Hard Refresh Button

As the name says, this simply adds “Hard Refresh” button to the Toolbar

There are several ways to perform a “hard reload” in Chrome, but no toolbar icon by default, so I made this simple extension mainly for my own use. There are several similar extensions in the web store, but I didn’t like the icons and I wanted more (namely: to add hard refresh functionality to the context menu and to add cleaning options before the refresh), so this button was made to fix my issues with the others. Now, on the options page, you can select what to be deleted from chrome caches before the actual hard refresh (cleanup before reload) and you may choose between few different icons (you can even add your own icon) and there is an option to add hard refresh to the context menu too (see the “options”).

To download, rate or review the extension — visit it’s Chrome Web Store page:

If you know how to work with extensions (access options, remove etc.) — you can stop reading right now.

In case you are new in Chrome extensions and how to use them — below you’ll find all the important info about this particular one (but it’s pretty much the same for most of them). Keep reading if you are curious or have questions.

Hard Refresh in the Toolbar:

This add-on will add a “Hard Refresh” button right in your Chrome toolbar. Click on the button and you’ll refresh the current page bypassing the cache — this is all about the main function of the “extension”. There are, however, some options available: you can change the default icon to best fit your Chrome theme (there are several pre-made icons and an option to set your own) and add/remove the reload button to the context menu.

At a Glance:

• Add “hard refresh” to the toolbar
• option to add it to the context menu
• built-in cleaner (user-configurable), can set it to clear cache, cookies, file systems, indexed data,local storage data, plugin data, service workers, webSQL data;
• lightweight (doesn’t use system resources besides the icon on the toolbar)
• basic customization (change icon and button behavior from the options page)

Questions & Answers:

Why adding separate extension for something that is already here?

Because there is no Hard Refresh by default in the toolbar. You can use the shortcuts or open the “inspect” mode, but one may just wish a button…

But extensions eat system memory, why wasting resources just for one simple bookmark?

Not actually, the youtube button doesn’t eat memory. Technically said: it utilizes non-persistent background script, which, in English, implies the extension does not need to set aside memory (check the Chrome Task Manager in the event that you need to see with your own eyes: when you tap on the extension icon it will open youtube and free all resources after that). It acts like bookmark and the main “resources” it utilizes is for the screen space of the icon itself (yes, it takes some space from the toolbar, but it was made to do this 😉

How to get to the options page?

Follow the steps below:

1. Right-click on the extension icon in the toolbar (see among the hidden icons if you don’t see it)
2. Click “Options”

Alternatively, type “chrome://extensions” (without the quotes) in the url bar, click Enter, find the Youtube Button and click on the “options” link.

Does it work on mobile?

Unfortunately — no, Chrome for desktop is the only browser supported

Does it work on other browsers?

Nope. Only Chrome right now…

How to remove, uninstall, delete, get rid of this extension?

For each and any Chrome extension: It’s simple as a piece of cake. Just right-click on the toolbar icon and select “Remove from Chrome”. Or, in case  you can’t find the icon — go to the “extensions” page (type chrome://extensions in the url field) and remove the add-on from there.

How to set it to openYoutube in the current tab instead of creating new tab?

Right-click on the extension’s icon and select “Options”, then uncheck the first checkbox

How to add the shortcut to the context menu?

Go to the options page (see above) and check the “Add settings button to context menu” checkbox

What’s the deal with the toolbar icon?

Go to the “Options” page and play with the icons. There are several to choose from. If none fits your current theme (or aesthetic feeling) — you can set your own 19×19 pixel icon. (Custom icon should be in supported format (like *.gif or *.png or *.jpg) and located on your local drive)