How to empty the browser cache on the PC and why it can be useful

When you navigate up Internetyours browser automatically stores a series of temporary files associated with the websites you visit. This system, known as “Cache”allows you to speed up the loading of the pages you visit frequently, avoiding to download the same data each time. In some situations, this function may cause display problems or malfunctions on certain sites. When this happens Empty the browser cachelike that of Google Chrome, can be the right thing to do to bring the situation back to normal. By deleting these files, in fact, the browser is forced to download the website resources again, ensuring to view it in its most updated version and reducing the risk of errors related to obsolete data. In addition to solving loading problems, this operation can also free some disk space, although it is not a particularly effective method to optimize the storage of your device. In this study we will see more in detail What is browser cache, because it can cause problems And above all, How to delete ittaking some of the main browsers as a reference: Google Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge And Mozilla Firefox.

What is browser cache and why empty it

When you visit a website, your browser downloads a series of files needed to view it correctly: images, style sheets, HTML and Javascript code, fonts and other multimedia content. To make navigation more fluid, these files are saved temporarilyso that the site can load faster to the next visit. This system is particularly useful for sites that are frequently consulted by the user, as it reduces data consumption and improves performance.

It may happen, however, that a site will be updated by its developers and your browser continues to upload an old version of some files, causing visualization or operating problems. If a site has had a temporary bug, the browser may have memorized a defective version of the code in the cache, preventing you from seeing the corrections made. In similar cases, emptying the cache could be a decisive method to “reset” the loading of the site, forcing the browser to download all the updated files again and thus eliminating the problems encountered.

Let me be clear, however: emptying the cache can help solve some navigation problems, but it is not the panacea of ​​all evils. If a site continues not to work correctly too After Having deleted the cache files, you will have to continue investigating to find the genesis of the problem which, for example, could be linked to problems of compatibility of the site with the browser in use or to extensions that cause software conflicts of some kind.

How to empty the browser cache on the PC

Google Chrome

1. Open Chrome on your computer
2. Click the button ⋮ at the top right.
3. Select the item Settings.
4. Access the menu Privacy and Security> Delete navigation data.
5. Check the box Images and files stored in the cache.
6. Click on the button Delete data.

Safari

1. Go to the menu Chronology> Clear history ….
2. Select a time interval And then click on Delete chronology.
3. If you want to eliminate only the cache, go to Safari> Settings …> Privacy> Manage Web Sites data ….
4. Click on Remove everything.
5. Click on Remove you now.

Microsoft Edge

1. Click the button ⋯ at the top right.
2. Select the item Settings.
3. Go to the section Privacy, search and services> Choose what to delete (in the section Delete navigation data).
4. Select the box Images and files stored in the cache.
5. Confirm by clicking on Delete now.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Click the button ≡.
2. Go to the section Settings> Privacy and Security.
3. Scroll the page to the section Cookies and websites data and click on Delete data ….
4. Check the box Web content in cache.
5. Click on Elimine And then on Delete now.