Microsoft Edge stores a variety of browsing data components on your PC, ranging from basic data like usernames and passwords, cookies, and cache files to advanced information like location permissions and media licenses. While these browsing components efficiently improve your browsing experience, they also take up a lot of storage space on your hard drive. So, it’s important to learn how to manage and delete browsing data components in Microsoft Edge. In this, we’ll guide you throughout the process in brief:
Apart from learning how to manage and delete browsing data in Microsoft Edge, you can also read 15 Microsoft Edge shortcuts you need to know
Complete guide to manage and delete browsing data components in Microsoft Edge
What kind of browsing data is stored in Microsoft Edge
Before you proceed further with managing and deleting data in Microsoft Edge, it’s important to know first what kind of browsing data is stored in the web browser.
Microsoft Edge stores the following data:
- Browsing History
- Cookies
- Cache data and files
- Your download history
- Form data
- Passwords and other personal details
Apart from this basic information, the browser also stores advanced information such as:
- Location permissions
- Pop-up exceptions
- Full-screen permissions
- Compatibility permissions
- Media Licenses
You can delete all these details from the settings interface of Microsoft Edge.
How to delete browsing data components in Microsoft Edge
In order to delete browsing data components in Microsoft Edge, you’ll need to follow the following instructions:
Step 1. First of all, launch Microsoft Edge web browser on your PC
Step 2. Now, click on the More actions menu (three horizontal dots located in the upper right-hand corner)
Step 3. Select Settings from the drop-down menu appears in front of you. This will navigate you to the settings interface of the web browser
Step 4. Scroll down and click on Choose what to clear button under the clear browsing data section
Step 5. The clear browsing data window will appear in front of you, displaying the list of various browsing components. From here, you can select any component for deletion. Here’s what you need to do:
- Click on the checkbox next to the component you want to select for deletion
However, make sure to go through the details of each component before you delete them.
Step 6. Once you’re done with your selections, just click on the Clear button. This will immediately delete the browsing data from your device.
Also Read: How to set Microsoft Edge as default browser
How to manage browsing data components in Microsoft Edge
Manage Saved Passwords
Here’s how to manage saved passwords in Microsoft Edge:
Step 1. First of all, click on the More actions menu (three horizontal dots located in the upper right-hand corner)
Step 2. Select Settings option from the drop-down menu that appears in front of you. You’ll be navigated to the Settings interface of Microsoft Edge
Step 3. In the Settings interface, scroll down to find View advanced settings option and click on it
Step 4. Scroll down until you find the Privacy and services section
Step 5. Now, click on Mange my saved passwords link to enter Manage Saved Passwords interface of Microsoft Edge. Here you see the list of all passwords saved on your hard drive along with its username and website URL
In order to delete any individual password, click on the X button next to it. You can modify saved passwords by clicking their name to open the edit dialogue.
Manage Cookies
In order to manage cookies on Microsoft Edge:
Step 1. Navigate to the Privacy and Settings section of Microsoft Edge’s Settings interface
Step 2. In the bottom of the section, you’ll see an option labeled Cookies along with a drop-down menu containing the following choices:
- Don’t block cookies: Allows the browser to save all cookies sent from websites
- Block all cookies: Disables the browser from saving cookies sent from websites
- Block only third party cookies: Only the cookies sent from third-party website aren’t saved
Step 3. Just click on any of the above-mentioned options and save the settings
Read More: How to set Microsoft Edge as default browser
Manage Saved Form Entries
In order to manage the information entered into Web forms:
- Go to the Privacy and services section found in Microsoft Edge’s Settings interface
- You’ll see an option called Save form entries which is enabled by default. You can disable it anytime to prevent the browser from saving form entries
Manage Protected Media Licenses
Here’s how to manage protected media licenses in Microsoft Edge:
- Enter the Privacy and services section if the Settings interface of Microsoft Edge
- Scroll down until you see an option labeled Let sites save protected media licenses on my device. The option is enabled by default. You can disable it by clicking in the button next to it
Manage Cortana: Clearing Browsing data in the Cloud
In order to clear browsing data in the cloud from Cortana, you’ll need to follow some simple steps mentioned below:
- Go to bing.com within the Microsoft Edge
- Click on the Settings button in the left menu pane of the web page. This will display Bing’s settings
- Now, select the Personalization option in the page’s header. Bing’s Personalization settings will display in front of you
- Scroll down until you find Other Cortana Data and Personalized Speech, Inking and Typing section and click on the clear button
- In the next, you’ll be prompted whether you want to delete the data from Microsoft servers or not. Just click on the Clear button to confirm your action
You can also stop Cortana from providing assistance with the web browser. Here’s what you need to do:
- Go to the Privacy and services section of Microsoft Edge’s Settings
- Here, you’ll see an option called Have Cortana assist me in Microsoft Edge
- Just click on it the button next to the option to disable it
That’s all we have in our complete guide on how to manage and delete browsing data components in Microsoft Edge. Stay tuned for more updates!
