How to Clear or Block Cookies in Microsoft Edge
Clear cookies for one site or all sites in Microsoft Edge, block third-party cookies, or remove cookies automatically when Edge closes.
To clear cookies in Microsoft Edge on Windows, open Settings and more > Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Clear browsing data > Choose what to clear. Pick a time range, select Cookies and other site data, then choose Clear now. This signs you out of most sites. If only one website is causing trouble, delete that site’s data instead of clearing everything.
To block third-party cookies, open Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Cookies and turn on Block third-party cookies. To block all cookies, turn off Allow sites to save and read cookie data. Blocking cookies can stop some pages or sign-ins from working correctly.
Choose the right cookie control
| What you want | Use this control | Scope and tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| Fix or reset one website | Delete that site’s cookies and site data | Targets one site; you may need to sign in again there. |
| Remove stored data for a period | Clear browsing data manually | Applies to selected data types and time range; signs you out of most sites. |
| Reduce cross-site cookie access | Block third-party cookies | Leaves first-party cookies available, but some embedded features may fail. |
| Prevent sites from saving cookies | Block all cookies | Broadest restriction; many sites need cookies for sign-in or basic functions. |
| Clear data whenever the browser closes | Clear cookies and site data on close | Removes them each time Edge closes and signs you out of most sites. |
| Discard a temporary browsing session | Use InPrivate | Cookies and site data for the session are deleted after all InPrivate windows close. |
Clear cookies for all sites or a time range
- Open Edge and select Settings and more (the three-dot menu), then Settings.
- Select Privacy, search, and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, select Choose what to clear beside Clear browsing data now. You can also press Ctrl+Shift+Delete to open the clearing flow.
- Choose the required Time range.
- Select Cookies and other site data. Check the other boxes only if you also want those data types removed.
- Select Clear now.
Microsoft Support notes that clearing the selected cookies and site data signs you out of most sites. Choose a narrower time range if you want to keep newer sessions. The checkbox selection matters: clearing cookies does not require clearing history, cached files, passwords, or other categories.
Delete cookies for one website
When one site is misbehaving, start with that site’s stored data. This can reset a broken session without removing cookies for every other site.
- Open Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Cookies.
- Select See all cookies and site data.
- Search for the site’s name or domain.
- Expand the matching entry and select Delete.
- Reload the site and sign in again if needed.
Deleting a site’s data may remove its saved preferences and session, not just a particular cookie. If the issue returns, check whether an extension, site setting, or account state is recreating it.
Block third-party cookies, all cookies, or one site
Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Cookies. Edge provides controls with different scopes:
- Block third-party cookies: turn on this setting to restrict cookies from sites other than the one you are visiting. Embedded sign-in, video, payment, or other cross-site features may be affected.
- Block all cookies: turn off Allow sites to save and read cookie data. This can break sign-in and other site functions. If a site stops working, restore the setting or add a targeted exception.
- Block a particular site: add its URL under Not allowed to save and read cookies.
- Allow a particular site: add its URL under Allowed to save cookies.
For a single site that needs cookies, use an allow rule for that site rather than enabling cookies globally if your policy is to block them elsewhere. Check the domain carefully so the exception applies to the intended site.
Clear cookies whenever Edge closes
- Open Settings > Privacy, search, and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, select Choose what to clear every time you close the browser.
- Turn on Cookies and other site data.
Edge removes cookies and other site data when it closes, which signs you out of most sites. Keep in mind that closing one window may not end the browser session if Edge continues running in the background or another window remains open.
Cookies, tracking prevention, and InPrivate are different
Cookie controls govern whether sites can save and read cookie data. Tracking prevention separately blocks trackers, and InPrivate is a temporary browsing session. They solve related privacy or troubleshooting needs, but one does not substitute for the others.
| Setting | What it does | Compatibility note |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking prevention: Basic | Blocks potentially harmful trackers while allowing most others. | Least likely of these levels to disrupt sites. |
| Tracking prevention: Balanced | Blocks potentially harmful trackers and trackers from sites you have not visited. | Default balance of protection and compatibility. |
| Tracking prevention: Strict | Blocks most trackers across sites. | More likely to affect pages or sign-in. |
| InPrivate | Deletes that session’s history, cookies, and site data after all InPrivate windows close. | Does not erase data during the session or make browsing invisible to an employer, school, or internet provider. |
A tracking-prevention exception for a site allows all trackers on that site, including potentially harmful ones. Use exceptions selectively. InPrivate also does not protect against malicious websites.
Sync and what clearing affects
Cookie clearing removes data stored by Edge on the device, but sync settings can affect synced browsing data across devices. Microsoft advises turning sync off first if you want to clear only the current device. Data in the Microsoft privacy dashboard is cloud data and is separate from items removed from the browser on a device. Clearing Edge cookies does not necessarily erase Microsoft-account data held in the cloud.
Temporary cookie access prompts
Edge may ask whether to temporarily let another site use cookies and site data. Microsoft says that approval lasts 30 days from the first approval and can be removed at Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Cookies > See all cookies and site data. Allowing this access may let the requesting site track activity across the web, so approve it only when the feature you need requires it.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| You are still signed in after clearing cookies | The wrong time range or checkbox was selected, or the site uses another sign-in mechanism. | Repeat the clear flow, verify Cookies and other site data is checked, and choose a time range that includes the session. For a single site, remove its entry from See all cookies and site data. |
| One site still shows stale or broken content | Its local site data may remain, or cached files may be involved. | Delete that site’s entry first. If the problem persists, consider clearing cached files separately, knowing that this is a different data category. |
| A site will not sign in or embedded content is missing | Third-party or all-cookie blocking may interfere with cross-site features. | Try allowing cookies for the specific site or turn off the restrictive setting temporarily to identify the cause. |
| A site keeps asking you to allow cookies | Cookie blocking or tracking prevention may prevent its expected storage or embedded requests. | Use a site-specific cookie allowance if you trust the site; separately review tracking-prevention exceptions if the problem is tracker blocking. |
| Cookies reappear after deletion | Visiting the site again can create new cookies; sync or another browser profile can also make the data seem to return. | Check the active Edge profile and sync state, then block or allow the site as needed. Deletion removes stored data at that moment; it does not stop future storage. |
| Cookie settings look different or are unavailable | Menu labels can vary by Edge version, device, or organization policy. | Use Settings search for “cookies” or “clear browsing data.” On a managed device, an administrator may control the setting. |
Performance, reliability, and cost
Cookie deletion is a local browser maintenance action and has no per-request service cost. The main practical cost is time spent signing in again and restoring site preferences. Blocking can reduce some cross-site storage, but strict settings can make sites unreliable; use a per-site rule when the issue is isolated. If you clear data to troubleshoot, record which time range and boxes you selected so the change is repeatable.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I clear cookies in Edge without clearing my passwords?
In the clear browsing data flow, select Cookies and other site data and leave passwords unchecked. Review every checkbox before choosing Clear now.
Does clearing cookies delete my saved bookmarks?
No. Bookmarks are a separate browser data type; the cookie clearing option targets cookies and site data.
Does blocking cookies stop all tracking?
No. Cookie settings and tracking prevention are separate controls, and clearing cookies does not make browsing anonymous.
Are these steps identical on macOS?
The documented cookie-management walkthrough applies to Windows 10 and Windows 11. Menu labels and steps may differ on macOS, so use Edge Settings search if the path differs.
