Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

Tags cache cookies

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Context

Cookies are small files downloaded to your computer when visiting a website. They can retain information regarding a user's previous activity on that site and preferences to allow for quick retrieval when revisiting the site.

What is a Browser Cache? 

When you access files through the web, the browser cache allows browsers to retain website data to enable faster viewing on future visits. By retaining a local copy of some website data, a browser can load some information from pages you have previously visited without downloading that data again, thus enabling faster load times.

We recommend the following for instructions to clear your browser's cache and cookies. If you need additional assistance clearing your cache and cookies, contact the Help Desk.

Quick Keyboard Commands

  • Windows – Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, & Microsoft Edge: Control + Shift + Delete will bring up the settings panel for clearing your browser's cache.
  • Mac OSX – Chrome & Firefox: Command + Shift + Delete will bring up the settings panel for clearing your browser's cache.
  • Mac OSX – Safari: Command + Option + E will immediately clear your browser's cache without bringing up a settings panel.

Clearing Cache and Cookies

Safari (Mac)

  • On your Mac's Safari app, choose History > Clear history, then click the pop-up menu.
  • Choose how far back you want your browsing history cleared.

Google Chrome (Windows and Mac)

  • Open Chrome.
  • At the top right, click the Three dots icon (...) > Clear browsing data.

Clear browsing data option in More tools.

  • For the "Time range", select All time from the drop-down menu.

Time range to clear browsing data.

  • Check the boxes next to Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
  • Click Clear data.

Option to check the types of data to be cleared.

Mozilla Firefox (Windows and Mac)

  • Click on the Menu icon to open the menu panel > History.

Option to point to History.

  • Select Clear recent history....

Clear recent history option to delete required data.

  • For the "Time range to clear," select Everything from the drop-down menu.

Time range to clear recent history.

  • Check the boxes next to Cookies and Cache > Clear Now.

Types of data to be cleared.

Microsoft Edge (Windows and Mac)

  • Select the three dot icon (...) and click on Settings.

Going to Settings in Microsoft Edge.

  • Select Privacy, search, and services from the left side panel.

Privacy, search, and services option.

  • Under "Clear browsing data", select Choose what to clear located next to "Clear browsing data now".
  • For the "Time range," select All Time from the drop-down menu.
  • Check the boxes next to Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files > Clear Now.

Time range for data to be cleared.

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