How do I clean my internet browser cache?

Question

I've been told that if I don't "clean out my cache storage" periodically, my download speeds from the Internet will get slower, and my PC will work harder maintaining the cache. Is that something I need to do periodically, and, if so, how do I do that?

Thanks,

Allan Scott

Answer

This question was answered on August 25, 1999. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

Yes, cache is the area of information that stores data for quicker access to files for the web browser. The web browsers of today usually are pretty good at doing this themselves but it wouldn't hurt for the user to do it sometimes too. Cleaning your cache is a good regular practice.

To clean your cache storage in Netscape, in the Netscape window click on "edit" in the menu bar, then "preferences....", and then click on the little "+" sign next to "advanced". When the selection branches out you should see an option for cache, click on that and use the two buttons to clear memory and/or disk cache.

For Internet Explorer, in the IE window click on "tools" on the menu bar, then click "internet options...". In the "general" tab you should see a little subheading of "Temporary internet files", Click the "delete files" button.

Author

Posted by Ken of Data Doctors on August 25, 1999