Clearing browser cache

Web browsers are designed to download web pages and store them locally on your computer's hard drive in an area called the 'cache'.

This is normally used when re-visiting a web page so that the information on it loads quicker than the first time you visited.

Information stored in the cache can include images, sounds, web pages and even cookies. Once the cache has filled up, your computer's performance can slow down, so it's advisable that you regularly clear the cache for better performance.

To clear your browser's cache, follow the steps below:

Apple Mac

1. Safari 1.0
2. Internet Explorer
3. Firefox

1. Internet Explorer 7.0
2. Internet Explorer 6.0 and earlier
3. Firefox

Safari 1.0

1. Open Safari.

2. Click on Safari in the upper toolbar and select Empty Cache:

3. Click Empty:

4. Restart the browser.

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Internet Explorer

1. Open Internet Explorer.

2. Click Edit in the upper toolbar and select Preferences:

3. Carry out the steps below to clear the browser cache:

1. Click the arrow beside Web Browser.
2. Click Advanced.
3. Click Empty Now.
4. Click OK.
5. Restart the browser.

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Firefox

1. Open Firefox.

2. Click on Firefox in the upper toolbar and select Preferences:

3. Carry out the steps below to clear the browser cache:

1. Click the Privacy icon.
2. Click Clear across from the Cache option.
3. Click OK.
4. Exit and re-open the browser.

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Internet Explorer 6.0 and earlier

1. Open Internet Explorer.

2. Click View in the upper toolbar:

3. Click Internet Options:

1. Click the General tab.
2. Click Delete Files under Temporary Internet Files.
3. Check Delete all offline content.
4. Click OK on the Delete Files dialog box.
5. Click OK.
6. Restart the browser.

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Internet Explorer 7.0

1. Open Internet Explorer.

2. Click Tools in the upper toolbar or click on the Tools icon to open Internet Options:

3. Click the General tab.

4. Click Delete under Browsing History:

5. Click Delete Files under Temporary Internet Files.

6. Click Yes on the Delete Files dialog box.

1. Click Close and then OK.
2. Restart the browser.

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Firefox

1. Open Firefox.

2. Click Tools in the View upper toolbar and select Options:

3. Click the Privacy Icon:

1. Select the Cache tab.
2. Click Clear Cache now.
3. Click OK.
4. Restart the browser.

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This page last updated 19th March 2008

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