Where cookies are stored and why you'd want to clear them
Cookies are small files your web browser saves when you visit websites. They store login information, preferences, and tracking data. Over time, they accumulate and can slow down your browser or create privacy concerns if you share your computer with others.
The steps to clear them depend on which browser you use — Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Internet Explorer all store cookies in different locations and use different menus. The good news is that clearing them takes less than a minute once you know where to look, and you can choose to delete all cookies at once or just the ones from a specific date range.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Internet Explorer each have their own cookie storage location and clearing process, but all are found in the browser settings or history menu.
- You can clear all cookies at once or select a specific time range, such as the last hour or the last 30 days.
- Clearing cookies will log you out of most websites, so you may need to sign back in after you clear them.
- If you want cookies deleted automatically every time you close your browser, you can turn on that setting in your browser preferences.
Clearing cookies in Google Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu, then click Privacy and security on the left side. Choose Clear browsing data.
A window will pop up with options. Make sure Cookies and other site data is checked. At the top, select the time range you want to clear — you can choose All time to delete everything, or pick Last hour, Last 24 hours, Last 7 days, Last 4 weeks, or Last 3 months. Click Clear data and you're done.
Clearing cookies in Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three horizontal dots in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Privacy, search, and services on the left. Under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear.
Check the box next to Cookies and other site data. Select your time range from the dropdown menu at the top — the options are the same as Chrome. Click Clear now. If you want Edge to clear cookies automatically when you close the browser, toggle on Clear browsing data under the Clear browsing data section and select Every time you close the browser.
Clearing cookies in Mozilla Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Privacy & Security on the left. Scroll down to Cookies and Site Data and click Clear Data.
A small window will appear. Make sure Cookies and Site Data is checked, then click Clear. If you want to clear cookies on a specific time range instead of all of them, go back to the menu, click the three lines, select History, then Clear Recent History. Choose your time range and make sure Cookies is checked before clicking Clear Now.
Clearing cookies in Internet Explorer
Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon in the top right corner. Select Internet Options. On the General tab, under Browsing history, click Delete.
A window will open with several checkboxes. Make sure Cookies and website data is checked. Click Delete to remove all cookies. Internet Explorer does not offer a time-range option like the other browsers, so this will clear all cookies from all time periods.
What happens after you clear cookies
Once you clear cookies, you will be logged out of most websites. The next time you visit a site that required a login, you'll need to enter your username and password again. Websites may also forget your preferences — for example, if a site remembered that you prefer dark mode, it will go back to light mode until you log in again.
Some websites may load slightly slower the first time you visit them after clearing cookies, because they have to re-read certain data. This slowdown is temporary and usually not noticeable. If you cleared cookies by accident and need to undo it, you cannot recover them — you would need to log back in to your accounts and reset your preferences manually.
Setting your browser to clear cookies automatically
If you want to clear cookies every time you close your browser without doing it manually, you can turn on automatic clearing in your settings. In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data and toggle on Clear cookies and site data when you quit Chrome. In Edge, go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services and toggle on Clear browsing data, then select Every time you close the browser.
In Firefox, go to Settings > Privacy & Security and scroll to Cookies and Site Data. Check the box next to Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed. Internet Explorer does not have a built-in automatic clearing option, so you would need to clear cookies manually each time or use a third-party tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cookies delete my passwords?
No. Cookies and saved passwords are stored separately. Clearing cookies will not affect your saved passwords. You may need to re-enter passwords on some sites because the login cookie is gone, but your password manager will still have them saved.
Can I clear cookies from just one website instead of all of them?
Yes. In Chrome, Edge, and Firefox, you can right-click on any website and select an option like Delete cookies for this site or go to your browser settings and manage cookies by individual site. Internet Explorer does not offer this feature.
What's the difference between clearing cookies and clearing cache?
Cookies store login data and preferences. Cache stores images, videos, and other files to make websites load faster. Clearing one does not clear the other. Most browsers let you clear both at the same time in the browsing data menu.
Do I need to clear cookies regularly?
Not necessarily. Clearing cookies occasionally can improve privacy and free up a small amount of storage space, but it is not required for your computer to run well. If you share your computer with others, clearing cookies before handing it over is a good idea for privacy.