Deleting Internet Cache and Cookies, and other Changeable Browser Items

On any of the 3 Browsers here referred to, Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, you can access History by opening the dialogue window - to remove history - with key combination Ctrl + Shift + Delete.

It is good practice to regularly clear most of your Cookies and your Cache. This makes way for more up to date versions of pages and your computers awareness of certain URLs with Cookies.

Cookie

An HTTP—Hypertext Transport Protocol: to do with websites—cookie, is a small piece of proprietary data, which works with a particular website only and is stored on the user's computer by the web browser while browsing a website. Cookies were designed to be a reliable mechanism for websites to remember stateful information, or to record the user's browsing activity.

Cache

The browser cache is nothing more than a place on your hard disk where the browser keeps things it downloaded for current usage. However, Internet pages change constantly, and you will need to chase out cached pages on a regular basis.

A computer works by downloading a set of pages, which make up a website. These are then viewed on your local client (your computer) with a local status (on your computer – not on a web server).

Because websites such as FamilySearch.org are in a constant mode of updating, with new information being added every second, on a global scale, it makes sense to work with an updated or as-current-as-can-be, set of web pages. So, do chase out cache on a regular basis and stay current!

Procedure

When you have a Browser window open in any browser, be it Chrome, Firefox, Edge or another:

• Press Ctrl + H on your keyboard.
• The History Tab will open.
• In the CHROME browser you will see a Clear Browsing Data link on the left of the screen.
• Click this link to open the Clear Browsing Data dialogue box.
• You will see 2 Tabs for Basic and for Advanced.

On the Basic Tab you have 3 options for clearing:

1. Browsing History
2. Cookies and other Site Data
3. Cached Images and Files

On the Advanced Tab you will see the following options:

1. Browsing History
2. Download History
3. Cookies and other site Data
4. Cached Images and Files
5. Passwords and other Sign-in Data
6. Auto-fill form data
7. Site Settings
8. Hosted App Data

Tick the associated Checkboxes for each of these options according to personal choice.

You will see under the Basic and Advanced Tabs a Time Range drop down list with 5 options:

1. Last hour
2. Last 24 hours
3. Last 7 days
4. Last 4 weeks
5. All Time

Make a choice and then click Clear Data.

However, be mindful NOT to remove anything of ongoing need and purpose. Your browser will be cleared of the Data values you chose.

In the FIREFOX browser, please reference this Mozilla Support Page: Clearing Internet Cache and Cookies

For the EDGE Browser please reference this page: Clearing Internet Cache and Cookies

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