How to delete cookies on microsoft edge

Learn all about how to manage cookies in Microsoft Edge including how to clear the cache and delete cookies.

Sara J. Nguyen, Author

Catherine McNally, Editor

 |  Last updated Dec 1, 2022

Your browser stores cookies as a way to identify you and your internet history. Cookies help websites provide personalized experiences, but they’re also used to create highly targeted ad campaigns. Third-party cookies cause privacy concerns and you may prefer to opt out.

If you’d like to clear cookies in Microsoft Edge, then this is the guide for you. Keep reading to learn the step-by-step process of deleting and enabling cookies as well as how to clear your cached data.

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How to clear cookies in Microsoft Edge

There are two options to clear cookies in Microsoft Edge. You can choose to delete all of your cookies or only delete cookies from specific websites. Let's go over how to delete all cookies first.

How to delete all Edge cookies

1. Open the Edge browser.

2. Select the horizontal three dots in the upper right corner of your browser window.

3. Click Settings.

4. Choose Privacy, search, and services.

5. Scroll down to Clear browsing data and find Clear browsing data now.

6. Click Choose what to clear.

7. A time range will appear, and you can choose a time range from the list. (What you select will delete cookies collected from the chosen timeframe.)

8. Choose Cookies and other site data.

9. Click Clear now.

Now you've deleted cookies and other site data. Keep in mind, this will cause your browser to log out of most of your accounts.

Do you use other browsers along with Edge? Learn how to delete cookies in Google Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.

How to delete cookies from specific websites

If you only want to delete cookies from one site, then you can follow these steps:

1. Open the Edge browser.

2. Click the three horizontal dots in the upper right corner of your browser.

3. Select Settings.

4. Choose Cookies and site permissions.

5. Under the Cookies and data stored section, select Manage and delete cookies and site data.

6. Click on See all cookies and site data.

7. Scroll through the list to find the site whose cookies you want to delete.

8. Once you find it, click on the down arrow to the right of the website name.

9. Choose Delete by clicking on the trash can icon.

Cookies for the site are cleared once you hit Delete. You can repeat these same steps to delete cookies from other sites as well.

How to set up Microsoft Edge to automatically delete cookies

Some people prefer to delete cookies every time they use the internet. However, it's a bit tedious to delete cookies after every browser session. But, luckily, there is a way to automatically delete cookies every time you close the Microsoft Edge browser.

1. Open the Edge browser.

2. Select the three horizontal dots in the upper right corner of the browser.

3. Choose Settings.

4. Click Privacy, search, and services.

5. Under Clear browsing data, select Choose what to clear every time you close the browser.

6. Choose the Cookies and other site data toggle to turn it on.

After you set this feature up, cookies and other site data get deleted every time you close the Microsoft Edge browser. (But don't forget this will also sign you out of your online accounts.)

How to enable or disable cookies in Microsoft Edge

Besides deleting cookies, you may prefer to disable cookies entirely. If you prefer your privacy, disabling cookies can stop sites and third parties from tracking your online activities. There are some cons to this option, primarily because it may cause some sites to not load properly.

Let's review how to disable or manage cookies in Edge. If you change your mind in the future and want to enable cookies again, you can follow these same steps to turn them back on.

1. Open the Edge browser.

2. Select the three horizontal dots in the upper right corner of your browser.

3. Choose Settings.

4. Click Cookies and site permissions.

5. Choose Manage and delete cookies and site data.

6. To disable cookies (1), turn on Block third-party cookies.

To enable cookies (2), turn on Allow sites to save and read cookie data.

To block cookies from a specific site (3), add the desired site's web address under the Block section.

Sometimes a site does need third-party cookies to run properly. In this case, Edge may give you a prompt asking if you want to allow a third party to have access to cookies and site data.

If you select Allow, then the third party is granted 30 days of temporary access before it automatically expires. If you would like to remove it sooner, then you’ll need to clear it manually.

How to clear cache in Microsoft Edge

Cached data is slightly different from cookies. Where cookies track your online history, cached data stores information from websites you've visited to make them load faster the next time you visit. However, you may want to clear your cache to free up disk space or if a web page isn't loading properly.

Here’s how to clear the cache in the Edge browser:

1. Open the Edge browser.

2. Select the three horizontal dots in the upper right corner of your browser.

3. Click Settings.

4. Choose Privacy, search, and services.

5. Under Clear browsing data, tap Choose what to clear.

6. Select Cached images and files.

7. Click Clear now.

After you've completed these steps, then the Edge browser will delete the selected cached data.

There’s a shortcut for deleting your cache in Microsoft Edge: Ctrl + Shift + Del opens a window to clear the cache.

How to clear cookies on Internet Explorer 11

Internet Explorer stopped receiving support from Microsoft on June 15, 2022. Microsoft recommends upgrading to the Microsoft Edge browser for better and more secure browsing.

If you still use Internet Explorer 11, here are the steps to take to clear your cookies.

1. Open the Internet Explorer browser.
2. Select the Tools button at the top right corner.
3. Hover over Safety to open a new menu.
4. Then choose Delete browsing history.
5. Click Cookies. (You may need to uncheck Preserve Favorites website data to delete cookies from websites you’ve saved.)
6. Select Delete browsing history.

This action deletes all cookies stored on the Internet Explorer browser. You can also choose to delete your browsing history or form data during this process.

How to enable cookies in Internet Explorer 11

If you're looking to block cookies or enable cookies in Explorer, here are the steps to do it:

1. Open the Internet Explorer browser.
2. Select the Tools button at the top right corner.
3. Click on Internet Options, which will open a new window.
4. Choose the Privacy tab.
5. Select the Advanced button, which will open a new window called Advanced Privacy Settings.
6. Select the options relevant to your needs. Your choices range from Allow, Block, or Prompt First-party and Third-party Cookies.

How to clear your Internet Explorer 11 browser cache

The cache contains completely different files than cookies. Cached data includes copies of webpages, images, and media to make websites load faster the next time you visit. You may want to delete cached data to make room for more disk space or if a website isn't loading new updates.

Here are the steps you need to take to clear the Internet Explorer browser:

1. Open the Internet Explorer browser.
2. Select the Tools button at the top right corner.
3. Hover over Safety to open a new menu.
4. Then choose Delete browsing history.
5. Select Temporary Internet Files. (You may need to uncheck Preserve Favorites website data to delete cached data from websites you have saved.)
6. Click Delete.

Microsoft Edge cookies FAQs

Bottom line

Clearing your cookies and cache is an important part of managing your browsing experience and protecting your online privacy. Managing your cookie settings enables you to control how your data is being used. Meanwhile, clearing your cache every once in a while could help with internet performance or troubleshoot webpage loading problems.

If you want to do more to manage your online privacy, learn how to update your privacy settings or discover the benefits of anonymous browsing.

Author Details

Sara J. Nguyen

Sara J. Nguyen is a freelance writer specializing in cybersecurity and marketing. Her educational background in public relations helps her work closely with companies to provide informative and engaging content for their audience. When she's not writing, you can find her planning her next international trip.

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