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, videos, and text so pages load faster next time. It also stores login information, passwords, and a record of everywhere you've been. Clearing removes all of that.
Most people clear their browser for one of three reasons: to free up storage space on a slow computer, to remove login information before handing the device to someone else, or to fix a website that loads incorrectly. You do not need to clear your browser regularly unless one of those situations applies to you.
The process takes about two minutes and is the same basic steps across Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge — the four most common browsers. The exact menu names change slightly, but the concept is identical on all of them.
Key Takeaways
- Clearing your browser removes saved passwords, login information, and your browsing history, so websites will not remember you until you log in again.
- You can choose what to delete — history only, cookies only, or everything at once — depending on what you are trying to fix.
- The process is different on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, but each one takes less than two minutes once you find the right menu.
- Clearing your browser does not delete files you downloaded or emails in your inbox — it only removes data the browser itself stored.
How to clear your browser on Chrome
Open Chrome and look at the top right corner of the window. Click the three vertical dots (called the menu button). A dropdown list will appear. Near the top, you will see "Settings" — click that.
On the left side of the Settings page, click "Privacy and security." Then click "Clear browsing data." A box will pop up asking what time period you want to clear. The dropdown at the top says "All time" by default, which deletes everything. If you only want to clear the last day or week, click that dropdown and choose a different option.
Below the time period, you will see checkboxes for different types of data. "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files" are usually checked. Leave them checked unless you have a reason not to. Then click the blue "Clear data" button at the bottom right of the box. Chrome will delete the selected data in a few seconds.
How to clear your browser on Firefox
Open Firefox and look at the top right corner. Click the three horizontal lines (the menu button). A dropdown will appear. Click "Settings."
On the left side, click "Privacy & Security." Scroll down until you see a section called "Cookies and Site Data." Click the button that says "Clear Data." A small box will appear. Make sure both "Cookies and Site Data" and "Cached Web Content" are checked. Then click "Clear" in the bottom right of that box.
If you want to clear your history as well, go back to the "Privacy & Security" page and scroll up to the "History" section. Click "Clear History." Choose "Everything" from the dropdown, make sure "Browsing & read History" is checked, and click "Clear Now."
How to clear your browser on Safari
Open Safari. At the very top of your screen (not inside the Safari window, but at the top of your Mac), click "Safari" in the menu bar. A dropdown will appear. Click "Clear History."
A box will pop up asking how far back you want to clear. Choose "all history" from the dropdown. Then click "Clear History." Safari will delete your browsing history when ready.
To also clear cookies and cached files, go back to the Safari menu and click "Preferences." Click the "Privacy" tab. On the right side, click "Manage Website Data." A list of websites will appear. Click "Remove All" at the bottom right, then confirm by clicking "Remove Now."
How to clear your browser on Edge
Open Microsoft Edge and look at the top right corner. Click the three dots (the menu button). A dropdown will appear. Click "Settings."
On the left side, click "Privacy, search, and services." Under "Clear browsing data," click the button that says "Choose what to clear." A box will pop up. Make sure "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files" are checked. At the top, you can choose the time period — "All time" clears everything. Click "Clear now" when you are ready.
What gets deleted and what stays
When you clear your browser, you are only deleting data that the browser itself stored. Your downloaded files, emails, documents, and photos remain untouched. The browser will not remember your passwords or which websites you visited, but your actual files are safe.
After you clear your browser, websites will treat you like a new visitor. If you were logged into Gmail, Facebook, or your bank, you will be logged out. The next time you visit those sites, you will need to enter your username and password again. This is normal and expected.
Some websites may load slightly slower the first time you visit them after clearing, because the browser no longer has cached copies of the images and files. This slowdown is temporary — after you visit the site once, it will cache those files again and load normally.
When you should clear your browser
Clear your browser if a website is not loading correctly or looks broken. Sometimes a cached file becomes corrupted, and clearing forces the browser to read a fresh copy. This fixes the problem in about half of all cases where a website looks wrong.
Clear your browser before you let someone else use your computer, especially if you have saved passwords or login information. This prevents them from accessing your email, bank account, or social media without your permission.
Clear your browser if your computer is running slowly and you have not restarted it in a while. Cached files can take up several gigabytes of space on older machines. Clearing them sometimes speeds things up noticeably, though restarting your computer usually helps more.
You do not need to clear your browser on a schedule. Clearing it weekly or monthly does not improve performance or security if you are the only person using the computer. Clear it only when you have a specific reason.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing my browser delete my saved passwords?
It depends on which box you check. When you clear browsing data, you will see a checkbox for "Passwords and other sign-in data" or similar wording. If that box is checked, your saved passwords will be deleted. If you uncheck it, your passwords stay. Most people leave it unchecked unless they are clearing before handing the computer to someone else.
Can I clear just my history without clearing cookies?
Yes. When the clear data box appears, uncheck "Cookies and other site data" and leave only "Browsing history" checked. This removes the list of websites you visited but keeps websites remembering you. The exact checkbox names vary by browser, but all four browsers let you choose what to delete.
What if I clear my browser and a website still does not work?
Restart your computer. If the website still does not load correctly after that, the problem is likely on the website's end, not your browser. Try the website on a different device or browser to confirm. If it works elsewhere, contact the website's support team.
Does clearing my browser protect my privacy?
It removes your browsing history from your computer, but it does not hide your activity from your internet service provider or the websites you visit. If privacy is your concern, use your browser's private or incognito mode when you browse, which does not save history at all. Clearing your browser after the fact is too late to hide where you have been.
How much storage space will I free up by clearing my browser?
Usually between 100 megabytes and 2 gigabytes, depending on how long it has been since you last cleared and how many websites you visit. On older computers with small hard drives, this can make a noticeable difference. On newer computers with large storage, the difference is usually small.