Clear Your Cache and Temp Files

Everyone who enjoys having things work well and last a long time knows that the so-called spring cleaning needs to happen much more often than once a year. The same principle is true for keeping your computer happy.

Webmasters especially know that the answer to many internet function woes is to clear your browser cache once a week for normal use, or daily if you spend more than 4 hours a day online. Clearing your cache is especially good if you are trying to edit your website and some tools seem to not be working for you.

Secondarily, cleaning out your computer operating system's temporary files should also be done on a regular basis, such as once or twice a month, or more.

But how can you do this?

Don't worry, it's not too hard. Here are directions for those who have a PC / Windows operating system, and who use the Google Chrome browser. If you have a Mac and use the Safari browser, check YouTube for instructions for you.

Before you do either of these procedures, it's best to close all programs and all but 1 browser tab so the clearing can be the most complete.

How to Clear Your Cache

1. Open Chrome and click on the three vertical dots in the upper right corner of your screen.

2. Look for the link called More Tools and hover over it. Then select the link marked Clear Browsing Data.

3. Set the time range to All of Time. Check all of the following and wait for the Chrome to do the clearing. It's that simple.

• browsing history

• download history

• cookies

• cached

How to Clear Your Temp Files

I'm still running the Windows 7 operating system due to have a lot of specialized software made for that older version of Windows. But the process is very similar in newer versions of Windows as well.

1. On your keyboard press and hold the key with the Windows icon, and then press the R key. This should open a pop up dialogue box in the lower left corner of your screen that might already show %temp%. If not, you should be able to type that in. Click on the OK button.

2. Now you should see a file screen with a little box at the top of the list of files that says Name. Click that to select all temp files, or use your keyboard and press/hold the CNTRL button and press the A for all. You should see all files highlighted on your screen.

3. Right click on your mouse and find the Delete link. Click Delete.

4. Some files can't be deleted, so a pop up dialogue box will ask you if you want to try again or skip. Select Skip.

5. Let the system do its work, and you're good to go.

If you have a Windows 8 or 10 system on your computer, watch this YouTube video for instructions on clearing your temp files. Warning -- there is music but no voice on this video, and the music is a little annoying.