As simple as this article sounds for most of us, there are quite a few people who don't know how to clear their Internet browser history. The following hub gives you a step by step process on how to clear your Internet browsing history if you are using Microsoft Windows XP or similar.

Why should I clear my Internet browsing history?

Clearing your Internet browser history frees your computers cache and overall improves your computers speed. However initially after you have cleared your browser history you will notice websites that you frequent will open slower than usual. This is because all your cookies and temporary files that were once saved in your history files now have to be resaved (this happens automatically when you revisit them). Don't think that this is a waste of time because all the other sites that you don't frequently go to are now out of your computers memory, thus allowing faster access to your favourite sites.

Another reason to clear your Internet browsing history is to remove files from your computer to prevent others from seeing what websites you have visited. Whether you want to remove your history from co-workers or from your parents or partner, this method will clear your trail so others can not see where you have been.

So show me how it's done...

STEP 1:-

Go to your start bar (which is usually at the bottom right corner of the screen) and click on Control Panel.

STEP 2:-

Now find Internet Options and double click to open it up.

STEP 3:-

On the General tab, click on Delete... under Browser history.

STEP 4:-

Now the Delete Browsing History window will pop up.

From here you can choose individual categories to delete or select Delete all.. at the bottom of the window. Each category is described and it is up to you how you approach this. I generally click Delete all.. the click Yes when prompted to go on.

How often do I perform this task?

It's up to the individual on how often you clean your Internet browsing history. You could perform this task every day if you wish. Some people clean out their Internet browsing history just before they change jobs or workstations.

I'd clean out my Internet browsing history once every six months as a minimum period of time. Please note however you will lose your automatic passwords (this could be a good thing) and you will have to re-enter these next time you visit your favorite site. Also you will lose the website listing in the pull down area where you type websites directly into Internet Explorer. Once again you will have to retype these. For general housekeeping with Internet Explorer I would save your favourite websites to your Favorites files before you delete your Internet history. That way you won't have to rely on them being in the drop down area.

 Happy Browsing!