How to Clear Your Browser's Cache

Every web browser stores a cache of the websites you visit (e.g. HTML pages, images) to reduce bandwidth usage and server load. This is called the browser's cache. Clearing it occasionally can free up space on your computers hard drive if it's running low. Since every browser is different, the following sections will outline the steps involved in clearing the cache for several popular web browsers. February 27th is National Clear your Browser's Cache day; although you should do it more than once per year.

Web Browsers:

•  2 type Internet Explorer

            Internet Explorer 8

            Internet Explorer 7

• 3 Firefox

          Firefox 3.5/ 3.6/ 4.0

          Firefox  1.5/ 2.0/ 3.0

• Google Crome
• 2 Safari

          Safari for Mac OS X

          Safari for Windows

• Opera
• Mozilla Sea Monkey
• Konqueror

Note: IE8 has a "feature" which retains some cookies even after you clear your cache if you do not UNCHECK the "Preserve Favorites Website Data." If you truly need to clear your cache, you will want to uncheck this!

• INTERNET EXPLORER 8

Once your browser is open, click the Tools menu. Or, optionally you may simply press Ctrl-Shift-Delete to open the Delete Browsing History window (and skip step 2)

Click Tools

Click on Delete Browsing History...

Select Temporary Internet Files.

Click the Delete button near the bottom of the window to delete your temporary files (i.e. clear your cache).

If you want the browser to automatically clear the cache whenever you close it, click the Advanced tab. Click to check the box next to the Empty Temporary Internet Files folder when browser is closed option (in the section labeled Security). Click OK. This will delete everything except cookies.

• INTERNET EXPLORER 7

Open IE 7 and click the Tools menu. Click the Delete Browsing History link at the top.

Under the Temporary Internet Files