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How do i clear history in any browser

02/17/2021

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When using any browser it will keep a record of all the pages you have visited. This history can be cleared at any time.

Hidding browser history

In the future it is adviceable to use Private Browsing or Incognito if you wnt to hide your browsing history. When using Incognito mode the browser will not save the pages you visit on the history list.

For details about browser history see Browser Web history

Desktop browsers

Chrome

  1. In the browser bar, enter: 
     chrome://settings/clearBrowserData
  2. At the top of the "Clear browsing data" window, click Advanced.
  3. Select the following:
    • Browsing history
    • Download history
    • Cookies and other site data
    • Cached images and files

    From the "Time range" drop-down menu, you can choose the period of time for which you want to clear cached information. To clear your entire cache, select All time.

  4. Click CLEAR DATA.
  5. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Opera

  1. From the Opera menu, select Settings, then Privacy & Security, and then Clear browsing data....
  2. In the dialog box that opens, from the "Obliterate the following items from:" drop-down menu, select The beginning of time.
  3. Select the following:
    • Browsing history
    • Download history
    • Cookies and other site data
    • Cached images and files
  4. Click Clear browsing data.
  5. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Microsoft Edge

Important:

Microsoft Edge Legacy support ended on March 9, 2021. If you still have Edge Legacy, UITS recommends installing the new Chromium-based Microsoft Edge by running Windows Update.

  1. In the top right, click the Hub icon (looks like star with three horizontal lines).
  2. Click the History icon (looks like a clock), and then select Clear all history.
  3. Select Browsing history, then Cookies and saved website data, and then Cached data and files. Click Clear.
  4. After the "All Clear!" message appears, exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Firefox

  1. From the History menu, select Clear Recent History.

    If the menu bar is hidden, press Alt to make it visible.

  2. From the Time range to clear: drop-down menu, select the desired range; to clear your entire cache, select Everything.
  3. Next to "Details", click the down arrow to choose which elements of the history to clear; to clear your entire cache, select all items.
  4. Click Clear Now.
  5. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Safari 8 and later

  1. From the Safari menu, select Clear History... or Clear History and Website Data....
  2. Select the desired time range, and then click Clear History.
  3. Go to Safari > Quit Safari or press Command-Q to exit the browser completely.

Mobile browsers

The steps for delete on a mobile phone are very similar but they can differ based on the type of model your phone is running.

Android Browser

  1. Go to Settings and choose Apps or Application Manager.
  2. Swipe to the All tab.
  3. In the list of installed apps, find and tap your web browser. Tap Clear Data and then Clear Cache.
  4. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Chrome for iOS

  1. Tap Chrome menu > Settings.
  2. Tap Privacy.
  3. Tap Clear Browsing Data.
  4. Choose the data type you want to clear.
  5. Tap Clear Browsing Data.
  6. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Safari for iOS

  1. Open your Settings app.
  2. Tap Safari.
  3. Tap Clear History and Website Data and confirm.
  4. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Chrome for Android

  1. Tap Chrome menu > Settings.
  2. Tap (Advanced) Privacy.
  3. From the "Time Range" drop-down menu, select All Time.
  4. Check Cookies and Site data and Cached Images and Files.
  5. Tap Clear data.
  6. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.