Deleting a web browser cache, or temporary Internet files, is widely used by Internet surfers who want to hide their browsing history from others. Of course, there is an option to delete your Internet history, but it is incomplete without clearing out the browser cache.

Even if you don’t care about erasing your browsing history for privacy reasons, it’s still helpful to delete your browser cache occasionally.

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Browser cache refers to images from web pages that your device saves to assist in faster loading of pages from the same website in the future. Many sites use images like logos or other pictures on multiple pages across the site.

These images come in handy the next time you attempt to open a URL from that site, as cache supplies them immediately, thereby improving page load speed and saving a lot of data transfer bytes.

Websites are often updated, either with new content or behind-the-scenes programming for improved functionality. If your cache conflicts with the live content, it can cause glitches in a site’s functionality or hinder you from seeing fresh content.

Clearing out your cache facilitates a smooth functioning browser and Internet experience.

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Here’s the step-by-step process to delete the browser cache in a few popular browsers.

How to delete the browser cache in Google Chrome (v23+)

Chrome became the most popular browser within four years of its launch. Since it boasts a consistent user interface, the procedure is pretty much the same in all the versions.

(1) Look for control menu icon

Control menu icon in chrome

In the top right corner of your browser, you'll find three horizontal lines stacked on top of each other, which is quickly becoming a universal menu icon. (This icon replaced the wrench symbol used in earlier versions of Chrome.) Click on that icon.

(2) Click on settings

settings option in chrome

A drop-down menu will appear. Look for “Settings” in the menu and click on it.

(3) Go to advanced settings

advanced settings in chrome

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Chrome will open the Settings options in a new tab. Click on the “Show advanced settings” link at the bottom of the “Settings” window.

(4) Click on clear browsing data

clear browser data

Under the title “Privacy”, click on the “Clear browsing data” button.

(5) Click the browser cache checkbox

browser cache checkbox in chrome

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The background will fade and a small window will open titled “Clear browsing data”, containing the list of different kinds of data to be removed.

Click in the checkbox next to ‘Cached images and files’, so there is a checkmark showing next to it. Select or deselect other items the same way, depending on your needs.

(6) Select the time range

cache time range in chrome

Near the top of this window, look at the drop-down menu next to the label that says “Obliterate the following items from:” and select the desired time range. To completely clear out your browser cache, you’ll need to select “the beginning of time”.

(7) Clear the cache

Clear browsing data button in chrome

Click on the “Clear browsing data” button to delete the cache.

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The Shortcut Method

ctrl alt delete shortcut in keyboard

A shortcut to open the “Clear browsing data” window is to simply press “Ctrl+Shift+Delete” on your keyboard. Then, follow the process described above to delete your cache.

How to delete the browser cache in Mozilla Firefox (v40+)

Known for its superior speed and impeccable data privacy, Firefox is quite the favorite of connoisseurs across the globe. Deleting its cache works as a nitro boost to an already superior speed.

Irrespective of the version you are using, there is one basic key to deleting cache. You have to locate the “Option” button. The button may shift from left to right, but the actual process is remarkably similar.

Even if you are using an older version of Firefox, this tutorial will solve your problem.

(1) Look for menu icon

Menu icon in firefox

In the top right corner of the browser, just like Chrome, you will find three horizontal lines stacked on top of each other, which is quickly becoming a universal menu icon. (In previous versions of Firefox, the top left corner of the browser had a button labelled “Firefox” with a down arrow that served a similar function.) Click on the menu icon.

(2) Go to options

options in firefox

A graphical menu will drop down. Select “Options”, depicted by a gear. (Even if your version is older, look for “Options” in the drop-down menu.)

(3) The options window/tab

options window firefox

The Options window will open in a new tab. (If you are using an older version, Options will appear in a pop-up window.)

(4) Go to advanced

advanced option firefox

Go to the “Advanced” section in the “Options”. In the older versions, the step remains the same. Look for the “gear” symbol.

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(5) Click on network

network option firefox

In the Advanced section, click on the “Network” tab. Same in the older versions.

(6) Clear the cache

clear cache firefox

On the Network tab, you will find a subtitle Cached Web Content. It will show you the amount of web content stored as cache in your device. To the right of the data figure, there is a button labeled “Clear Now”. Click on that button. Same in the older versions.

(7) Cache is cleared

cache cleared firefox

When your cache is cleared out, the data figure will show as ‘0 bytes’.

Older Version of Firefox

cache clear option in firefox

In the older versions, the step remains the same.
(1) Look for the “gear” symbol named as "Advanced".
(2) Click on that and go to the “Network” tab.
(3) On the "Network" tab, you will find a subtitle "Cached Web Content". It will show you the amount of web content stored as cache in your device.
(4) To the right of the data figure, there is a button labeled "Clear Now". Click on that button to clear the browser cache.

The Shortcut Method

Firefox has a shortcut to deleting cache and other stored information.

Please note: The keyboard shortcut doesn't work if you are using a ‘private’ browsing window.

(1) Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete

ctrl alt delete shortcut in keyboard

Like in other web browsers, you can use the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl+Shift+Delete” in Firefox.

cache clear firefox

A popup window titled Clear Recent History will appear. Click the arrow next to “Details” to display the various types of history data that you can choose to delete.

(2) Click on cache checkbox

cache checkbox firefox

Select the “Cache” check box so a checkmark appears next to it. Deselect or select any other option depending on your needs.

(3) Select the time range

timerange cache firefox

At the top of the window, click on the drop-down menu next to the label “Time range to clear”. To completely clear out your cache, select “Everything”.

(4) Clear the cache

clear cache firefox

Click on the “Clear Now” button to delete the cache.

How to delete the browser cache in Internet Explorer (v9+)

Internet Explorer is Microsoft’s flagship product that, although it was once the leader of web browsers, is now probably the most ridiculed. You can test the veracity of this statement in social media or online forums. Due to its sluggish speed, deleting the cache can be an interim solution for faster browsing and overall performance. In Internet Explorer, cache is called “Temporary Internet Files”.

(1) Find the tools icon

Tools icon in IE browser

Click on the gear-shaped “Tools” icon in the top right corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will open.

(2) Go to safety

Safety option IE

Place the cursor on the “Safety” option, which has a sideways pointing arrow adjacent to the word. Another sub-menu will appear showing the Safety tools.

(3) Select delete browsing history

Delete browsing history in Internet Explorer

In the sub-menu, select the option “Delete browsing history”.

(4) Delete browsing history window

Delete Browsing History window in IE

A small Delete Browsing History window will pop out.

(5) Delete the cache (temporary internet files)

delete Temporary Internet files in IE

Click the checkbox next to “Temporary Internet files and website files” so a checkmark shows next to it.

click on delete button

Select or deselect other options depending on your needs. Then, click on the “Delete” button.

The Shortcut Method

ctrl alt delete shortcut in keyboard

There is a shortcut method to open the Delete Browsing History window. Press “Ctrl+Shift+Delete” on your keyboard to open the window, then follow the process described above to delete your cache.

How to delete the browser cache in Opera (v 16+)

Popularly known as the browser that introduced the Tabbed Document Interface, Opera has many features to boast about, but this is not one of them.

There was a time when Opera was the hottest thing in the browsing market because tabs made browsing easier for web users and it delivered great browsing speed.

(1) Find the control menu icon

Control menu icon in Opera

Click on the button labelled “Opera” in the top left corner of the screen.

(2) Go to settings

settings in opera

A drop-down menu will appear. Look for the “Settings” option and click on it.

(3) Go to privacy and security

Privacy and security option in opera

A "Settings” page will open, and you will see that the Browser section (on the left side of the screen) is selected by default. Click on the “Privacy & security” section.

(4) Select clear browsing data

clear browsing data

Under Privacy, click on the button labeled “Clear browsing data”.

(5) Click on empty the cache checkbox

Empty the cache checkbox in opera

Select the checkbox next to “Empty the cache” so a checkmark appears. Deselect or select other options depending on your needs.

(6) Select the time range

history time range opera

At the top of the window, open the drop-down menu next to the label “Obliterate the following items from”. To completely clear out your cache, select “the beginning of time”.

(7) Clear the cache

Clear the cache button in opera

Click on the “Clear browsing data” button near the bottom of the window to delete your cache.

The Shortcut Method

ctrl alt delete shortcut in keyboard

Like all the other browsers, you can use the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl+Shift+Delete” to open the Clear Browsing Data window directly. Then, follow the process described above to delete your cache.

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