How to clear the browser cache in 7 easy steps
What is the cache for and is it worth clearing out? How often should it be done? You will find all the answers that you need in this article, and will understand this topic completely. A 7-step step-by-step guide will tell you what to do to clear the cache in your browser. Are you ready to explore? Then start with question number 1.
What is cache and why is it needed?
The cache is what helps to optimize work and surfing the Internet.
The word means hiding place. It saves all copies of previously opened pages, videos and pictures. And on the next visit, your browser has to spend less time downloading them, only doing so if necessary, and adding any new information automatically. This approach reduces the load on the Internet connection.
All materials are copied to the hard disk in a folder called "Cache". If it is overloaded, the web pages will not display correctly. It is at this point that one might need to clear the browser cache.
What happens when I clear my browser's cache?
When you do so, it deletes all the files in memory, and completely cleans your browser. Not only will graphical files be removed, but – depending on your settings – also all stored data, autocomplete data, site settings, and other information. The most important information that you can lose are your logins and passwords, and it is best if you write these down somewhere in advance, since they will all be deleted.
For example, generally speaking, if you want to enter a mail account or social network, you just have to click enter. However, if you clear your browser's cache, you will have to enter your login data once again for each site that you use. Also, sites that are loading again for the first time will take a longer time to load. Webpages can also show an updated design that your browser's cache was preventing you from seeing before.
The main thing is to be careful about which options you check when deleting your browser's cache – and do not choose those options that delete all data. These options differ for each browser. The next section of this article will help you figure out this process.
How do I clear the cache?
All browsers have a cache clearing feature. But its location is different for each one.
Yandex Browser
1. Go to the start page;
2. Find the main menu (an icon with 3 stripes, in the upper right corner);
3. Stop at the item "Additional";
4. Click on the line "Clear history";
5. Select a period (if you want to remove all the cache that has accumulated in the browser, “For all time” will do);
6. Put a tick in the desired item ("Clear cache") and remove unnecessary ones ("Autofill form data", "Content settings");
7. Click - "Clear"
Done.
Reference! To quickly open the "Clear History" window, you can use the hotkeys - Ctrl + Shift + Del (for Windows) and Shift + ⌘ + Backspace (for macOS).
Internet Explorer
Use the following instructions for this browser:
1. Open the start page;
2. Find the "Service" icon (in the shape of a gear);
3. Go to the line "Security" (for version 9 of Internet Explorer the name is "Properties" instead);
4. Select "Delete browser history";
5. Put a tick in front of the item "Temporary Internet and Website Files", and do not select "Form Data" or "Passwords");
6. To completely clear the cache, select "For all time";
7. Click on the "Delete" button.
Reference! When using a public computer, regularly deleting your browser history helps maintain your privacy.
Microsoft Edge
This browser is for Windows 10. Clearing the cache is very easy:
1. Go to the start page;
2. Select the line "Settings" by clicking on the three dots in the panel on the right;
3. Go to the "Confidentiality" section;
4. Click on the button "Clear browser data";
5. In the window that opens, check the box " Temporary Internet and Website Files " (or "Cached data and files");
6. Designate the period - "For all time";
7. "Delete".
Attention! In different versions of the browser, the lines and buttons are named and look differently. Use the already mentioned combination Ctrl + Shift + Del. You will automatically open a browser data clearing window. Then follow the instructions from step 5.
Google Chrome
1. You need to start from the same start page;
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right, and find the item "Settings";
3. Select the line "Additional tools" (or "Show additional settings");
4. Click "Delete browsing data" (or "Clear browsing data" or "Clear history");
5. Put a tick in front of "Images and other files saved in the cache";
6. Indicate the period - "For all time";
7. Then simply press "Delete data" (or "Clear").
Mozilla Firefox
1. In this browser, you can also clear the cache in a few steps.
1. if you have a start page open, find the icon with 3 horizontal stripes - this is the "Menu";
2. go to the "Settings" item, and select the "Privacy and Security" section;
3. The next thing you will see is the line "Cookies and site data". Click;
4. On the right is the "Delete data" button;
5. Check the box next to the "Cached Web Content";
6. Set "For all time";
7. Click Delete.
Done.
Opera
There are only 6 steps for this browser. Follow the instructions:
1. Ppen the start page and find the icon in the form of the letter "O" (or "Operа");
2. Go to the line "History";
3. Click the "Clear browsing history" button;
4. If you want to clear the entire cache, then select the period - "For all time";
5. Check "Cached images and files";
6. Select "Delete data" (or "Clear").
However, some versions of Opera have different initial steps. Option 2:
1. Go to the Menu (in the upper left corner);
2. Open the "Settings" item;
3. Find the line "Security" on the left;
4. Go to the "Confidentiality" section;
5. Click "Clear";
6. Select a time period and check the box next to the item about the cache.
Important! Leave only this item checked to clear the browser cache. Be careful not to delete all your required data.
Safari
1. Mac users should also start from the start page;
2. Find the "Safari" button on the top menu bar;
3. Click on the line "Settings";
4. Go to the "Additional" section;
5. A window will appear on the screen with the item "Show Development menu" - tick it;
6. At the top of the panel you will see the "Development" icon - click on it;
7. Select the line "Clear caches".
Done
Reference! Hotkeys also help bring up the menu. Just press Ctrl + Shift + Del (for Windows) and Shift + ⌘+ Backspace (for macOS).
How often should you clear the cache?
This is an optional procedure. Today's computers are very powerful, with plenty of memory, powerful processors, and automatic clearing of the cache when a specified limit is reached. But clearing the cache can still be useful if the clipboard is overloaded. Therefore, it is worth it to periodically clean the cache to speed up the computer.
The pros of this approach:
· Sites, pictures, videos, etc. start loading faster;
· Web resources visited by the user will remain unknown.
Regular cleaning for people who work with large amounts of code, media files, etc. (for example, web developers) is advised at least once a month.
For ordinary users who do not use the Internet to this extent, such a cleaning is needed once every 4-5 months.
Reference! In any browser, you can configure the cache limits. On reaching them, the browser will then update the clipboard itself. Therefore, manual cleaning is not necessary.
You have learned that:
· Cache optimizes workflow on the Internet, as it copies the pages that you visited. This helps to reduce the load on your internet connection.
· If you intend to completely clear your cache, it is worth writing down all your passwords and logins in a separate place.
· Regular clearing of the cache is useful for people working with large media files and code - once every 2-3 months.
· For ordinary users, cleaning the cache may need to be done once every 4-5 months.
· To quickly open the cleanup window, you can use the hotkeys Ctrl + Shift + Del (for Windows) or Shift + ⌘ + Backspace (for macOS).
· In any browser, it is convenient to set limits for the cache. This allows the clipboard will update and clean up automatically.
Based on materials from the site https://hidemy.name/