Understanding ChatGPT's Context Window

ChatGPT, like other large language models, does not possess true long-term memory in the way humans do. Instead, it relies on a "context window" for each conversation. This context window includes the recent turns of the current chat session (the prompts provided and the model's responses). The model uses this history to understand the ongoing discussion and generate relevant replies.

Once a chat session ends or becomes too long, the information from earlier in that specific conversation may fall outside the context window, effectively being "forgotten" by the model within that session. However, the record of the conversation persists in the user's account history.

Clearing the Current Conversation's Context

The primary way to "clear" the model's active "memory" or context from a specific conversation is by starting a new chat session.

• Each new chat begins with an empty context window.
• The model processes the initial prompt of the new chat without carrying over the details from previous, separate conversations.
• This effectively resets the model's short-term awareness to focus solely on the new topic or request.

This is the simplest and most direct method to ensure the model is not influenced by the specifics of a previous discussion.

Managing Past Conversations: Clearing Chat History

While starting a new chat clears the current session's live context, the conversation history is typically stored in the user's account. This history can be viewed later but does not influence the model's real-time processing in a different active chat session.

To remove the record of past conversations from the user interface and account:

• Look for a "Clear conversations" or similar option within the chat interface, usually in the settings or sidebar menu.
• Selecting this option permanently deletes the visible history of past chats from the account.

It's important to note that clearing chat history removes the record of past interactions but does not impact the model's fundamental training data or its operation in new chat sessions, which start with a fresh context window anyway.

Persistent Information Features (Custom Instructions / Memory)

OpenAI has introduced features like "Custom Instructions" and a dedicated "Memory" feature that allow users to provide persistent information or preferences that the model should remember across conversations.

• Custom Instructions: These allow setting preferences (e.g., preferred persona, level of detail) that the model should keep in mind for all future conversations until the instructions are changed or cleared.
• Memory Feature: This feature allows the model to proactively remember facts or details from past interactions that a user explicitly wants it to retain and recall in future chats.

These features add a layer of persistent context rather than representing the core session-based context window. Managing these requires specific actions within the account settings to update or clear the stored persistent information. Clearing the session context by starting a new chat or clearing chat history does not affect the information stored via Custom Instructions or the Memory feature.

Practical Tips for Managing Context

• Start a New Chat for New Topics: To avoid confusion or influence from previous discussions, always initiate a new chat session when switching to a significantly different subject or task.
• Summarize in New Chats: If context from a past conversation is necessary for a new one, provide a brief summary at the beginning of the new chat.
• Keep Conversations Focused: Within a single chat, try to stay on topic to help the model maintain relevant context within its window.
• Use "Clear Conversations" for Privacy: If privacy is a concern, regularly clearing the chat history removes the visible record of past interactions from the account interface.
• Manage Persistent Memory: If Custom Instructions or the Memory feature are used, review and update these settings periodically to ensure they reflect current preferences and information.