What is Cache?

Cache (pronounced cash) is the act of storing objects in Web browsers' memory so repeat downloading is unnecessary. This can dramatically speed up website browsing speed, however, since files are stored locally on your computer, you may not always be seeing the latest version of a page as your browser will only check at certain intervals if the page being requested has been changed. To ensure that you are viewing the very latest version of a web page, you can manually clear your web browser's cache, or use a program to clear the data for you.

A program to clear your browser's cache

I have used a program called CCleaner for years to clear PC browser cache. CCleanerThis handy (and free) utility also removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up hard disk space. You can download CCleaner by clicking the icon to the right.

How to manually clear your browser's cache

Below is step-by-step instructions on how to manually clear the cache of several popular web browsers.

Google Chrome

  1. On your browser toolbar, click Customize and control Google Chrome (3 dots in the upper/right corner).
  2. Mouse over History and select History.
  3. Click Clear browsing data.
  4. Use the menu at the top to select the amount of data that you want to delete (for example from: the beginning of time).
  5. Select the checkboxes for Browsing history, Cookies and Cached images and files.
  6. Click the Clear Browsing Data button.

Microsoft Edge

  1. On your browser toolbar, click More (3 dots).
  2. Under the Clear browsing data heading, click Choose what to clear.
  3. Select the checkboxes for Browsing history, Cookies and saved website data and Cached data and files.
  4. Click Clear.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 9/10/11

  1. Once your browser is open, from the Tools menu (gear icon in the upper/right corner), select Safety then Delete Browsing History...
  2. The default settings are acceptible (Preserve Favorites Website Data, Temporary Internet Files, Cookies, History, and Form Data are checked by default).
  3. Click Delete.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 8

  1. Once your browser is open, from the Safety menu, select Delete Browsing History...
  2. The default settings are acceptible (Preserve Favorites Website Data, Temporary Internet Files, Cookies, History, and Form Data are checked by default).
  3. Click Delete.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 6/7

  1. Once your browser is open, from the Tools menu, select Internet Options... .
  2. Choose the General tab.
  3. Under Browsing history, click Delete... .
  4. Next to Temporary Internet Files, click Delete files... .
  5. Click Close, and then click OK to exit.

Mozilla Firefox for Windows

  1. Once your browser is open, click the menu (3 lines in the upper/right corner).
  2. Select Options.
  3. Select Privacy & Security.
  4. Scroll down to Cached Web Content.
  5. Click Clear Now.

Apple Safari

  1. Click Safari in the upper left hand side of your screen. In the menu that appears, click Preferences.
  2. In the window that appears, click the Privacy tab. Click the button Remove All Website Data.
  3. Click Remove Now in the pop up window that appears.

Apple Safari (iPad)

  1. From the home screen, select Settings.
  2. Select Safari from the menu on the left.
  3. Select Clear Cookies and Data.
  4. (Optional) Select Clear History.

Opera

  1. Once your browser is open, select the Opera menu (upper/left corner).
  2. Select History.
  3. Click the Clear browsing data... button in the top/right corner.
  4. Select the checkboxes for Browsing history, Cookies and Cached images and files.
  5. Click Clear browsing data.