What clearing your browser actually does
Clearing your browser means deleting the files and data your web browser has stored on your computer. When you visit websites, your browser saves copies of images, text, and login information so pages load faster next time. Over time, this stored data can slow your browser down, cause websites to load incorrectly, or leave traces of where you've been. Clearing removes these files and resets your browser to a cleaner state.
The three main things you can clear are cache (temporary copies of web pages), cookies (login information and site preferences), and history (a list of websites you've visited). You can clear all three at once or pick which ones to remove. Most people clear everything when their browser is acting slow or buggy, or when they want to erase their browsing record before handing off a computer.
Key Takeaways
- Cache is temporary files that make websites load faster; clearing it frees up storage space and can fix pages that display incorrectly.
- Cookies store your login information and site preferences; clearing them logs you out of websites and removes targeted ads tracking.
- History is a list of every website you visited; clearing it removes that record from your browser but does not hide your activity from your internet provider.
- The steps to clear your browser differ slightly between Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, but all take less than one minute.
- You can set your browser to clear automatically when you close it, so you do not have to do it manually each time.
How to clear your browser in Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select "Settings" from the menu. On the left side, click "Privacy and security," then click "Clear browsing data." A window will pop up showing what you can delete: Cookies and other site data, Cached images and files, and Browsing history are the most common options. Make sure the time range at the top is set to "All time" if you want to clear everything, or pick a specific date range. Check the boxes next to what you want to remove, then click "Clear data."
If you want Chrome to clear automatically every time you close it, go back to Settings, click "Privacy and security," then turn on "Clear cookies and site data when you quit Chrome." This way you do not have to remember to clear manually.
How to clear your browser in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner. Select "Settings" from the menu. On the left side, click "Privacy & Security." Under "Cookies and Site Data," click "Clear Data." A window will appear with two options: "Cookies and Site Data" and "Cached Web Content." Check both boxes if you want to remove everything, then click "Clear." To also delete your browsing history, go back to the same menu and click "History," then "Clear Recent History." Choose "Everything" from the time range dropdown, make sure "Browsing & read History" is checked, and click "Clear Now."
To make Firefox clear automatically, go back to Settings and under "History," select "Firefox will use custom settings for history." Check the box that says "Clear history when Firefox closes."
How to clear your browser in Safari
Open Safari and click "Safari" in the menu bar at the very top of your screen. Select "Clear History" from the dropdown. A window will ask how far back you want to clear—choose "all history" to remove everything. Click "Clear History." This removes your browsing history and cookies at the same time. To also clear cached files, go to Safari menu again, click "Preferences," then the "Privacy" tab. Click "Manage Website Data," select all the sites listed, and click "Remove."
To set Safari to clear automatically, go to Preferences, click the "Privacy" tab, and check the box that says "Remove all website data when quitting Safari."
How to clear your browser in Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select "Settings" from the menu. On the left side, click "Privacy, search, and services." Under "Clear browsing data," click "Choose what to clear." A window will show options for Browsing history, read history, Cookies and other site data, and Cached images and files. Select the time range at the top—"All time" clears everything. Check the boxes for what you want to remove and click "Clear now."
To make Edge clear automatically when you close it, stay in the Privacy settings and turn on "Clear browsing data" under "Clear browsing data." Then check "Choose what to clear every time you close the browser" and select which data types you want removed each time.
What happens when you clear your cache versus your cookies
Clearing your cache removes temporary copies of images, videos, and text from websites you visited. This frees up storage space on your computer and can fix problems where a website looks broken or outdated. The next time you visit that site, it will take a few seconds longer to load because your browser has to read everything fresh. After that, it will be fast again.
Clearing your cookies removes login information, so you will be logged out of every website. It also removes site preferences like your language choice or shopping cart contents. Some websites use cookies to track your activity and show you targeted ads; clearing cookies stops that tracking. However, clearing cookies does not hide your browsing from your internet provider or your employer if you are on a work network.
Clearing your history removes the list of websites you visited from your browser's menu. This does not erase your activity from your internet provider's records or from any website you logged into. It only removes the list that appears when you click the history button in your browser.
When you should clear your browser and when you should not
Clear your browser when it is running slowly, when websites are displaying incorrectly, or when you want to erase your browsing record before someone else uses your computer. Clearing is also useful if you are having trouble logging into a website—sometimes old cookies cause login problems, and clearing them fixes it. If you share a computer with family members or coworkers, clearing regularly keeps your browsing private from them.
Do not clear your browser if you want to keep your saved passwords and login information. Clearing cookies will log you out of websites, so you will have to type your password again next time. If you clear your cache right before a big read or video call, your browser will have to work harder because it does not have cached files to speed things up. If you are troubleshooting a website problem, clear your cache first before clearing cookies, because cookies are more likely to cause login issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does clearing my browser hide my activity from my internet provider?
No. Clearing your browser history, cache, and cookies only removes data stored on your computer. Your internet provider can still see every website you visit because that information passes through their network. To hide your activity from your provider, you would need to use a VPN (virtual private network), which is a separate tool.
Will I lose my saved passwords if I clear my browser?
Not usually. Passwords are stored separately from cookies and cache in most browsers. When you clear browsing data, you can uncheck the "Passwords" box to keep them. However, clearing cookies will log you out of websites, so you will need to enter your password again the next time you visit.
What is the difference between clearing cache and clearing cookies?
Cache stores temporary copies of images and text to make websites load faster. Cookies store login information and site preferences. Clearing cache frees up space and can fix display problems. Clearing cookies logs you out of websites and stops some tracking, but does not affect how fast pages load.
Can I clear my browser on my phone the same way?
The steps are similar but slightly different on phones. On iPhone Safari, go to Settings, scroll to Safari, and tap "Clear History and Website Data." On Android Chrome, tap the three dots, go to Settings, tap "Privacy," then "Clear browsing data." The options are the same; the menu locations are just different.
Should I clear my browser every day?
Not necessarily. Clearing once a month is usually enough for most people. If you share your computer, clear it more often. If you want privacy or your browser is running slowly, clear it weekly. You can also set your browser to clear automatically when you close it, so you do not have to think about it.