On a Windows desktop, the fastest way to manage Microsoft Edge browsing data is to press Ctrl+Shift+Delete. Alternatively, open Settings and more (…) > Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Choose what to clear. Select a time range, choose only the data categories you need, and select Clear now.
You can also open the control directly at edge://settings/clearBrowsingData. Before deleting anything, check whether Edge sync is enabled: data synchronized to other Edge devices may be affected, while Microsoft-account activity and website records are managed separately.
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Before clearing anything: decide where the data should be removed
“Clear browsing data” can mean several different things. Edge may store information locally in a browser profile, synchronize some information with other signed-in Edge devices, and associate certain activity with a Microsoft account. Websites and search providers may also retain their own records.
To check synchronization, open Settings and more (…) > Settings > Profiles > Sync, or visit edge://settings/profiles. Decide whether you want to affect:
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- This device only: local browser data on the current computer.
- Synced Edge devices: supported data types associated with the same signed-in Edge profile.
- Microsoft-account activity: information managed through Microsoft’s Privacy Dashboard.
If you want to limit the cleanup to the current device, Microsoft advises turning off sync first. Check important favorites and saved passwords before making a destructive change. Sync status affects the scope Edge reports for synchronized data, but it does not turn every form of cloud or website activity into local browser data.
How to clear browsing data in Edge
- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Select Settings and more (…) > Settings.
- Select Privacy, search, and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, select Choose what to clear.
- Choose a Time range, such as Last hour, Last 24 hours, Last 7 days, Last 4 weeks, or All time.
- Select only the categories you want to remove.
- Select Clear now.
The Ctrl+Shift+Delete shortcut on Windows opens the same clearing panel. Menu names and available options can differ on macOS, Android, iOS, older Edge releases, and managed work or school installations.
Microsoft’s current desktop instructions are available in its Edge browsing-data and privacy guide.
What each Edge data category removes
| Category | What it removes | What to know first |
|---|---|---|
| Browsing history | Visited URLs and associated visit dates and times. | It does not necessarily remove search-provider activity, Microsoft-account activity, or website-side records. |
| Download history | The list of downloads shown by Edge. | It does not delete the downloaded files. Delete those separately from File Explorer or their storage location. |
| Cookies and other site data | Site sign-in state, preferences, location information, media licenses, and similar stored data. | Clearing it often signs you out of websites and resets site preferences. |
| Cached images and files | Locally cached copies of pages, images, and media. | Pages may load more slowly the first time afterward. This is usually the least disruptive option for stale visual content. |
| Autofill form data | Saved form entries such as addresses and payment-related form data. | This is separate from saved website passwords in current Edge. |
| Site permissions | Per-site choices such as location, pop-ups, cookies, and media autoplay permissions. | It does not necessarily remove all other data held by the site. |
| Media Foundation data | Related media licenses, certificates, keys, and other media information. | Microsoft says some of this data is cleared after Edge restarts. |
| Passwords | Saved passwords were historically managed through this area. | In Edge 146 and later, passwords are no longer listed in the normal Clear browsing data dialog. Use Microsoft Password Manager instead. |
Microsoft’s history and browsing-data documentation explains these categories and the distinction between download history and downloaded files.
Choose the smallest cleanup that solves the problem
Fix one website that looks broken or outdated
Start by clearing that site’s cookies and site data, or its cached images and files. Clearing only the cache is less disruptive when the problem is a stale page, missing image, or outdated layout. Clear cookies when the site is stuck in an old session, repeatedly redirects, or behaves as though it has incorrect preferences.
Cookies may sign you out, so keep the site’s login details available before deleting them. If the problem affects only one website, site-specific cleanup is preferable to clearing the entire browser.
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Select Browsing history and choose an appropriate time range. Add Download history if you also want to remove the list of downloaded items. Remember that the actual files remain on the computer.
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- Durable and Reliable: This USB wireless mouse features a line-by-line scroll wheel, up to 1 year of battery life (2) thanks to a smart sleep mode function, and comes with the included AA battery
- Universal Compatibility: Your Logitech mouse works with your Windows PC, Mac, or laptop, so no matter what type of computer you own today or buy tomorrow your mouse will be compatible
- Plug and Play Simplicity: Just plug in the tiny nano USB receiver and start working in seconds with a strong, reliable connection to your wireless computer mouse up to 33 feet / 10 m (5)
- Better than touchpad: Get more done by adding M185 to your laptop; according to a recent study, laptop users who chose this mouse over a touchpad were 50% more productive (3) and worked 30% faster (4)
Adding Cookies and other site data removes more evidence from the local browser but also signs you out of many sites.
Remove incorrect autofill suggestions
Select Autofill form data. This removes stored form entries such as addresses and payment-related details. It does not mean that saved website passwords will be deleted; current Edge manages those separately.
Troubleshoot repeated sign-in prompts
For a persistent sign-in problem, Microsoft recommends trying Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files, with the time range set to All time, then restarting Edge. This can remove stale cookies, cached credentials, or authentication tokens, but it is not guaranteed to fix an account, server, or multifactor-authentication problem.
Use this step only after considering the sign-out consequences. Microsoft’s troubleshooting guidance is available at Troubleshoot sign-in issues in Microsoft Edge.
Clean up after using a shared computer
A practical selective cleanup is Browsing history, Download history, and, when appropriate, Cookies and other site data and Autofill form data. If you need to remove downloaded documents themselves, delete them separately from the Downloads folder.
How to delete saved passwords in current Edge
Do not look for a Passwords checkbox in the Clear browsing data window if you use Edge 146 or later. Microsoft removed that category in stable Edge version 146.0.3856.59, released on March 13, 2026, to reduce accidental password deletion.
To manage saved passwords:
- Open Settings and more (…) > Settings.
- Select Passwords and autofill.
- Open Microsoft Password Manager.
- Select a saved-password entry.
- Use its delete control to remove it.
The direct page is edge://settings/autofill/passwords. Do not describe clearing all browsing data as the current supported method for bulk-deleting passwords.
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Clear selected data automatically when Edge closes
To configure automatic cleanup, open Settings and more (…) > Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Clear browsing data > Choose what to clear every time you close the browser.
Turn on only the categories you want deleted at exit. Common choices include:
- Browsing history: removes local history after each session.
- Download history: removes Edge’s download list, not the downloaded files.
- Cookies and other site data: may sign you out of websites and remove preferences.
- Cached images and files: can reduce stored local cache but may make the next page load slower.
Leave passwords and autofill data alone unless you deliberately intend to manage those items through their separate controls. Exact controls can vary by version, platform, account state, and administrator policy. On managed Windows and macOS installations, administrators can use the ClearBrowsingDataOnExit policy. The related PasswordDeleteOnBrowserCloseEnabled policy applies to Edge 117 or later on Windows and macOS and is not supported on Android or iOS.
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Delete data for one website
If only one site is malfunctioning, avoid a full-browser reset. Use Edge’s site controls through Settings > Cookies and site permissions, then review permissions and stored data for the relevant website. Depending on the version, useful internal pages include:
edge://settings/siteDatafor stored site data.edge://settings/contentfor site permissions.edge://settings/privacyfor broader privacy controls.
Internal URLs are shortcuts, not guarantees that every version will display identical labels. If a shortcut changes, use the visible settings path and search for the site’s name, cookies, or permissions.
Local Edge data, sync, and Microsoft-account activity
These are separate layers:
- Local Edge controls remove browser-held data from the profile on the device.
- Sync controls determine which supported data types are synchronized among signed-in Edge installations. Clearing synchronized data may affect other devices.
- Microsoft Privacy Dashboard manages certain information Microsoft associates with the account, including relevant browsing or search activity.
Open the Microsoft Privacy Dashboard when your goal is account-associated activity rather than only local browser storage. Deleting information there does not necessarily delete corresponding local data on the computer. Conversely, clearing local history does not necessarily remove cloud-associated activity or records retained by websites.
Use InPrivate to avoid retaining a normal browsing session
InPrivate is a prevention measure for a new session, not a universal eraser. When all InPrivate windows close, Edge deletes that session’s browsing history, cookies, site data, passwords, addresses, and form data. Downloaded files remain on the device, and InPrivate activity does not sync to the Microsoft account.
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InPrivate does not make you invisible to websites, employers, schools, internet providers, network administrators, or services you sign into. It also does not erase pre-existing history or account activity. Use it when you do not want a new session retained in the normal Edge profile, not as a guarantee of anonymity.
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For broader Microsoft guidance, see How InPrivate works in Edge.
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Control password and autofill saving
Open Settings > Passwords and autofill > Microsoft Password Manager to adjust password-saving and autofill options. Turn off saving or autofilling passwords and passkeys if you do not want Edge to retain or fill those credentials. Manage ordinary form entries separately through the autofill controls.
Adjust cookies and tracking prevention
Use Settings > Cookies and site permissions to change cookie behavior. Use Settings > Privacy, search, and services to review tracking prevention and related privacy settings. Stronger restrictions can improve privacy but may cause some sites to lose features or require additional sign-ins.
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On Windows, open Settings > Profiles > Share browsing data with other Windows features and turn the setting off if you do not want locally stored Edge browsing information made available to features such as the Start menu or taskbar. Microsoft says InPrivate activity is not shared through this integration.
Common problems and their fixes
“The Passwords option is missing.”
This is expected in Edge 146 and later. Open edge://settings/autofill/passwords or use Settings > Passwords and autofill > Microsoft Password Manager.
“I cleared history, but websites still know me.”
History is only one local category. Cookies, active account sessions, synchronized data, website-side logs, search activity, and Microsoft-account activity are separate. Clear the relevant layer rather than assuming history deletion removes all records.
“I cleared downloads, but the files are still there.”
Download history is only Edge’s list. Delete the actual files from the Downloads folder or another storage location.
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Cookies and site data commonly contain session information. Clearing them can sign you out and reset preferences.
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“My other Edge devices changed too.”
Check Settings > Profiles > Sync. The deletion may have affected a synchronized data type.
“Clear-on-close does not remove everything.”
Clear-on-close applies only to the categories selected. It does not automatically delete downloaded files, website-side records, or every type of Microsoft-account activity.
“I cannot change these settings on a work computer.”
An administrator may restrict privacy controls, sync, password management, InPrivate, or Guest mode. Contact the administrator rather than changing registry settings or attempting to bypass the policy.
“The menus do not match.”
Edge labels and features vary by version, operating system, rollout status, account type, and organizational policy. Use the visible path in Settings or update Edge before assuming the feature has been removed.
Use profile removal only as a last resort
Removing an Edge profile is much more destructive than clearing a category. Microsoft says profile removal permanently deletes profile data stored on the device, such as history, favorites, form-fill data, and passwords. Confirm sync status, export or verify important information, and understand the consequences before removing a profile—for example, when handing a device to another person.
For most privacy or troubleshooting problems, targeted clearing, site-specific cleanup, clear-on-close, or InPrivate is safer than deleting the entire profile.
Further details on Edge’s privacy architecture and profile data are available in Microsoft’s Microsoft Edge privacy documentation.
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