Clear your cookies in Edge through Settings in about two minutes
Open Microsoft Edge and select the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Choose Settings, then Privacy, search, and services from the left sidebar. Under Clear browsing data, select Choose what to clear. A window will appear with checkboxes for different data types — make sure Cookies and other site data is checked, then select Clear now.
If you want Edge to delete cookies automatically when you close the browser, stay in the same Settings section and toggle on Clear browsing data under "Clear browsing data". You can then choose which data types to remove automatically by selecting Choose what to clear every time you close the browser.
Clearing cookies removes the small files that websites store on your device to remember your login information, preferences, and browsing activity. This is one step in reducing the information that data brokers can access about you, though it works best when combined with other privacy practices.
Key Takeaways
- Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Clear browsing data to remove cookies manually in Edge.
- Check the box for Cookies and other site data before clicking Clear now to delete stored cookies when ready.
- You can set Edge to automatically delete cookies every time you close the browser by toggling on Clear browsing data in Settings.
- Clearing cookies removes information websites use to track you, but data brokers may still hold information collected before you cleared them.
What cookies actually store and why they matter for your privacy
Websites use cookies to store information about your visits — your login status, items in your shopping cart, language preferences, and browsing history. Some cookies are necessary for a website to function. Others track your behavior across multiple sites so advertisers and data brokers can build a profile of your interests and habits.
When you clear cookies, you erase the files that websites have stored on your device. This means websites will no longer remember you the next time you visit, and you will need to log in again. It also prevents some tracking, though it does not stop data brokers who have already collected information about you through other means — like purchasing data from retailers or collecting information from public records.
The difference between clearing cookies now and setting them to clear automatically
A manual clear removes all cookies stored on your device at that moment. This is useful if you want to start fresh when ready, or if you are about to visit a sensitive website and want to remove any tracking cookies first.
Automatic clearing happens every time you close Edge. This prevents cookies from accumulating over time, but it means you will be logged out of websites automatically and will need to log in again each session. Some people find this inconvenient; others prefer the privacy trade-off. You can choose which data types to clear automatically — you do not have to clear everything.
Clearing cookies does not remove your browsing history or saved passwords
When you clear cookies, Edge leaves your browsing history and saved passwords untouched unless you specifically check those boxes in the Clear browsing data window. If you want to remove your browsing history as well, check the box for Browsing history before clicking Clear now.
Saved passwords are stored separately and require a different step to remove. If you want to delete a saved password, go to Settings > Passwords, find the password you want to remove, select the three dots next to it, and choose Remove.
Why clearing cookies alone is not enough to stop data brokers
Data brokers collect information about you from many sources — credit card transactions, public records, warranty registrations, online surveys, and data purchases from other companies. Clearing your cookies removes one tracking method, but it does not remove information that brokers have already purchased or compiled from offline sources.
Clearing cookies is most effective when combined with other steps: using a privacy-focused search engine, limiting what you share on social media, opting out of data broker websites directly, and using a VPN or private browsing mode when you want to prevent local tracking. Think of cookie clearing as one layer of privacy protection, not a complete solution.
How to use InPrivate browsing to prevent cookies from being stored in the first place
Edge's InPrivate mode prevents cookies and browsing history from being saved while you are in that session. Open a new InPrivate window by pressing Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows) or Command+Shift+P (Mac), or by selecting the three-dot menu and choosing New InPrivate window.
InPrivate mode is useful when you are using a shared device or when you want to browse without leaving a local record. However, it does not hide your activity from your internet service provider, your employer if you are on a work network, or websites you visit — it only prevents local storage on your device. When you close an InPrivate window, all cookies and history from that session are deleted automatically.
Clearing cookies on mobile Edge
On iPhone or Android, open Edge and tap the three-dot menu at the bottom right. Select Settings, then Privacy. Tap Clear browsing data and make sure Cookies and site data is checked. Tap Clear to remove them when ready.
Mobile Edge does not have the same automatic clearing option as the desktop version, so you will need to clear cookies manually each time. The process is the same whether you are using an iPhone or Android device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cookies log me out of websites?
Yes. Websites use cookies to remember that you are logged in, so clearing them will log you out of most sites. You will need to log in again the next time you visit. If you have automatic clearing turned on, you will be logged out every time you close Edge.
Can I clear cookies from only certain websites?
Edge does not have a built-in option to clear cookies from specific sites only. You can clear all cookies at once, or you can use InPrivate mode to prevent cookies from being stored for a particular browsing session. Some websites have their own settings to manage cookies, but those options vary by site.
Does clearing cookies remove viruses or malware?
No. Cookies are not malware — they are just small data files. Clearing cookies will not remove viruses or malware from your device. If you suspect your device is infected, run a full antivirus scan using Windows Defender (built into Windows) or another antivirus program.
If I clear cookies, will data brokers still have my information?
Yes. Data brokers collect information from many sources beyond cookies — credit reports, public records, retail purchases, and data they buy from other companies. Clearing cookies stops one tracking method but does not remove information brokers have already compiled about you. You would need to contact data brokers directly to request removal.
What is the difference between clearing cookies and using a VPN?
Clearing cookies removes files stored on your device by websites. A VPN hides your IP address and encrypts your internet traffic so your internet service provider and websites cannot see your real location or activity. They work differently — you can use both together for more privacy protection.