Deleting cookies means clearing the small files your browser stores when you visit websites
Cookies are text files that websites ask your browser to save. They remember things like your login status, items in your shopping cart, or your language preference. When you delete cookies, you erase those stored files — which means websites will forget you were there, and you'll have to log back in next time you visit.
The steps to delete cookies differ slightly depending on which browser you use. Most people use Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. Each one stores cookies in a different location and uses different menu names to reach the deletion tool. The process takes about two minutes once you know where to look.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting cookies clears stored login information, so you will need to sign back into websites afterward.
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all have a "Clear browsing data" or "Clear history" option in their settings menu.
- You can delete all cookies at once or set your browser to delete them automatically when you close it.
- Deleting cookies does not remove your browsing history, passwords, or autofill information unless you specifically select those options too.
How to delete cookies in Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu that appears. On the left side, click Privacy and security, then click Clear browsing data.
A window will pop up. Make sure the time range at the top is set to All time if you want to delete every cookie your browser has stored. Then check the box next to Cookies and other site data. Leave the other boxes unchecked unless you also want to delete your browsing history or cached images. Click the blue Clear data button at the bottom right.
How to delete cookies in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left side, click Privacy & Security. Scroll down to the section labeled Cookies and Site Data.
Click the button that says Clear Data. A small window will appear. Make sure Cookies and Site Data is checked. You can leave Cached Web Content unchecked unless you want to delete that too. Click Clear to finish.
How to delete cookies in Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the very top of your screen. Select Settings (or Preferences on older Macs). Click the Privacy tab.
Click the button that says Manage Website Data. A list of websites will appear. To delete all cookies at once, click Remove All at the bottom right. To delete cookies from specific websites, select them from the list and click Remove.
How to delete cookies in Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left side, click Privacy, search, and services. Under the section labeled Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear.
A window will open. Set the time range to All time at the top. Check the box next to Cookies and other site data. Click the blue Clear now button.
Set your browser to delete cookies automatically
Instead of manually deleting cookies each time, you can tell your browser to delete them automatically when you close 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, then select Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed.
In Safari, click Safari > Settings > Privacy, then choose Remove all website data from the dropdown menu. In Edge, go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services, scroll to Clear browsing data, and toggle on Choose what to clear every time you close the browser.
What happens after you delete cookies
Once you delete cookies, websites will no longer recognize you. If you were logged into Gmail, Facebook, or your bank, you will be logged out. The next time you visit those sites, you will need to enter your username and password again. Websites may also forget your preferences — for example, if you had set a site to display in dark mode, it might switch back to light mode.
Your browsing history remains unchanged unless you specifically selected the option to delete it. Your saved passwords also stay in your browser unless you chose to delete those too. Only the cookie files themselves are removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting cookies remove my saved passwords?
No. Passwords are stored separately from cookies. When you delete cookies, your saved passwords remain in your browser unless you specifically check the box to delete them. You will still be logged out of websites, but your browser can automatically fill in your password when you log back in.
Can I delete cookies from just one website instead of all of them?
Yes, but it depends on your browser. Safari makes this easiest — you can select individual websites in the Manage Website Data window and click Remove. In Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, you can usually only delete all cookies at once through the settings menu. Some browsers have extensions that let you delete cookies from specific sites, but the built-in tools are limited.
What's the difference between deleting cookies and clearing browsing history?
Cookies are small files websites store on your computer. Browsing history is a list of websites you visited. Deleting cookies removes the stored data from those sites. Deleting history removes the record that you visited them. You can do either one without doing the other.
Do I need to delete cookies regularly?
Not unless you want to. Cookies don't slow down your browser or take up much space. Many people delete them for privacy reasons — so websites can't track them across visits — or to fix login problems. If neither of those concerns you, there's no technical reason to delete them regularly.
Will deleting cookies speed up my browser?
Probably not noticeably. Cookies are tiny files and don't significantly affect browser performance. If your browser is running slowly, the issue is usually something else — too many open tabs, a slow internet connection, or extensions that consume resources. Deleting cookies may help if you have thousands of them stored, but that's rare.