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 track where you go and what you do, which is why many people delete them regularly for privacy reasons.

Deleting cookies won't break your computer or cause problems. The worst that happens is you'll have to log back into websites and re-enter some preferences. If you're concerned about websites tracking your activity, or if you share your computer with other people, clearing cookies is a straightforward way to start fresh.

Key Takeaways

  • Every browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge — has a built-in tool to delete cookies, usually found under Settings or Preferences.
  • You can delete all cookies at once or choose a date range, like cookies from the last week or the last month.
  • Deleting cookies will log you out of most websites, so you'll need to sign back in afterward.
  • If you want to prevent cookies from being stored in the future, you can use your browser's private browsing mode or adjust cookie settings.

How to delete cookies in Google Chrome

Open Chrome and look for the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the window. Click those dots, then select Settings from the menu that appears. On the left side, click Privacy and security, then click Delete browsing data.

A window will pop up. Make sure Cookies and other site data is checked. At the top, you'll see a dropdown that says All time — you can leave it there to delete everything, or click it to choose a specific date range like Last hour, Last 24 hours, or Last 7 days. Once you've made your choice, click Delete data. Chrome will clear the cookies and close the window.

How to delete cookies in Firefox

Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (called a hamburger menu) in the top right corner. Click Settings, then on the left side click Privacy & Security. Scroll down to the section labeled Cookies and Site Data.

You'll see a button that says Clear Data. Click it. A window appears with two checkboxes — make sure Cookies and Site Data is checked. You can also check Cached Web Content if you want to free up more space. At the top, choose your time range from the dropdown menu, then click Clear. Firefox will delete the cookies immediately.

How to delete cookies in Safari

Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the very top of your screen (not inside the browser window). Click Settings or Preferences, depending on your macOS version. Click the Privacy tab.

You'll see a button labeled Manage Website Data. Click it to see a list of all websites that have stored cookies on your computer. You can click individual websites to remove just their cookies, or click Remove All to delete everything at once. Click Done when you're finished.

How to delete cookies in Microsoft Edge

Open Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu. On the left side, click Privacy, search, and services. Under the section Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear.

A window will open. Check the box next to Cookies and other site data. Use the dropdown at the top to select your time range — All time will delete everything, or you can choose Last hour, Last 24 hours, Last 7 days, or Last 4 weeks. Click Clear now to finish.

What happens after you delete cookies

Once you delete cookies, you'll be logged out of most websites. The next time you visit a site where you had an account, you'll need to enter your username and password again. Websites may also forget your preferences — for example, if you had set a website to display in dark mode, it might go back to light mode until you change it again.

This is temporary. As soon as you log back in or revisit websites, they'll start storing new cookies. If you're sharing your computer with someone else and want to keep your activity private, deleting cookies is helpful but not complete — consider using private browsing mode instead, which doesn't store cookies at all during that session.

How to stop cookies from being stored in the future

If you want to prevent websites from storing cookies without deleting them manually each time, use your browser's private or incognito mode. In Chrome, press Ctrl+Shift+N (Windows) or Command+Shift+N (Mac). In Firefox, press Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows) or Command+Shift+P (Mac). In Safari, click File and select New Private Window. In Edge, press Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows) or Command+Shift+P (Mac).

When you browse in private mode, your browser won't store cookies, history, or search information. Everything is deleted when you close the window. You can also adjust your cookie settings in each browser to block third-party cookies (the ones that track you across multiple websites) while still allowing first-party cookies (the ones that keep you logged in). Look for these options under Privacy settings in your browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will deleting cookies slow down my computer?

No. Deleting cookies actually frees up a tiny amount of storage space, though the difference is usually too small to notice. Cookies are very small files — you'd need millions of them to take up meaningful space. Your computer will run the same as before.

Do I need to delete cookies regularly?

It depends on your preferences. If you're concerned about privacy or you share your computer with others, deleting cookies monthly or weekly is reasonable. If you're the only user and you like staying logged in to your accounts, you don't need to delete them at all. There's no technical reason to do it.

What's the difference between deleting cookies and clearing browsing history?

Cookies are files websites store on your computer. Browsing history is a list of websites you visited. Deleting cookies logs you out of accounts and removes tracking data. Deleting history removes the list of sites you visited, but websites can still track you with new cookies. Most browsers let you delete them separately or together.

If I delete cookies, will websites still know who I am?

Not immediately. But if you log back in, they'll recognize you again and start tracking your activity with new cookies. If you want to browse without being tracked at all, use private browsing mode, which doesn't store cookies during that session.

Can I delete cookies from just one website instead of all of them?

Yes. In Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, you can go to Settings and find a section called "Cookies" or "Site Data" where you'll see a list of websites. Click the one you want to remove and delete just that site's cookies. In Safari, use the "Manage Website Data" button to select individual sites.