How to erase search history on computer

On this page:

• Before you begin
  • Troubleshooting alternatives
• Mobile browsers
  • Android
  • Chrome for Android
  • Safari for iOS
  • Chrome for iOS
• Desktop browsers
  • Chrome
  • Firefox
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Opera
  • Safari 8 and later (macOS)
• If you can't access some IU websites or online services

Before you begin

Clearing your web browser's cache, cookies, and history may remove data such as the following:

• Saved passwords
• Address bar predictions
• Shopping cart contents, etc.

While you should clear your web browser's cache, cookies, and history periodically in order to prevent or resolve performance problems, you may wish to record some of your saved information first. If you are unable to do so, see Troubleshooting alternatives below.

For details about browser cache, cookies, and history, see:

• Web cache
• HTTP cookie
• Web browsing history

Notes:

• For desktop browsers, to quickly open menus used to clear your cache, cookies, and history, ensure that the browser is open and selected, and press Ctrl-Shift-Delete (Windows) or Command-Shift-Delete (Mac). If this doesn't work, follow the appropriate instructions below.
• If the instructions below don't exactly match what you see, you may need to update your web browser to the latest version.

  If you don't see instructions below for your specific version or browser, search your browser's menu for "clear cache". If you're unsure what browser version you're using, from the menu or your browser's menu, select . In Firefox, if you don't see the menu bar, press Alt.

• UITS strongly recommends that you use a supported browser, and not Internet Explorer (IE). Microsoft 365 apps and services no longer support Internet Explorer.

Troubleshooting alternatives

If you need to clear your cache, cookies, and history for troubleshooting purposes, but aren't yet prepared to lose the content listed above, you may wish to consider using a private browsing window in your preferred browser as a temporary solution:

• Private Browsing (Firefox)
• Browse in private with Incognito mode (Chrome desktop and Android)
• Browse InPrivate in Microsoft Edge
• Use Private Browsing in Safari on Mac
• Turn Private Browsing on or off on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Mobile browsers

Android

The steps to clear your cache, cookies, and history may differ depending on the model of your Android device and your preferred browser, but you should be able to clear your cache and data from your application management settings menu:

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

Chrome for Android

1. Tap .
2. Tap .
3. From the "Time Range" drop-down menu, select .
4. Check and .
5. Tap .
6. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Safari for iOS

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

Chrome for iOS

1. Tap .
2. Tap .
3. Tap .
4. Choose the data type you want to clear.
5. Tap .
6. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Desktop browsers

Chrome

1. In the browser bar, enter:

    chrome://settings/clearBrowserData

2. At the top of the "Clear browsing data" window, click .
3. Select the following:

   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 .

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

Firefox

1. From the menu, select .

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

2. From the drop-down menu, select the desired range; to clear your entire cache, select .
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 .
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 .
3. Select , then , and then . Click .
4. After the "All Clear!" message appears, exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Opera

1. From the menu, select , then , and then .
2. In the dialog box that opens, from the "Obliterate the following items from:" drop-down menu, select .
3. Select the following:
4. Click .
5. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Safari 8 and later

1. From the menu, select or .
2. Select the desired time range, and then click .
3. Go to or press Command-Q to exit the browser completely.

If you can't access some IU websites or online services

If you experience problems accessing a secure IU website or service, try these troubleshooting tips.

This is document ahic in the Knowledge Base.
Last modified on 2022-11-02 10:35:55.