Microsoft Edge is the default web browser in Windows 10 and Windows 11. Over the years, it has become a reliable and feature-rich browser that rivals Chrome and Firefox. Like all browsers, Edge stores a wide range of user data—such as browsing history, cookies, cached files, saved passwords, bookmarks, and autofill information. While this data helps improve your browsing experience, there are times when you may want to remove and delete all user data for privacy, troubleshooting, or simply starting fresh.
In this detailed guide, we will walk you through multiple methods to remove and delete all user data in Microsoft Edge, step by step. By the end, you’ll know how to clear temporary browsing information, reset Edge, and even delete profiles completely if needed.
Why Remove User Data in Microsoft Edge?
Before diving into the steps, let’s quickly look at the main reasons why someone would want to remove Edge data:
- Privacy protection – Prevent others from viewing your browsing history, cookies, and saved data.
- Free up storage space – Cached files and cookies can take up unnecessary disk space over time.
- Troubleshooting browser issues – Problems like crashes, slow performance, or page-loading errors are often fixed by clearing data.
- Starting fresh – If you want to reset Microsoft Edge to its original state, removing all user data is the cleanest approach.
- Before selling or giving away your PC – To ensure none of your personal information is left behind.
Types of User Data Stored by Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge stores several kinds of user data. Understanding them helps you decide what to delete:
- Browsing History – A list of websites you’ve visited.
- Download History – Records of files you’ve downloaded (not the files themselves).
- Cookies and Site Data – Data websites store on your device, such as login sessions and site preferences.
- Cached Images and Files – Temporary files saved to load websites faster.
- Passwords – Saved login credentials for websites.
- Autofill Data – Information like names, addresses, phone numbers, and payment details.
- Extensions and Settings – Add-ons installed in the browser and their preferences.
- Profiles – If you use multiple Edge profiles, each one stores its own data.
Now, let’s look at the different methods to clear or delete them.
Method 1: Clear Browsing Data via Edge Settings
This is the most straightforward method and works for most users.
- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Click on the three-dot menu (⋯) in the top-right corner.
- Select Settings.
- From the left-hand menu, choose Privacy, search, and services.
- Scroll down to the Clear browsing data section.
- Click Choose what to clear.
- In the dialog box, select a time range (Last hour, Last 24 hours, Last 7 days, Last 4 weeks, or All time).
- Check all the items you want to remove:
- Browsing history
- Download history
- Cookies and other site data
- Cached images and files
- Passwords
- Autofill form data
- Site permissions
- Finally, click Clear now.
This will instantly remove the selected data from Microsoft Edge.
Method 2: Clear Data Automatically on Exit
If you want Edge to delete data every time you close it, you can set it up to do so.
- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Go to Settings → Privacy, search, and services.
- Scroll down and select Choose what to clear every time you close the browser.
- Toggle on the types of data you want cleared automatically (cookies, history, cached files, etc.).
Now, whenever you close Edge, your chosen data will be removed automatically.
Method 3: Reset Microsoft Edge
If you’re facing persistent problems, resetting Microsoft Edge is a stronger option. This resets settings and deletes extensions but keeps bookmarks and saved passwords unless you manually clear them.
- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Click the three-dot menu (⋯) → Settings.
- From the left pane, select Reset settings.
- Click Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm by clicking Reset.
This restores Edge to its default state and removes many forms of user data.
Method 4: Delete Edge User Profile
Each Edge profile stores its own browsing data. To completely wipe everything, you can delete the profile.
- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Click your profile icon in the top-right corner.
- Select Manage profile settings.
- Next to the profile you want to delete, click … (More actions).
- Choose Remove and confirm.
This deletes all browsing data, settings, and preferences associated with that profile.
Method 5: Delete Edge Data via File Explorer
Sometimes you may want to manually delete Edge’s data folders for a deeper clean.
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type:
%localappdata%\Microsoft\Edge\User Dataand press Enter. - This will open the folder where Edge stores profile data.
- Delete the Default folder (or any other profile folder).
- Restart Microsoft Edge.
Note: This will remove all user data permanently, including bookmarks, saved passwords, and settings.
Method 6: Use Windows Settings to Clear App Data
Windows allows you to clear app data directly from system settings.:
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Go to Apps → Installed apps.
- Scroll down and find Microsoft Edge.
- Click the three-dot menu (⋯) next to it.
- Select Advanced options.
- Scroll down and click Reset.
This removes all app-related data, essentially reinstalling Edge to a clean state.
Method 7: Use Command Prompt or PowerShell
Advanced users can remove Edge data using command-line tools.
Example with PowerShell:
- Open PowerShell as Administrator.
- Run this command to navigate to the Edge user data folder:
Remove-Item "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\Default" -Recurse -Force - Restart Edge.
This forcefully deletes all data from the Default profile.
Method 8: Sign Out of Microsoft Account (Optional)
If you’re signed into Edge with your Microsoft account, some data (like favorites, passwords, and extensions) may sync to the cloud. To ensure everything is removed:
- Open Edge.
- Click your profile picture.
- Select Sign out.
- Then clear browsing data using Method 1.
This prevents synced data from being restored automatically.
Tips for Managing Privacy in Microsoft Edge
- Use InPrivate browsing – This mode does not save history, cookies, or temporary files.
- Disable Sync – If you don’t want data stored in your Microsoft account, turn off sync in profile settings.
- Use Tracking Prevention – Edge includes built-in tracking protection (Basic, Balanced, Strict) to limit data collection by websites.
- Use Extensions Carefully – Some browser extensions may collect browsing data. Always install from trusted sources.
Conclusion
Removing all user data from Microsoft Edge is achievable through multiple methods, ranging from built-in browser features to manual file deletion. The built-in “Clear browsing data” feature suits most users, while complete reset or manual profile deletion offers more thorough removal for privacy-conscious users. Always ensure Edge is completely closed before attempting manual deletion, and consider the implications of removing saved passwords and bookmarks. Regular data maintenance helps protect privacy and keeps your browser running smoothly.
Remember that while these methods remove data from your local device, some information may still exist on websites’ servers or in Microsoft’s cloud services if you use sync features. For complete privacy protection, combine local data removal with appropriate account management and privacy settings adjustments.
