The fastest way depends on your browser
You can delete all bookmarks at once in every major browser, but the steps differ. Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all let you select and remove bookmarks in bulk through their bookmark manager, though the exact menu path and button names vary. The process takes under a minute once you know where to look.
If you want to delete only some bookmarks — say, everything in one folder but not another — most browsers let you do that too. A few browsers also let you export your bookmarks before deleting them, which is useful if you change your mind later or want to move them to a different device.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all have a bookmark manager you can open with a keyboard shortcut, usually Ctrl+Shift+B or Cmd+Shift+B on Mac.
- Once in the bookmark manager, you can select multiple bookmarks at once by holding Ctrl (or Cmd on Mac) and clicking each one, then delete them all together.
- Deleting bookmarks from the manager does not affect your browsing history or saved passwords — only the bookmarks themselves are removed.
- Most browsers let you export bookmarks to a file before deleting them, so you can restore them later if you change your mind.
How to delete all bookmarks in Chrome
Open the bookmark manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+B on Windows or Cmd+Shift+B on Mac. You can also click the three-dot menu in the top right, then go to Bookmarks > Bookmark Manager.
Once the manager is open, look for the "Bookmarks" folder on the left side. Click it to see all your bookmarks. Then click the three-dot menu in the top right of the bookmark manager window and select "Select all". This highlights every bookmark at once. Click the trash icon or press Delete to remove them all.
If you want to keep some bookmarks and delete only others, click the first one you want to remove, then hold Ctrl (or Cmd on Mac) and click each additional bookmark. Once you have selected them all, click the trash icon.
How to delete all bookmarks in Firefox
Press Ctrl+Shift+B on Windows or Cmd+Shift+B on Mac to open the bookmark sidebar. Then click the three-line menu icon at the top of the sidebar and select "Show All Bookmarks". This opens the Library window, which shows all your bookmarks organized by folder.
Click the "Bookmarks" folder on the left to see everything. Then use Ctrl+A (or Cmd+A on Mac) to select all bookmarks in that folder. Right-click and choose "Delete", or simply press Delete.
If you want to delete bookmarks from a specific folder only — like "Other Bookmarks" or a custom folder you created — click that folder instead of "Bookmarks" before selecting and deleting.
How to delete all bookmarks in Safari
Click "Bookmarks" in the menu bar at the top, then select "Show Bookmarks". This opens a sidebar showing all your bookmarks. Click the folder icon at the bottom of the sidebar to switch to folder view if you are not already there.
Click the "Bookmarks" folder to see everything. Then press Cmd+A to select all bookmarks. Right-click and choose "Delete", or press Delete.
Safari does not have a traditional bookmark manager window like Chrome or Firefox, so the sidebar is where you manage them. If you want to delete only bookmarks in one folder, click that folder before selecting and deleting.
How to delete all bookmarks in Edge
Press Ctrl+Shift+B to open the bookmark manager. You can also click the three-dot menu in the top right and go to Bookmarks > Manage bookmarks.
Once the manager is open, click the folder icon at the top left to switch to folder view. Click the "Bookmarks bar" or "Other bookmarks" folder to see what is inside. Then click the three-dot menu and select "Select all" to highlight every bookmark. Click the trash icon to delete them all at once.
Edge organizes bookmarks into folders like "Bookmarks bar" and "Other bookmarks". If you want to delete everything, you may need to repeat this process for each folder, since "Select all" only selects bookmarks in the folder you are currently viewing.
Exporting bookmarks before you delete them
If you think you might want your bookmarks back later, export them to a file first. In Chrome, open the bookmark manager, click the three-dot menu, and select "Export bookmarks". Choose where to save the file — your Downloads folder is fine. The file will be named "bookmarks_[date].html".
In Firefox, open the Library window (Ctrl+Shift+B, then "Show All Bookmarks"), click the gear icon, and select "Export Bookmarks". In Safari, click Bookmarks in the menu bar and select "Export Bookmarks". In Edge, click the three-dot menu, go to Bookmarks, and select "Export bookmarks".
Once the file is saved, you can delete your bookmarks without worry. If you change your mind, you can import the file back into your browser later. The import option is usually in the same menu where you found the export button.
What happens after you delete bookmarks
Deleting bookmarks removes them from your browser permanently — they no longer appear in your bookmarks menu or toolbar. However, deleting bookmarks does not affect your browsing history, saved passwords, autofill information, or any other browser data. Only the bookmarks themselves are removed.
If you delete a bookmark by accident and did not export a backup, you cannot recover it through your browser. This is why exporting before a mass deletion is a good idea if you are unsure. Some bookmarks may be synced across devices if you use a browser account — deleting them on one device may remove them from others too, depending on your sync settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I undo deleting all my bookmarks?
No, once you delete bookmarks, they are gone for good. Your browser does not have an undo button for bookmark deletion. If you exported your bookmarks to a file before deleting them, you can import that file to restore them. Otherwise, you will need to recreate them manually.
Will deleting bookmarks affect my browsing history?
No. Bookmarks and browsing history are separate. Deleting bookmarks removes only the saved links you created — your history of visited websites stays intact. If you want to clear your history too, that is a different action in your browser settings.
Do I need to delete bookmarks from each folder separately?
In most browsers, you can select all bookmarks at once from the main Bookmarks folder and delete them together. However, Edge requires you to delete from each folder separately because "Select all" only works within the folder you are currently viewing. Check your specific browser to be sure.
What if I sync bookmarks across multiple devices?
If you use a browser account and have sync turned on, deleting bookmarks on one device will remove them from all synced devices. Before deleting, check your sync settings to understand what will happen. You can turn off sync temporarily if you want to delete bookmarks on only one device.
Can I delete bookmarks without opening the bookmark manager?
Yes, in most browsers you can right-click a bookmark in your toolbar or menu and select "Delete" or "Remove". However, this only works for individual bookmarks, not for deleting everything at once. To delete all bookmarks quickly, the bookmark manager is your fastest option.