Clearing Browser Cache

Web browsers store copies of pages in the browser cache ("memory") on your computer. By doing this, the page displays faster the next time it is viewed since the browser doesn't have to retrieve it from the web server. Sometimes, however, an update is made on the website that you don't see because the cached page is displayed.

Normally, to see the changes on your page, you click the Refresh or Reload button on the browser toolbar or the F5 key on your keyboard. In some cases, this simply reloads the page from the cache instead of retrieving it from the web server.
Below are some techniques to totally clear the browser's cache so you will see the changes when your page reloads.


Microsoft Internet Explorer
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/
  • Hold down Shift and select the Refresh button on the toolbar
  • For Serious Clearing: If you are having problems clearing out the cache, then force it by choosing from the menu Tools > Internet Options> Temporary Files. Select Delete Temporary Files. You can choose the checkbox to delete all Internet files, but you might not want to, as that will also clear all your passwords and cookies, but if you are having trouble viewing the changes on your page, go all the way.


Firefox
http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/
  • Hold down SHIFT and select the Reload button on the toolbar
OR
  • Hold down CTRL and press F5 on the keyboard
OR
  • Using the FireFox Web Developer Extension (add-on), select Miscellaneous and then Clear Cache
For Serious Clearing: From the browser menu, select Tools > Options > Privacy > Cache and select Clear



Mozilla 1.x and up
http://www.mozilla.org/products/mozilla1.x/
  • Hold down SHIFT and select the Reload button on the toolbar
OR
  • Hold down CTRL and press F5 on the keyboard
  • For Serious Clearing: Select Edit > Preferences > Advanced and select Cache and Clear Cache

Netscape
http://browser.netscape.com/
  • Hold down Shift and select the Refresh button on the toolbar
  • For Serious Clearing: Select Edit > Preferences > Advanced. Choose Cache and select both Clear Memory Cache and Clear Disk Cache.
Opera
http://www.opera.com/
  • Hold down Shift and select the Reload button on the toolbar
For Serious Clearing: Select Edit > File > Preferences > History and Cache and select Cache.


Safari
http://www.apple.com/safari/
  • Select Safari > Reset Safari and click Reset to confirm
OR
  • Select Safari > Empty Cache.

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