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Academic Technology Launchpad: Browser Settings: Cache, Pop-ups and Cookies

Quick Guide to computer and academic technology resources for students.

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Web Browsers

Do not use Edge or Safari with Blackboard or college email.

Use a recommended browser - Firefox or Chrome

  • Have at least 2 browsers on your computer. 
  • If you have a technical issue, try another browser.
  • Clearing the browser history and cache fixes some issues too. 

How to clear your browser cache and history, or manage cookies or pop-ups

Firefox (Windows) General directions to clear your browser cache or cookies: firefox logo

  1. Press CTRL+ SHIFT+ DEL. OR Click the Tools menu (or Alt + T) - then select Options - Privacy. 
  2. Choose Clear Recent History. Set the range criteria to “everything”. Under Details, choose the relevant check boxes including Browsing History, Cookies, and Cache. 

OR

  • Or you can choose - "Use custom settings for history" and set Firefox to clear history when Firefox is closed. 

For more information, refer to your browser Help tools.

Chrome (Windows) General directions to clear your browser cache or cookies:chrome logo

  1. Click the Customize icon (three stacked bars at the end of the address bar). Or, you can press CTRL + H.
  2. Click the "History" or “Clear Browsing Data” button.
  3. In the History section, set the range to clear to “the beginning of time”.

For more information, refer to your browser Help tools.

Safari (Mac OS X)  General directions to clear your browser cache or cookies:safari logo

  1. Click on the Safari menu, Select "Empty cache",
  2. In the next window, click on "Empty" button
  3. OR from the Safari menu, select Reset Safari. Select the items you want to reset, for example, Remove all website data. 

For more information, refer to your browser Help tools.  

Internet Explorer  (Windows) General directions to clear your browser cache or cookies:ie logo

  1. Click the Tools menu (use the gear icon, or ALT + T), then Click Internet Options. OR you can press CTRL+ SHIFT+ DEL.
  2. Click the Delete button in the Browsing History section.
  3. Make sure all of the relevant check boxes are checked, including Temporary Internet Files and Cookies, and select "Delete".

For more information, refer to your browser Help tools.  

We recommend you add Firefox or Chrome for use with college systems. 

Microsoft Edge (Windows 10) General directions to clear your browser cache or cookies:edge logo

  1. Click the Hub icon.
  2. Click "History".
  3. Click "Clear all history".
  4. Choose what you want to clear. Make sure Cache is checked.
  5. Click "Clear". 

For more information, refer to your browser Help tools.  

 

We recommend you add Firefox or Chrome for use with college systems. 

Android browser General directions to clear your browser history: android logo

  1. Go to Menu > More > Settings or Menu > Settings > Privacy & Security
  2. Tap "Clear cache", "Clear history", and "Clear all cookie data"  ​
     

Chrome for Android Mobile General directions to clear your browser history:

  1. Go to Menu > Settings > Privacy.
  2. Tap "Clear Browsing Data", select browsing history, cache, and cookies, then tap "Clear".

IOS (iPhone or iPad) General directions to clear your browser history in Safari: apple logo

  1. Launch the Settings app from the Home screen of your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Scroll down and tap on Safari.
  3. Scroll down and tap on Clear History.

For more information, refer to your browser Help tools.  

Kindle Fire General Directions to clear browser history:

  1. Tap "Web" to open the web browser.
  2. Go to Menu > Settings.
  3. Select "Clear cache" and "Clear history" 
  4. Tap "OK" to confirm. 
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What are pop-ups, cookies, cache and javascript?

Cache - Each time you access a file through your web browser, the browser caches or stores it. That way, the browser doesn't have to newly retrieve files, including any images on that page, from the web site each time you access the site. You should periodically clear the cache to allow your browser to function more efficiently and to display the most current content.  

Pop-Ups - Some college systems and resources open links in a new window, so you may need to allow pop-ups in your browser. 

Cookies - To use some college online services (Blackboard, myMadisonCollege, etc) you may need to enable cookies in your browser, and sometimes you also need to accept 3rd party cookies. A cookie is a very small file sent by a web site to your computer's web browser that is stored on your computer. Cookies must be enabled to ensure appropriate session identification in case a problem occurs. You can set your browser options to delete cookies at the time the session is terminated. Clearing cookies may also help with some browser issues. 

Javascript - should be enabled in your browser when using mymadisoncollege, Blackboard, and other college systems. Javascript is a programming language built into web browsers which helps make interactive web pages.

What are Website Cookies?