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Clearing the Cache and Cookies in Internet browsers

Clearing your cache and cookies can significantly improve your browser's performance.  It is particularly helpful if you have persistent problems with pages not loading as expected when using databases.  These problems are often caused by your browser calling up old information from your cache or cookie folder.  Clearing them usually solves the problem.

Below are instructions for performing this task in the most common Windows browsers.

 

 

Internet Explorer 7+

 

  • Click on Tools | Internet Options
  • On the General tab, under Browsing history, click the Delete… button
  

  • Delete the Temporary Internet Files and Cookies
  • Click Close
  • Click OK
  • Close Internet Explorer, then re-open it
  
 

Internet Explorer 6.1+

 

  • Click on Tools | Internet Options 
  • Click on Delete Cookies…
  • Click on Delete files … (this may take some time)
  • Click OK
  • Close Internet Explorer, then re-open it
  

 Firefox 2+, 3+

 

  • Click on Tools | Options
  • Select Privacy
  • Click Show Cookies … button
  

  •  Click Remove All Cookies button
  

 
  • Select Advanced
  • Select Network tab
  • Click on Clear Now button in the Cache section (Note: in Firefox 3+, this is called Offline Storage)
  • Click OK
  • Close Firefox, then re-open it
  

 Firefox 1.5

  • Click on Tools | Options
  • Select Privacy
  • Select the Cookies tab, and click the Clear Cookies Now button
  
  • Select the Cache tab, and click the Clear Cache Now button 
  • Click OK
  • Close Firefox, and re-open
  

 Firefox 1.1

  • Click on Tools | Options
  • Select Privacy
  • Click the Clear button next to Cookies
  • Click the Clear button next to Cache
  • Click OK
  • Close Firefox, and re-open