To reset desktop Microsoft Edge to its default settings, open Settings and more (…), select Settings, go to Reset settings, choose Restore settings to their default values, review the confirmation dialog, and select Reset. Menu labels can change between Edge versions, so treat the dialog on your screen as the final word on what will happen.
This guide covers that reset, what it is reported to change, what remains unclear about your favorites, history and passwords, and the narrower options that may fit your problem better. The steps are written for desktop Edge; menu layouts on other platforms are not covered here.
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Before you reset
- Write down the settings you want back. If you use a custom startup page, new tab page, or default search engine, note them now so you can set them again afterward.
- Check whether sync is on. Synced browser data is handled differently from data stored only on this computer (see the comparison below).
- Protect anything you cannot afford to lose. Microsoft’s sources do not settle whether favorites, browsing history or saved passwords survive a settings reset, so keep a copy of anything important before you confirm.
How to reset Edge to default settings
- Open Microsoft Edge and select Settings and more (…) in the top-right corner.
- Select Settings.
- Select Reset settings in the left pane.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Read the confirmation dialog carefully. If it lists effects that differ from the list in this guide, follow the dialog.
- Select Reset to confirm.
- Restart Edge, then check your startup page, new tab page and search engine.
What the reset is reported to change
Microsoft Community support replies describe the following effects of restoring defaults. This is community guidance, not a current first-party Microsoft reset specification, so the confirmation dialog governs.
- The startup page is restored to the default.
- The new tab page is restored to the default.
- The default search engine is restored to the default.
- Pinned tabs are removed.
- Extensions are turned off.
- Temporary data such as cookies is cleared.
What the sources do not establish
Microsoft Community replies disagree about personal data. One says favorites, history and passwords are removed by the reset; another describes a different set of effects and does not list them. Because neither reply is official product documentation, this guide does not promise that your personal data will be kept or deleted. Assume nothing is safe until you have checked the result, and back up what matters first.
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Reset settings versus clearing browsing data
A settings reset and the separate Clear browsing data tool solve different problems. The reset changes preferences. Clearing browsing data deletes selected categories of stored information. Microsoft’s current guidance for the latter lets you choose categories such as history, cookies, cached files, passwords and form data, plus a time range, at Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Clear browsing data.
| Factor | Restore settings to their default values | Clear browsing data |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Reported to reset the startup page, new tab page, search engine and pinned tabs, turn off extensions, and clear temporary data such as cookies (Microsoft Community guidance) | Only the categories and time range you select, such as history, cookies, cached files, passwords and form data |
| Sync impact | Not stated in the sources for personal data; check your sync state before proceeding | Synced items may also be removed on other synced devices, depending on sync state (Microsoft guidance) |
| Best fit | Preferences have changed unexpectedly, or you want a clean slate for settings | You want to erase specific stored data while keeping your preferences |
If the problem is a crash or loading error
A reset is not the first tool for crashes, slow pages or failed loading. Microsoft’s troubleshooting guidance points to other steps that match these symptoms better. None of them is guaranteed to fix the problem.
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- Update Microsoft Edge to the latest version.
- Clear cached data.
- Disable extensions one at a time to find a conflicting one.
- Restart the browser.
- Check security software and network settings, such as a firewall, proxy or VPN, that may block pages.
Restore your search provider after a reset
If Edge does not use the search engine you want after the reset, change it here:
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesQuick Recap
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- Work at the speed of your ideas – Built with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite (12 Core) processors, Surface Laptop delivers fast, AI‑accelerated performance—making it the most powerful Surface laptop for everything from multitasking to demanding workloads.
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- A 13.8" TOUCHSCREEN YOU'LL ACTUALLY USE — Sharp colors, real detail, smooth 120Hz scrolling on the PixelSense touchscreen[1] with LCD display[2]. Tap, scroll, or pinch to zoom - whichever feels right for streaming, editing photos, or daily work.
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- Open Settings and more (…) > Settings.
- Select Privacy, search, and services.
- Select Search and connected services.
- Select Address bar and search and choose your provider.
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