Did you know that you might not be seeing the most recent version of a webpage? Here’s why, and what to do about it.

The why

Internet Explorer and other browsers keep copies of the pages you’ve visited and their graphics, and save them to your computer using a memory called the cache. The purpose of the cache (pronounced cash) is to speed up your browsing experience. The problem with that system is you might be viewing pages that are outdated, without even knowing it.

I run into this with clients and colleagues from time to time. If I update their website and they say, “But I still see the old information (or old graphic),”  it’s a telltale sign that they need to clear their browser’s cache.

The easy fix

If you’re using Internet Explorer (version 8), on the top menu go to: Tools, then Internet Options. Under browsing history, “delete.” And also be sure the box is checked for “delete browsing history on exit.” Click OK to save. Then exit, and restart Internet Explorer.

If using Firefox, on top menu go to: Tools, Options, then Privacy. Under history, choose: Firefox will “never remember history.” Then click the link to “clear all current history.” Click OK to save. Then exit and restart Firefox.

That should clear your cache, and you should then see current web graphics/pages instead of old ones.