How to Clear Cache and Cookies from Popular Internet Browsers

Objective

Following these steps will clear the cache of your internet browser, which is an essential troubleshooting step for many web-related problems.

Environment

• Firefox
• Google Chrome
• Internet Explorer
• Microsoft Edge
• Safari
• Browser Settings Tool for EBS

Before You Begin

N/A

Steps

For Windows and macOS web browser specific steps how to clear cookies and cache select a link below to jump to instructions for that browser:

• Firefox
• Google Chrome
• Internet Explorer
• Microsoft Edge
• Safari
• Browser Settings Tool for EBS

Firefox

1. Click on the Application Menu button at the top-right corner of the browser
   • It looks like 3 horizontal lines
2. Click History
3. Click Clear Recent History
4. In the new window that opens, set the drop-down box for Time range to clear: to Everything
5. Expand the Details area if necessary by clicking on the arrow pointing downward. If it is already expanded it will point upward.
6. For the best results, we recommend checking the following items:
   • Cookies
   • Cache
   • Active Logins
7. Click Clear Now
8. Close all browser sessions and restart your browser

For more detailed information, please visit: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/delete-browsing-search-download-history-firefox (link).

Back to Top

Google Chrome

1. Click on the menu, the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the browser.
2. Hover over History and select History
3. On the new tab that opens, click the Clear browsing data option on the left side of the screen
4. In the new window that opens, set the Time range drop-down box to All time
5. Check the checkboxes for:
   • Cookies and other site data
   • Cached images and files
6. Click the Clear data button
7. Close all browser sessions and restart your browser.

For more detailed information, please visit: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95589?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en (link).

Back to Top

Internet Explorer

1. Select the gear-shaped icon in the top right corner of the browser
2. Hover over Safety
3. Click Delete browsing history...
4. In the new window, ensure that "Temporary Internet files", "Cookies", and "History" are checked. Ensure "Preserve Favorites website data" is not checked. Select any other options as desired.
5. Click the Delete button at the bottom.
   • This step may take a moment.  When complete, a bar will pop up at the bottom of the screen saying "Internet Explorer has finished deleting the selected browsing history."
6. Close all browser sessions and restart your browser

For more detailed information, please visit https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17438/windows-internet-explorer-view-delete-browsing-history (link).

Back to Top

Microsoft Edge

1. In your browser, select Favorites > History
2. Select Clear History
3. Select the types of data you want to remove from your computer. For best results, we recommend checking the checkboxes for:
   • Cookies and saved website data
   • Cached data and files
   • Tabs I've set aside or recently closed
4. Select Clear
5. Close all browser sessions and restart your browser

For more detailed information, please visit https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/10607/microsoft-edge-view-delete-browser-history (link).

Back to Top

Safari

1. Click on Safari from the menu bar along the top of the screen.
2. Select Settings
3. Select the Privacy tab along the top of the new window
4. Click the Manage Website Data... button
5. Click the Remove All button
6. Click the Remove Now button when prompted
7. Click Done
8. Close the preferences window that will still be open
9. Click on History from the menu bar along the top of the screen
10. Select Clear History...
11. Select the time range to clear from the drop-down box. For best results, we recommend selecting all history
12. Click the Clear History button
13. Close all browser sessions and restart your browser

For more detailed information, please visit:

• https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/clear-your-browsing-history-sfri47acf5d6/mac (link), or
• https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/manage-cookies-and-website-data-sfri11471/mac (link).

Back to Top

Browser Settings tool

MSU's Human Resources team created the following Browser Settings tool which provides instructions how to clear multiple settings, including cookies and cache, for various web browsers. It is especially useful for troubleshooting browser issues in the EBS system.

• https://hr.msu.edu/ebshelp/your-computer/HR_Settings.html (link).

Back to Top

Additional Info

N/A