What cookies are and why you might want to delete them
Cookies are small files that websites store on your computer to remember information about you — your login details, what you put in a shopping cart, your preferences. They make browsing faster and more convenient. But they also let websites and advertisers track where you go online, which is why many people delete them regularly for privacy reasons.
Deleting cookies won't break your computer or your browser. The worst that happens is you'll have to log back into websites you use often, and some sites will forget your preferences until you visit them again. If you're concerned about tracking or just want a fresh start, clearing cookies is safe and straightforward.
Key Takeaways
- Cookies are stored in your browser, not scattered across your computer, so you delete them through your browser's settings menu.
- Most browsers let you delete all cookies at once or choose a date range — for example, cookies from the last week or the last month.
- You can set your browser to delete cookies automatically when you close it, so you don't have to do it manually each time.
- Deleting cookies will log you out of most websites and erase saved passwords unless you choose to keep them.
- The steps differ slightly between Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, but the process takes less than a minute in any browser.
How to delete 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. Make sure the time range at the top is set to what you want — All time deletes everything, while Last hour, Last 24 hours, Last 7 days, Last 4 weeks, and Last 3 months let you be more selective. Check the box next to Cookies and other site data. You can leave the other boxes unchecked if you only want to remove cookies. Click Clear data and you're done.
How to delete cookies in Mozilla Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (the menu button) in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Privacy & Security on the left. Under the Cookies and Site Data section, click Clear Data.
A small window appears. Make sure Cookies and Site Data is checked. You'll see a dropdown that says Everything by default, which clears all cookies. If you want to delete only recent cookies, click the dropdown and choose Last Hour, Last 2 Hours, Last 24 Hours, Last 7 Days, or Last 4 Weeks. Click Clear and the cookies are gone.
How to delete cookies in Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the top of your screen. Select Settings (or Preferences on older versions). Click the Privacy tab.
Click Manage Website Data. You'll see a list of all websites that have stored cookies on your computer. You can select individual sites and click Remove, or click Remove All to delete everything at once. Click Done when finished.
How to delete cookies in Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three 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.
A window opens. At the top, select your time range — All time, Last hour, Last 24 hours, Last 7 days, Last 4 weeks, or Last 3 months. Check the box next to Cookies and other site data. Click Clear now and the cookies are deleted.
Setting your browser to delete cookies automatically
If you want cookies deleted every time you close your browser, you can set that up once and forget about it. In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data, then toggle on Delete cookies and site data when you quit Chrome. In Firefox, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data and select Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed. In Safari, go to Settings > Privacy and check Remove all website data when quitting Safari. In Edge, go to Settings > Privacy > Clear browsing data and toggle on Choose what to clear every time you close the browser, then select Cookies and other site data.
This approach means you'll stay logged out of most websites after each session, but it's the most private option if you share your computer or want minimal tracking.
What happens after you delete cookies
Once cookies are gone, websites won't remember you the next time you visit. You'll need to log in again to email, social media, banking sites, and anywhere else you have an account. Shopping sites will forget what was in your cart. Websites won't remember your language preference, font size, or other customizations you've set up.
Your browsing history and saved passwords are separate from cookies, so deleting cookies won't erase those unless you specifically choose to. If you want to keep passwords but delete cookies, make sure the password checkbox is unchecked when you clear your data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting cookies slow down my computer?
No. Cookies are tiny files and don't affect your computer's speed. Deleting them won't make your browser faster, but it won't make it slower either. The only noticeable change is that websites will take a moment longer to load the first time you visit them after deletion, because they have to set up new cookies.
Can I delete cookies from just one website?
Yes. In Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, you can go to your browser settings and find the option to manage cookies by site. In Safari, the Manage Website Data window shows every site with stored data — select the ones you want to remove and click Remove. This is useful if you want to log out of one account without clearing everything.
What's the difference between deleting cookies and clearing browsing history?
Cookies and history are separate. History is a list of websites you've visited; cookies are files websites store on your computer. You can delete one without the other. Most browsers let you choose which types of data to clear, so you can remove cookies while keeping your history, or vice versa.
Do I need to delete cookies for security reasons?
Cookies themselves aren't a security risk in the way viruses are. But they do let advertisers and websites track your movement online. Deleting them regularly is a privacy choice, not a security requirement. If you're worried about malware or hacking, focus on keeping your browser and operating system updated and using strong passwords.
Will websites work properly after I delete cookies?
Yes. Websites are designed to work without cookies — cookies just make them more convenient. You might notice that some sites load slightly slower the first time you visit after deletion, or that you have to set up your preferences again, but everything will function normally.