Delete cookies in Windows using your web browser settings
Cookies are small files your web browser stores when you visit websites. They remember your login information, shopping cart contents, and browsing preferences. To remove them, you go into your browser's settings and select the option to clear browsing data — the exact steps depend on which browser you use, but all modern browsers have this feature built in.
The fastest way is to use your browser's keyboard shortcut: press Ctrl + Shift + Delete. This opens the "Clear browsing data" or "Clear history" window in most browsers. From there, you choose what time period to clear (last hour, last day, all time) and make sure "Cookies" is checked before you click the button to delete them.
If the keyboard shortcut does not work, you can also reach this menu through your browser's settings. Look for a menu icon (usually three horizontal lines or three dots) in the top right corner of your browser window, then find "Settings," "History," or "Privacy" depending on your browser.
Key Takeaways
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete in your web browser to open the clear browsing data window on most browsers.
- Select "All time" or your preferred time period, check the "Cookies" box, and click Delete or Clear to remove them.
- Different browsers store cookies in different locations, so the exact menu names vary between Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari.
- Deleting cookies will log you out of most websites and remove saved passwords unless you specifically protect them.
- You can set your browser to delete cookies automatically every time you close it if you prefer not to do this manually.
Delete cookies in Google Chrome
In Chrome, press Ctrl + Shift + Delete to jump straight to the Clear browsing data window. At the top, you will see a dropdown menu that says "All time," "Last 24 hours," "Last 7 days," "Last 4 weeks," or "Last 4 weeks." Choose the time period you want to clear.
Below that, make sure the checkbox next to "Cookies and other site data" is checked. You can also check "Cached images and files" if you want to free up disk space. Leave unchecked anything you want to keep — for example, if you do not want to lose your saved passwords, leave "Passwords and other sign-in data" unchecked.
Click the blue "Clear data" button at the bottom right. Chrome will delete the cookies when ready. You will be logged out of most websites the next time you visit them.
Delete cookies in Microsoft Edge
In Edge, press Ctrl + Shift + Delete to open the Clear browsing data window. At the top, select your time range from the dropdown — "Last hour," "Last 24 hours," "Last 7 days," "Last 4 weeks," or "All time."
Check the box next to "Cookies and other site data." You can also check "Cached images and files" to clear temporary storage. Click "Clear now" at the bottom. Edge will remove the cookies right away, and you will need to log back into websites that required your password.
Delete cookies in Firefox
In Firefox, press Ctrl + Shift + Delete to open the Clear Recent History window. At the top, choose your time range: "Last Hour," "Last 2 Hours," "Last 4 Hours," "Today," or "Everything."
Make sure "Cookies" is checked in the list below. You can also check "Cache" to remove temporary files. Click "Clear Now" to delete them. Firefox will remove the selected cookies, and you will be logged out of most websites until you sign back in.
Set your browser to delete cookies automatically
If you do not want to manually delete cookies every time, you can tell your browser to delete them automatically when you close it. In Chrome, go to Settings, then click "Privacy and security" on the left side. Under "Clear browsing data," check the box next to "Delete cookies and site data when you quit Chrome." From that point on, all cookies will be removed each time you close the browser completely.
In Edge, go to Settings, then "Privacy, search, and services." Scroll down to "Clear browsing data" and toggle on "Choose what to clear every time you close the browser." Then click "Choose what to clear every time you close the browser" and check "Cookies and other site data."
In Firefox, go to Settings, then "Privacy & Security." Under "Cookies and Site Data," select "Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed." You can also click "Manage Exceptions" if there are specific websites where you want to keep cookies even after closing the browser.
What happens when you delete cookies
When you delete cookies, websites will no longer remember your preferences or login information. The next time you visit a site, you will need to log in again if it required a password. Shopping carts will be emptied. Websites will not remember your language preference, font size, or other customizations you had set.
Deleting cookies does not delete your browsing history, your saved passwords (unless you specifically cleared those too), or your bookmarks. It only removes the small files that websites use to track your activity and remember your choices. Your computer will run the same way — deleting cookies does not speed up your PC or free up meaningful disk space.
If you want to keep cookies from certain websites while deleting others, most browsers let you manage cookies individually. In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data > Manage all cookies and contact data. You can search for a specific website and delete only its cookies while keeping others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting cookies make websites load faster?
No. Cookies are very small files and do not significantly affect your computer's speed. Deleting them will not make your PC run faster or free up noticeable disk space. If your browser is running slowly, the issue is usually too many open tabs, outdated browser software, or malware — not cookies.
Can I delete cookies from just one website?
Yes. In most browsers, you can right-click on a website and select "Delete cookies for this site," or go to your browser's cookie settings and search for the specific website name. This lets you clear cookies from one site while keeping cookies from others.
What is the difference between deleting cookies and clearing browsing history?
Browsing history is a list of websites you visited. Cookies are files websites store on your computer. Deleting history removes the list of sites you went to, but cookies remain. Deleting cookies removes the files websites use to remember you, but your history list stays. The "Clear browsing data" window lets you delete both at the same time if you want.
Do I need to restart my computer after deleting cookies?
No. Deleting cookies takes effect when ready. You do not need to restart your PC or close and reopen your browser, though you will need to refresh any websites you have open to see the change take effect.
Will deleting cookies remove my saved passwords?
Only if you specifically check the "Passwords" or "Sign-in data" box when clearing browsing data. By default, most browsers keep passwords separate from cookies. If you only check "Cookies," your saved passwords will remain.