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Browser History, MS Accounts, & Incognito Mode

 

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Browser History & Cache

A browser maintains a history of all websites accessed. It also keeps copies of files or websites

Sometimes clearing the cache or browser history will allow the browser to work more efficiently.  It may even help resolve problems with websites.

It is recommended that Banner users clear their cache and browsing history at least once a week.  More often as issues occur or if you are accessing the internet often.

  • Note: Cache or Browser History can also be set up in the Browser’s settings to clear on exit.

Cookies:

  • A cookie is a file created by a web browser, at the request of a web site, which is stored on a computer
  • These files typically store user-specific information such as selections in a form, shopping cart contents, or authentication data.
  • Browsers will normally clear cookies that reach a certain age but clearing them manually may solve problems with web sites or the browser.

    A browser maintains a history of all websites accessed. It also keeps copies of files or websites

Trouble Accessing O365 Resouces or Training Files?

Microsoft Accounts

The WSU Resources that are accessed through the WSU O365 accounts are restricted to people who are logged in with their WSU account including several training resouces stored in SharePoint.

A browser can maintain log-in status with Microsoft accounts, sometimes for months at a time, depending on browser settings. If you are actively logged in to Microsoft with a personal account (even from a long time ago),  this may be who Microsoft "thinks" you are when you try to access a file stored in SharePoint, thereby disallowing your access.

If you have received a message that you do not have permission to access a training file, try the following steps:

When done correctly, after these steps you should be prompted to log in to your Microsoft Account the next time you try to access the link. Be sure to follow the instructions under the log in screen, and sign in with:

  • Your myWSUID@wichita.edu (e.g. A123Z987@wichita.edu):

Log in screen

  • Followed by your myWSU password:

    Password Prompt

Clearing Browsing History & Cache/Cookies

It is recommended that Banner users clear their cache and browsing history at least once a week.

Note: Cache or Browser History can also be set up in the Browser’s settings to clear on exit.

Google Chrome

To Clear Browser History in Chrome:

  1. Open Menu Options in the upper right of the window.
  2. Select History dropdown
  3. Select History (keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + H)
    Image of steps 1 through 3
  4. Select Clear Browsing Data
    Image of step 4
  5. In Clear Browsing Data window
    • Click drop down for Time Range
    • Select All Time
      Image of step 5
  1. Select the items to clear.
    • To clear entire browsing data, select Advanced and select all boxes
    • Verify Time Range is All Time
      image of step 6
  2. Select Clear Data
    Image of step 7

Firefox

In Firefox, clearing the browsing history and cache is a two-part process:  delete both the Cookies and the History.

 

  1. Open Menu Options in the upper right of the window.
  2. Select Options
    image of steps 1 and 2         
  1. From the left menu, Select Privacy & Security
    image of step 3
  2. Under Cookies and Site Data, click Clear Data
    • If wanted, check the box to delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed
      image of step 4
  3. In Clear Data window, Check the boxes to delete content
  4. Select Clear
    image of step 5 and 6
  5. In warning box, select Clear Now
    image of step 7
  6. Under History, select Clear History
    image of step 8
  7. In the Clear All History window, click the Time Range drop down and select Everything
    image of step 9 and 10
  8. Select the items to clear.
    • To clear entire browsing data, select all boxes
    • Verify Time Range is Everything
  9. Select Clear Now
    image of step 11
  10. Close the Options Tab

Edge

  1. Click the ellipsis in the upper right corner of the window to Open the Menu Options
  2. Select History
    image of step 1 and 2
  3. In the History window, click the ellipsis in the upper right corner
  4. Select Clear browsing data from the History menu
    image of step 3 & 4
  5. Select the following to Clear browsing data:
    • Click the drop down for Time Range and change it to "All Time"
    • Check the boxes to delete content (recommended to select all the boxes)
      • Use the scroll bar on the right to scroll through all options.
      • Do not check Passwords to keep any saved browser password
  6. Click Clear now to clear history

    image of step 5 & 6

  7. Close all browsers windows

Private or Incognito Window

Private or Incognito mode forces the web browser to ignore cookies and does not record browsing history. 

When there is cache or browsing history issues, using a private or incognito window is recommended.

To Access Incognito Mode in Chrome

  1. Open Menu Options in the upper right of the window.
  2. Select New Incognito Window
    • This will open a new browser window
    • Navigate normally – access the websites you normally would use, i.e Banner 9

Image of steps 1 and 2

 

To Access a Private Window in Firefox

  1. Open Menu Options in the upper right of the window.
  2. Select New Private Window
    • This will open a new browser window
    • Navigate normally – access the websites you normally would use, i.e Banner 9

Image of steps 1 and 2

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