Start by opening the Microsoft Edge browser on your computer. Look for the three horizontal dots in the top right corner of the window and click them to reveal a menu. Select the option labeled Settings near the bottom of this list. On the left side of the new page, click on Privacy, search, and services. Scroll down the main page until you find the section called Clear browsing data. Click the button that says Choose what to clear. Check the box next to Cookies and other site data and then click Clear now to finish.
We are going to walk through the exact process to remove tracking files from your browser. Following these instructions will help protect your privacy and can fix loading errors on websites.
Step 1: Click on the three dots icon located in the top right corner of the browser window.
You will see this icon near your profile picture. It looks like three dots lined up horizontally. Clicking this opens the main menu where you can control everything in the browser.
Step 2: Select Settings from the drop-down menu that appears.
This option is usually located near the bottom of the list. It has a gear icon next to it. Clicking this will open a new tab dedicated to your browser configuration.
Step 3: Click on the Privacy, search, and services tab on the left sidebar.
Look for a lock icon on the left side of the screen to find this section. If your window is small, you might need to click three lines in the top left to see this menu. This area holds all the controls for your data safety.
Step 4: Scroll down to the Clear browsing data section and click Choose what to clear.
You will need to scroll down the page a little bit to find this blue button. It is distinct and easy to spot. This action opens a small pop-up window in the middle of your screen.
Step 5: Check the box labeled Cookies and other site data and select your time range.
Make sure there is a blue checkmark next to the cookie option. You can also use the dropdown menu at the top to decide how far back you want to go. You can choose the last hour or all time.
Step 6: Click the blue Clear now button to permanently delete the files.
This is the final step in the process. Once you click this button, the browser will immediately start scrubbing the data. The window will close automatically when it is finished.
After you finish this process, you will notice a few changes in how you browse the web. You will likely be signed out of most websites that usually keep you logged in. This means you will need to enter your username and password again for sites like email or social media. Some pages might also load a little slower the first time you visit them again. This happens because the browser has to download new images and data that it previously had saved.
- You can use a keyboard shortcut to save time. Press Control, Shift, and Delete keys all at the same time to jump straight to the clearing menu.
- Be careful about the time range you select. If you only want to fix a recent problem, try clearing the last hour first before wiping everything.
- You can set Edge to clear cookies automatically every time you close the browser. This is found in the settings menu under “Choose what to clear every time you close the browser.”
- Uncheck the “Passwords” box if you want to keep your saved logins. Clearing cookies logs you out, but deleting passwords removes the saved login information entirely.
- If a specific site is giving you trouble, you can delete cookies for just that one site. You do this in the “Cookies and site permissions” section instead of wiping your whole browser.
Frequently asked questions
Will clearing cookies delete my bookmarks?
No, clearing your cookies will not harm your bookmarks or favorites. Your saved websites remain exactly where you left them. This process only removes temporary data files used by websites to track you.
Does this remove my search history?
It depends on what boxes you check. There is a separate box for “Browsing history” in the menu. If you only check the box for cookies, your history of visited websites will stay safe.
Why should I clear my cookies?
Cookies can take up space on your computer over time. They can also cause formatting issues on websites if the files get corrupted. Removing them helps maintain your privacy by stopping advertisers from tracking you across the web.
Will I lose my saved passwords?
You will not lose your saved passwords unless you check the box specifically for passwords. However, you will be signed out of websites. You will need to click login again, but your browser can still fill in the password for you.
How often should I do this?
There is no perfect rule for how often to clear them. Doing it once a month is a good habit for general maintenance. You should also do it immediately if you are using a public computer or if a website starts acting weird.
Summary
- Click the three dots icon in the top right.
- Select Settings from the menu.
- Click Privacy, search, and services on the left.
- Scroll to Clear browsing data and click Choose what to clear.
- Check the Cookies box and pick a time range.
- Click the Clear now button.
Conclusion
Taking care of your digital environment is just as important as cleaning your physical home. When you browse the internet, you leave a trail of data behind you, and websites leave little files on your computer. These files are useful because they remember your shopping cart or keep you logged in. However, letting them pile up for too long can lead to clutter. This clutter might slow down your browser or cause weird glitches when you try to load your favorite pages.
Think of clearing your cookies like taking out the trash. You do not have to do it every single hour, but if you never do it, things will start to smell a bit funny. By performing this simple task, you ensure that your browser runs smoothly and efficiently. You also take a small but meaningful step toward protecting your personal privacy. Advertisers use these files to build a profile of what you like and what you do. Wiping the slate clean every once in a while disrupts that tracking.
It is easy to forget about browser maintenance until something breaks. I recommend setting a reminder to do this every few weeks. It only takes a few seconds, but it saves you headaches down the road. Now that you know exactly how to clear cookies on Microsoft Edge, you have the power to control your own data. Keep your browser clean, and enjoy a faster and safer internet experience.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.