Why is there a need to clear browsing data/browser cache/history?
As content creators, we upload new info, change images, rearrange pages, fix typos, and so on. To check how the latest content appears online and make sure that it replaces previous content correctly in the web browser, we have to clear browsing data stored in the browser from before. If you don’t clear browsing data (cache/history) before revisiting a site, the browser might just show you what it has stored in memory from the previous visit.
How to clear browsing data
Press Ctrl + Shift + delete to open the browser’s clear data settings page:
In the Microsoft Edge example below, the Clear browsing data window shows the various data being stored.
In Google Chrome, the Clear browsing data window looks like this:
With Firefox, the Clear All History window looks like this:
In Opera, just like Chrome, the Clear browsing data window looks like this:
The next step to clear the data/history is to choose the Time range and check/tick the types of things to remove. You might choose the Time range `Everything,’ and then decide to remove all items except Passwords – which you might want your PC to remember. If you are using a public PC or another person’s PC, and you’d like to remove all browsing history, you can check/tick all items.
The final step is to click on the Clear Now or Clear data button.
After you clear the browser data, the next time you view a webpage online, you know that the browser is showing you the latest content, text, images, and so on.
Automatically empty browser cache/history
If you want the browser to clear all data automatically, you can go into the browser settings and choose for the browser to empty the browser cache/history every time you close it:
In Microsoft Edge, open the main menu (Alt + F), choose Settings, Privacy and services, and then Choose what to clear every time you close the browser.
On the next screen, you can toggle on and off which items you’d like to clear.
In Google Chrome, this option has gotten to be a little more challenging to find. Press Alt + F to open the main menu. Go into Settings – Advanced – Privacy and security – Site Settings – Cookies and site data – and then toggle on Clear cookies and site data when you quit Chrome.
In Firefox, press Alt + T to open the Tools menu, then press O or click on Options, then Privacy & Security, and then toggle Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed.
In Opera, press Alt + P to open the settings page. Then (just like Chrome), click on Advanced – Privacy & security – Site Settings – Cookies and site data, and then toggle Clear cookies and site data when you quit Opera.
Summary
There you have it. Most browsers should have an option to clear browsing data.
See also Web Browsers for Windows with Benchmarks, Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts, and Keyboard Shortcuts for Microsoft Edge.
Comment
Do you clear your browsing data? Do you have a quicker way of doing it? Let people know in the comments.
Grant is the webmaster here and a longtime PC enthusiast. He likes talking about computers and seeing other people enjoy theirs. When he’s not working or tinkering with this site, he enjoys playing Apex Legends. Grant lives in Japan as an English teacher and vegetable farmer.
