What's a browser cache, how do I "clear" it, and why would I want to?

Browser cache is easy to clear, what about the hidden files as in Content.IE5? especially when one of the files is corrupt and unreadable? Virus scan and Antisyware cannot clean it and I can't run CHKDSK all the way through or Defag until I do a complete Chkdsk. I have gotten right up to the Content.IE5 folders but as soon as I try to delete one the PC freezes up. Can I do something else to get rid of IE5? Thank you, Roberta.

You could make frequent use of Ccleaner.

It may take too long though if you hear the Feds battering down your front down and shouting Catch as cache can!

Leo, if, I am not mistaken, there is another part to 'controlling' the Cache. Deleting the Temporary Internet Files does a great job, but most users are unaware that there is a 'setting' that helps 'control' the Cache, so it doesn't get TOO big!

It is in Internet Explorer's Options, on the first page, under Browsing History. Look at the button that says, 'Settings'. By Default, Internet Explorer sets this setting quite high, usually way into the 1500MBs and higher, when all that is really needed is no more than 250MBs. I know that making sure my setting is set at 250MB, I can do lots of surfing and my PC doesn't slow down much, at all.

There is also a 'setting' in Firefox. It is a little harder to find. Open up the Tools option, at the top of the browser. Click on the Advanced button, then click on the Network button. On that section, you will see where you can 'set' the amount you want to 'cache'. I also, set my Firefox at 250MB. It simply works and keeps me going with both Internet Explorer and Firefox.

I use Firefox, but I also have Internet Explorer installed, but never use it. My question is this: Why, when I clear my private data every time I close Firefox, there are cookies, temporary internet files, and data in Internet Options? I'm assuming Internet Options is connected to IE, but I don't use IE. So, I've made it a habit to clear both Firefox and IE's Internet Options.

For those of us not hooked on IE or Firefox, like us Opera users for example, here's a link that covers most all browsers showing you how to empty your cache.

http://www.wikihow.com/Clear-Your-Browser's-Cache

http://www.geocities.com/terryhollett2003/

One reason that the cache becomes corrupted (bad content, out of date content, etc) is because the cache validation settings on the browser may be (inappropriately) set to allow this... in fact, this is the default setting in IE. The safe (dare I say correct ;-) setting is to set IE's frequency to "every time I visit the web page". The default setting of "automatic" allows an infrequently changed file to be used in an out of date state.

hi,
can i know please if we remove browser cache then any change in computer speed?
Thanks
natural remeides

Hi Leo

In response to "MmeMoxie", apart from being correct about that particular setting. They have opted for quite a large cache.

I don't really know why per-se, but I opt for a much smaller cache at around 50MB instead.

Can you elaborate on this a little? i.e. Would there be performance issue's or anything else to consider at either end of our spectrum's?

I never play with the cache unless I'm in a tight disk situation. At some point unless you're visiting LOTS of different web sites every day, a super-large cache doesn't really buy you anything. How small is too small varies depending on your usage: visit one or two sites a day and a tiny cache will do. The only drawback to a too-small cache is performance, but I can't tell you whether 50MB's too small for you or not.

22-Jul-2010

Sometimes, you may just want to "clear the cache" for the current page, rather than the entire cache. In Firefox, for example, you can hold down the shift key when you click the "reload" button. I've used that numerous times when, for example, a page's CSS isn't correct. A simple "reload" reloads the page, but any resources that it refers to, such as external CSS or Javascript, may still come from the cache.

One other reason why you might clear the browser cache is (apparently) for general computer speed-up. One commentator said that this (for Internet Explorer specifically) was the single most beneficial way to improve a sluggish computer. He rated it as often more effective than disk defrag or registry cleanup, where so many efforts are focused. I put it to the test on my wife's old Celeron. Low physical memory, but plenty of disk available. It works!! Why? That's what I thought this article might answer. The proponent of this tactic asserted that it's effective even when IE's not your favoured browser. I'd like to know the science behind this hocus-pocus.