How to Clear Internet History in Internet Explorer

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

In This Guide

You'll Learn:

• How to clear the web browsing history recorded in Internet Explorer to improve system performance and privacy or fix web browsing issues.

2. Clear Cache and History

1. Open Internet Explorer.
   

1. Select the Gear icon in the top right corner, then select Internet options.
   

1. Under Browsing history, select Delete.
   

1. Go through the list of options here, to ensure the proper items are cleared.
   Once you have chosen your options, select Delete.
   

1. 
   SettingCheckboxPreserve Favorites website dataUncheckedInternet Explorer segments out pages you have marked as favorites. We need to be sure to clear all data, not just some of it.Temporary Internet files and website filesCheckedThis clears your cache, making your browser get a new copy of the webpage, images, etc. It's important to clear this to get a fresh copy the next time you visit, as the copy your browser has may simply be corrupt.Cookies and website dataCheckedCookies are how websites 'know' you when you visit them multiple times. This file can become corrupt, and simply downloading a new one can fix many problems.
2. You will have to log back into any pages you use, such as mail or social media.
3. HistoryCheckedWhile you browse Your browser will keep track of every page you visit, to try to make it easier to return. This can become corrupt due to modern active web pages.Download HistoryPersonal ChoiceThese are a list of files you've downloaded recently. It is entirely safe to delete, or keep this list, as it won't affect pages. Checking this option does not delete the files you've downloaded, just the list the browser keeps.Form DataUncheckedInformation from entering forms online, such as your name, address, or other filled in information. This does not affect how a page loads, and can slow you down on your most commonly used pages.PasswordsUncheckedYour browser will save your passwords while you browse, making it easier to log into your most common websites later. This does not affect how a page loads, and can slow you down on your most commonly used pages.Tracking Protection, ActiveX filtering and Do Not TrackPersonal ChoiceA number of pages will track your use of those pages, and if you've opted out of such tracking. This setting tends not to be well respected from page to page, and some pages simply do not give you the option. While it can affect how a page is displayed, it will only do so in the advertising or other 'personalized content' on that page; not the page itself. It is okay to check or uncheck this option. 
4. When complete, a message will open at the bottom of your browser letting you know the history has been deleted.
   

1. It can take quite a while to delete the cache and history, please be patient.