Description: To erase the history, cache, and other saved data, choose Safari > Reset Safari.
Keywords: maintaining privacy and security, resetting Safari, dumping, dump, remove, clear, delete, deleting, erasing, privacy, security, clearing, removing

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# Resetting Safari

If you use a shared or public computer, you may want to reset Safari to prevent other people from seeing which webpages you’ve visited.

Important: Resetting Safari removes all cookies, saved passwords, and saved AutoFill information, not just the ones saved during the current browsing session. Cookies saved by other applications may also be removed.

## To reset:

Choose Safari > Reset Safari.

Deselect any items you don’t want to reset:

Clear history: Clears the stored addresses of webpages you’ve viewed.

Empty the cache: Clears the temporary location on your computer where Safari saves webpages you’ve viewed. The cache helps webpages load more quickly.

Clear the Downloads window: Clears the list of files you’ve downloaded from websites. Only the names are removed; the files themselves are still on your disk until you remove them.

Remove all cookies: Removes cookies that websites have stored on your computer.

Remove all website icons: Removes website icons, which are small graphics that help identify sites on the Internet. You see them in the Safari address bar and bookmarks list, and other places. These icons are stored on your computer.

Remove saved names and passwords: Removes user names and passwords, which Safari remembers for you when the AutoFill feature is turned on.

Remove other AutoFill form text: Removes some personal information, such as telephone numbers, used to automatically complete forms on webpages. Safari remembers this information for you when the AutoFill feature is turned on. Removing AutoFill information does not remove information from your address book.

Clear Google searches: Clears the Google search field of recent searches, which are normally saved in a list viewed by clicking the search field’s magnifying glass icon.

Close all Safari windows: If you don’t close all Safari windows, someone could use the Back and Forward buttons to view the webpages you’ve visited.

Click Reset.

Open windows are closed and a new window opens. The new window has a new history for the Back and Forward buttons and the SnapBack buttons.

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