Lanier Technical College

Why Clear Cache and Cookies?

Clearing the cache and cookies from a web browser is an important first-step for almost any troubleshooting for internet browsing. The 'cache' is a tool used by your internet browser to speed up the page loading process. However, sometimes it can cause a problem when websites are updated and developed as files saved in the cache may conflict with what's actually coded into the website. Clearing cache and cookies is a way we can be sure that any issues you may come across are actually something wrong with the website, rather than inconsistencies caused by using different browsers.

Keyboard Shortcut for Most Browsers

If you are using Internet Explorer, Edge, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox you can quickly clear cache with a keyboard shortcut. While in your browser, press Ctrl + Shift + Delete simultaneously on the keyboard to open the appropriate window.

IMPORTANT: Be sure and close/quit the browser and restart it after clearing the cache and cookies.

GOOGLE CHROME

1. Click the Tools menu (three dotted lines in the upper-right corner).
2. Select History. 

4. If on a Windows computer, close and re-open Chrome to save your changes. If on an Apple computer, go to the Chrome menu on the top menu bar and select Quit for the changes to take effect.

MOZILLA FIREFOX

1. Click on the Tools bar (three bars in the top-right corner).
2. Click History.

     3. On the menu to the right, select Clear Recent History.

     4. In the Clear All History menu, select the time range to Everything.
5. Select the options, Cookies, Cache, Active Logins, Site settings, and Offline website data.

6. Click OK.
7. If on a Windows computer, close and re-open Firefox to save your changes. If on an Apple computer, go to the Firefox menu on the top menu bar and select Quit for the changes to take effect.

SAFARI FOR macOS

1. Click on Safari on the top menu bar.
2. Click Settings.

3. Click the Privacy tab.
4. Click Manage Website Data...

5. Click Remove All.
6. Click Remove Now.

7. Go to the Safari menu on the top menu bar.
8. Select Quit to close Safari and save your changes.

MICROSOFT EDGE FOR WINDOWS 10

1. Click the Tools menu (three dotted lines in the upper-right corner), and open the Settings menu.

2. Click Privacy, search, and services on the left-side menu.
3. Under the section Clear browsing data, Click Choose what to clear.

4. Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
5. Click Clear Now.

6. Close Microsoft Edge completely for your changes to take effect.

SAFARI OF IOS

1. Go to the Settings app on your device.
2. Scroll down to the Safari menu.
3. Scroll down and select Clear History and Website Data.

4. A pop-up will come up verifying that you want to clear the History and Data. Select Clear History and Data.

5. The button for Clear History and Website Data will turn gray when cache and cookies have been successfully cleared.

WINDOWS 11

The settings menu in Windows 11 has a built-in tool for clearing the cache. It lets you delete the same files that the older Disk Cleanup tool does, but with a modern look.

To begin, open Settings and go to System > Storage > Temporary Files.

In the Temporary Files menu, you’ll see several types of files you can delete. Check the boxes for the categories you want cleared, then click the “Remove Files” button

Windows will ask if you’re sure you want to delete those files. If you are sure, click “Continue,” and your cache will be cleared.

MICROSOFT STORE

Like other apps, Microsoft Store also stores cache files on your PC. To remove these files, you will have to run a utility from the Run box.

To do so, first, open the Run box by pressing Windows+R keys together.

In the Run box, type the following and press Enter:

A blank black window will appear on your screen. Wait for this window to automatically close.

When the window closes, your Microsoft Store cache is removed.