Anyone who uses a computer, laptop or smartphone has probably heard that they should clear the cache. However, many users are not even aware of what the cache is. The possibility of clearing the browser cache depends on the web browser used or the smartphone app.
- The cache is a fast buffer memory.
- The cache can be a piece of hardware or it can be implemented by software.
- Every internet browser has its own method of clearing the cache.
What is the cache?
The cache is a fast buffer memory in which data from websites, for example, is temporarily stored. These data then no longer have to be obtained from the Internet when the page is reloaded, but come directly from the computer. This speeds up the loading of pages considerably. The cache can be implemented as hardware memory. It can also be a software solution. As a rule, the user does not notice any difference.
Data in the browser cache
Files and data that are frequently accessed are stored in the cache. The data stored there include, for example, cookies , scores for online games , browser history, and entire websites. Over time, a lot of data accumulates there, which delays the function. Therefore the cache should be cleared from time to time.
Clearing the Cache
If the user manually clears the cache, the information stored there will be lost. You can therefore choose whether all or only certain stored information should be deleted. For example, if the user deletes all cookies, he has to log in to the website again. The scores of online games are also lost as a result. The browser history can also be deleted. In this way, the user obliterates his online traces for other users of the computer. After clearing the cache, the pages take a little longer to load. But then all the information is really up-to-date.
Empty the cache of different browsers
How you clear the cache varies from browser to browser . For the most common browsers you will find the corresponding description here.
Chrome
With the key combination Ctrl. + Shift + Del. A window for clearing the cache opens directly. There you can choose a few. At the top you specify the period for which the data should be deleted. Below is a list of the data that can be deleted. A check mark in the corresponding box selects the data for deletion. You must remove the check mark from all data that should be retained. Finally, click the “Clear browsing data” button at the bottom of the window.
Firefox
At the top right of the browser window, click the menu icon. In the window that then opens, select “Settings”. There you click on “Data protection & security”. Then go to the “Cookies and Website Data” section and click “Remove Data”. If necessary, remove the checkmark next to “Cookies and website data”. Select “Cached Web Content / Cache”. At the bottom there is the “Empty” button. This then clears the cache.
Internet Explorer
With Internet Explorer, the exact deletion process depends on the version you are using. Depending on the version, go to “Tools” in the menu bar and then “Internet Options” or “Internet Options”. In the menu that then appears, select “General” and then “Delete” under “Browsing history”. Make sure to check the box next to “Temporary Internet and Website Files” to select this. If necessary, you can also select other data, such as cookies, to be deleted there. Start the deletion process by clicking the “Delete” button.
Safari
Click on “Settings” and select “Advanced”. By ticking the box, select “Show developer menu in menu bar”. A new window appears with the “Developer” tab. There you click on “Developer” and then select “Empty cache”.
Clear the cache of a smartphone app on Android
On the smartphone, the individual apps also take up space in the cache. It can therefore be useful to free up this space from time to time.
- Select the settings.
- There you go to the application manager.
- In this manager you choose which app you want to clear the cache for.
- Now select the “Force stop” button.
- In this menu further down there is an item “Clear cache” that you select.
