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How to clear cache on Google Chrome? Shortcut and traditional method

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With the way technology works in today's world, all of one's information or preferences are in constant motion. The information presented on certain platforms slowly make its way around onto all of one's devices, this is known as data syncing.Syncing of data plays a bigger role in one's life than they think. It allows one to use multiple devices on the go with parity amongst them saving one the trouble of having to reconfigure a device from start.With all the information stored online, keeping a tab on it is very important and this article will tell you about how to choose the information synced on Chrome and how to delete it.What information is synced?One finds themselves using Chrome for everything, from searches for food recipes to performing online transactions, this information, along with bookmarks is stored and synced. Chrome increases its functionality with extensions developed by others and even these can be synced across compatible devices.Chrome stores the following data and syncs it across all of one's devices -HistoryTabs and bookmarksPasswordsCredit card infoUser settingsThemesExtensionsThe steps to choosing what information is stored are simple, but first, if one has not already set up the sync system, the steps to do so have been mentioned below mentioned.Also read: Top 5 alternatives to Google Chrome that value your privacySteps to set up sync info in ChromeWe are presuming that an account has been signed into before performing these steps.Step 1 - Click on the 'three dots' option present in the right top corner.Step 2 - Click on the settings option.Step 3 - The above step brings up the people menu where a button to turn sync on can be seen.These steps will have set up one's account to sync all information across available devices. A passphrase different from the user's login password can also be set to encrypt all data.How to choose what information is syncedWhen a user performs the sync set up, all types of information is set to be synced by default. To choose what information one wants to have synced across all their devices, they should follow the steps mentioned below :Step 1 - Click on the 'Manage sync' option which is available after one has selected the settings option.Step 2 - Uncheck the sync everything box and proceed to choose what information to sync.How to delete synced informationDeleting the synced information is as easy as it gets, one can follow the steps mentioned below to do so.Step 1 - Select the 'Data from Chrome sync' option.Step 2 - Scroll down to the bottom of the page and select the 'Reset Sync' option.Also read: How to block a website on Google Chrome?

A cache is a storage tool which temporarily stores data. Storing data in cache makes it readily available for the client for accessing and hence saves time. For this purpose, web browsers use the cache functionality for faster and seamless browsing.

Browser cache contains HTML files, multimedia contents, Java scripts as well as CSS stylesheets, which together form a website. When the user revisits a cached website, the updated files are reloaded while the cached files are loaded as they were saved.

But sometimes cache causes problems in website loading when the website has been updated, and the cache is not. This will result in a partially loaded or broken website. Thus, it is advisable to clear cache frequently to save yourself from the hassles.

In this article, we will explain two ways to clear the cache in Google Chrome browser.

Also read: Is Chrome becoming a surveillance software for Google?

Shortcut to clear cache instantly

To clear the cache immediately, follow the instructions given below. Note that this can only be done on a PC running Google Chrome — Windows, Mac and Linux included.How to clear cache on Google Chrome: Shortcut and traditional method

  • Open the Chrome app.
  • Activate the Chrome Dev Tools by pressing F12.
  • After pressing F12, right-click reload option on the top left corner.
  • You will see three options — Normal Reload, Hard Reload and Empty Cache and Hard Reload.

Normal Reload: This is the same as refresh standard reload option. Selecting this option will command the browser to reload the page using the cached data and at the same time check and deliver any updated file, if available. The shortcut for normal reload is Ctrl+R.

Hard reload: The browser will download all the files of the webpage again. The shortcut to perform this function is Ctrl+Shift+R.

Empty Cache and Hard Reload: This option will wipe the cache clean and will load a fully updated website. This is the best option to remove the cache files completely. The browser will cache the files again afresh.

Choose the one that suits your needs the best.

Also read: How to clear app data or cache on Android and why?

Traditional Way

To clear the cache traditionally, follow the steps given below.

Clearing cache in Android

The steps are as follows.

How to clear cache on Google Chrome: Shortcut and traditional method

  • Open the Chrome app.
  • On the top right corner, click on the three-dot More.
  • On the menu, tap on History option.
  • Tap on Clear browsing data on the top.
  • After that, you will notice two options — Basic and Advance. The Basic option lets you clear the browsing history, Cookies and site data as well as cached images and files, while the Advanced option allows you to clear saved passwords and autofill form data, in addition to the three options mentioned above.
  • Select the time range — last hour, last 24 hours, previous seven days, last four weeks or all time. (This will clear the cache in the selected time).
  • After selecting the options and the time range, tap on Clear data on the bottom right of the screen.

How to clear cache on Google Chrome: Shortcut and traditional method

Clearing cache in Windows

The steps are as follows.

How to clear cache on Google Chrome: Shortcut and traditional method

  • Open Google Chrome.
  • On the top right corner, click on the three dots, which will open a menu.
  • Click on More Tools.
  • After that, select clear browsing data.
  • A new tab will open. Choose the time range (which is the same as Android).
  • Tick mark the options that you want to clear. The options include download history, cookies and other site data, cached images and files, along with a host of other options like passwords and other sign-in data, autofill form data, site settings and hosted app data.
  • Once you have selected the options, click on Clear data at the bottom right of the box.

How to clear cache on Google Chrome: Shortcut and traditional methodAlso read: How to save webpage to read offline in Chrome?

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Kumar Hemant

Deputy Editor at Candid.Technology. Hemant writes at the intersection of tech and culture and has a keen interest in science, social issues and international relations. You can contact him here: [email protected]

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