Every click, search, and login leaves a trace. Web browsers, as the gateways to the internet, record a huge amount of personal information. Microsoft Edge, the default browser in Windows 10 and Windows 11, stores browsing history, cookies, saved passwords, autofill data, and even syncs this information to your Microsoft account for seamless access across devices. While this is convenient, it also raises privacy concerns.
Whether you are troubleshooting browser issues, selling your PC, switching to another browser, or simply wanting to keep your online footprint clean, it’s crucial to know how to remove and delete all user data in Microsoft Edge. This guide will walk you through every method—ranging from basic browsing data deletion to advanced steps like clearing synced data, removing profiles, and even wiping leftover files from the system. By the end, you’ll have complete control over your browser privacy.
Understanding User Data in Microsoft Edge
Before deleting, it’s helpful to understand what counts as user data in Edge. Broadly, the data is categorized into the following types:
- Browsing History – Websites you’ve visited, including addresses, cached copies, and timestamps.
- Download History – A record of files downloaded (not the files themselves).
- Cookies and Site Data – Small files websites store on your computer to remember preferences, logins, or track activity.
- Cached Images and Files – Temporary files that speed up page loading but can accumulate over time.
- Saved Passwords – Login credentials stored by Edge’s password manager.
- Autofill Form Data – Stored addresses, credit card info, and other form entries.
- Site Permissions – Website-specific settings like camera, microphone, or location access.
- Profiles – Separate user accounts within Edge, each with its own bookmarks, history, and settings.
- Synced Data – Information stored in the Microsoft cloud if sync is enabled.
Each type of data can be cleared individually or all at once depending on your needs.
Different Types of Edge Data You Can Delete
This includes a detailed list of sites visited, which can compromise privacy if left unchecked.
- Download History: Though the actual files remain, Edge records every download for easy reference.
- Cookies and Site Data: Cookies personalize browsing, but they can also track your online habits.
- Cached Images and Files: While they speed up browsing, large caches slow down the browser and occupy disk space.
- Saved Passwords: Edge’s password manager saves credentials, but keeping them may be risky on shared devices.
- Autofill Data: Stored form entries save time but expose personal information.
- Site Permissions: Websites you’ve granted camera, location, or notification permissions to retain those rights.
- Profiles: Multiple users can create separate profiles, but deleting one removes all related data.
- Synced Data: If syncing is enabled, deleting only local data won’t be enough—you’ll need to clear it from Microsoft servers.
Step-by-Step Guide to Clearing Data in Edge
Method 1: Clear Browsing Data from Settings
- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Click the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner.
- Go to Settings > Privacy, Search, and Services.
- Under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear.
- Select the time range (Last hour, Last 24 hours, Last 7 days, Last 4 weeks, or All time).
- Check the boxes for data you want to remove (Browsing history, Download history, Cookies, Cached images, etc.).
- Click Clear now.
Method 2: Keyboard Shortcut for Quick Deletion
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete on your keyboard.
- The Clear browsing data window will open directly.
- Select the data types and click Clear now.
Automatically Deleting Data on Exit
Edge allows automatic data deletion whenever you close the browser:
- Go to Settings > Privacy, Search, and Services.
- Scroll down to Clear browsing data on close.
- Enable the toggles for data you want automatically deleted (History, Cookies, Cache, Passwords, Autofill, etc.).
This ensures your data never accumulates between browsing sessions.
Managing Saved Passwords, Autofill, and Profiles
Deleting Saved Passwords
- Go to Settings > Profiles > Passwords.
- View stored logins.
- Delete individual entries or disable password saving altogether.
Removing Autofill Data
- Navigate to Settings > Profiles > Addresses and More.
- Delete saved addresses and form data.
- To remove credit cards, go to Payment Info and delete entries.
Deleting Edge Profiles
- Click your profile icon at the top-right corner.
- Select Manage profile settings.
- Choose the profile you want to delete.
- Click Remove and confirm.
Clearing Synced Data from Microsoft Account
If sync is turned on, your data may still exist on Microsoft servers. To clear it:
- Visit Microsoft Privacy Dashboard.
- Sign in with your Microsoft account.
- Go to Clear browsing data.
- Choose the items you want removed (browsing history, search history, etc.).
- Confirm deletion.
You can also turn off sync in Edge:
- Go to Settings > Profiles > Sync.
- Toggle off Sync.
Deleting Extensions and Their Stored Data
- Open Menu (⋮) > Extensions.
- Click Manage extensions.
- Remove unwanted extensions.
- Some extensions store extra files in the system; to fully remove them, check Edge’s local storage folders (explained below).
Advanced Deletion via File Explorer and Registry
Even after clearing via settings, some files remain on your PC. To wipe them:
- Press Win + R, type:
%localappdata%\Microsoft\Edge\User Dataand press Enter. - Delete the entire folder or specific profile folders.
- To clear registry traces, open Registry Editor (
regedit) and navigate to:HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\EdgeDelete entries carefully (backup registry first).
Using PowerShell or Command Line
Advanced users can run commands to delete Edge cache and profiles. Example PowerShell command:
Remove-Item "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Microsoft\Edge\User Data" -Recurse -Force
This wipes all local data instantly.
Resetting Microsoft Edge to Default
If Edge behaves erratically or you want a clean slate:
- Go to Settings > Reset Settings.
- Click Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm reset.
This removes temporary data, disables extensions, and resets settings but keeps bookmarks.
Uninstalling Microsoft Edge Completely
Microsoft Edge is built into Windows 10/11, but advanced users can remove it:
- Open PowerShell as Administrator.
- Run:
Get-AppxPackage *MicrosoftEdge* | Remove-AppxPackage - Restart the system.
Note: Removing Edge may break Windows features dependent on it. A safer approach is just to reset and delete profiles instead of uninstalling.
Using Third-Party Tools for Data Deletion
- CCleaner – Automates cleaning Edge data.
- BleachBit – Open-source cleaner for deeper deletion.
- Glary Utilities – Includes browser cleanup options.
Pros: Deeper cleaning, scheduled tasks.
Cons: May delete too aggressively if misconfigured.
Privacy Settings to Prevent Future Data Collection
To limit how much data Edge collects in the first place:
- Disable Personalization: Settings > Privacy > Personalization & advertising.
- Block Third-Party Cookies: Settings > Cookies and site permissions.
- Enable Tracking Prevention: Choose Strict mode for maximum privacy.
- Disable Search History Sync: Turn off in Profiles > Sync.
- Use InPrivate Mode: Press Ctrl + Shift + N to open private browsing windows.
Final Thoughts
Microsoft Edge has matured into a fast, feature-rich browser, but like all browsers, it stores vast amounts of personal information. If left unchecked, this data may affect privacy, security, and system performance. Deleting browsing history and cache is just the start—true privacy requires clearing synced data, saved credentials, extensions, and even local folders hidden deep within Windows.
For most users, clearing browsing data and setting Edge to delete automatically on exit provides a good balance of convenience and privacy. For power users or those preparing to sell or reset a PC, deeper cleaning through File Explorer, Registry, or PowerShell ensures no trace remains.
By following the methods outlined above, you can remove and delete all user data in Microsoft Edge, giving you full control over your digital footprint and peace of mind knowing your personal information isn’t lingering where it shouldn’t be.
