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FAQ
Clearing the Cache on Your Web Browser

Question: Why and how should I clear the cache on my web browser?
Answer:

Clearing the cache on your web browser may improve your web page download time and improve the performance of web-based databases, such as NLM's LocatorPlus, PubMed, Gateway, and MedlinePlus.

For instructions on how to clear the cache, go to your browser type below:

Netscape 4.x | Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.x
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.x

Netscape 4.x

  1. Select Preferences from the Edit pull-down menu.
  2. Click the plus sign (or triangle for the Mac) next to Advanced.
  3. Select Cache.
  4. If you are using Windows:
    • - Click the Clear Memory Cache button.
    • - Click the OK button in response to Continue?
    • - Click the Clear Disk Cache Now button.
    • - Click the OK button in response to Continue?
    If you are using a Mac:
    • - Click the Clear Disk Cache Now button.
    • - Click the OK button in response to Continue?
  5. - Click the OK button.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.x

  1. Select "Internet Options" from the View pull-down menu.
  2. Click the "General" tab.
    • - On the middle of this page is the Temporary Internet Files section.
    • - Click the "Delete Files" button.
  3. You will then be prompted by the dialog box, Delete files.
    • - In this dialog box you are asked if you wish to Delete all files in the Temporary Internet Files folder.
    • - Click the "OK" button.
  4. On the bottom of this page is the History section.
  5. Click the "Clear History" button.
  6. You will then be prompted by the dialog box, Internet Properties.
    • - In this dialog box you are asked if you wish to Delete all files in your History folder.
    • - Click the "Yes" button.
  7. Click the "OK" button.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 5

  1. Select Internet Options from the Tools pull-down menu.
  2. Click the General tab.
    • - On the middle of this page is the Temporary Internet Files section.
    • - Click the "Delete Files" button.
  3. - You will then be prompted by the dialog box, Delete files.
    • - In this dialog box, you are asked if you wish to Delete all files in the Temporary Internet Files folder.
    • - Click the "OK" button.
  4. - On the bottom of this page is the History section.
  5. - Click the "Clear History" button.
  6. - You will then be prompted by the dialog box, Internet Properties.
    • - In this dialog box, you are asked if you wish to Delete all files in your History folder.
    • - Click the "OK" button.
  7. - Click the "OK" button on the General tab screen.

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http://www.nlm.nih.gov/services/cache.html

Last updated: 05 May 2004
First published: 15 October 2001
Metadata| Permanence level: Permanence Not Guaranteed