Chromebooks run on Chrome OS, a PC operating system developed by Google and based on the Chrome browser. If you want to clear cache, cookies, or browsing history on a Chromebook, the process is identical to clearing them in the Chrome browser.
How to Clear Cache / Cookies / History on Chromebooks (Chrome)
Open the Chrome browser on your laptop and press Ctrl + Shift + Backspace to quickly open the “Clear browsing data” window.
Alternatively, you can go to the menu (three dots in the top-right corner) → Settings → Privacy and security → Clear browsing data.
In the Clear browsing data window, there are two tabs: Basic and Advanced.
Pay special attention to the Time range dropdown menu, where you can select Last hour, Last 24 hours, Last 7 days, Last 4 weeks, or All time. To completely clear your data, select All time.
By default, Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, and Cached images and files are all checked. You can choose what to clear based on your needs.
In the Advanced tab, the options are more detailed. These include:
- Browsing history
- Download history
- Cookies and other site data
- Cached images and files
- Passwords and other sign-in data
- Autofill form data
- Site settings
- Hosted app data
If you’re using a public device, such as in a school or library, it’s recommended to select “All time” under Time range. This helps prevent others from accessing your browsing history and protects your privacy.
If you’re on a personal device and just want to free up disk space or improve your Chromebook’s performance, carefully choose what to clear under the Advanced tab. Keep in mind that once deleted, the data cannot be recovered, and you’ll need to log back into all your accounts. I’ve experienced this inconvenience before, so I advise avoiding it if possible.
