Cookies are small text files that websites store on your device to remember preferences, login details, or track activity. Over time, these files can build up and impact your privacy and browser performance. If you’re looking to delete cookies on Windows 10, this guide will walk you through step-by-step methods across different browsers and Windows tools.
Why You Should Delete Cookies
Here are some common reasons for removing cookies from your system:
Improve browser performance by clearing outdated data
Protect your privacy from tracking or ad targeting
Fix website loading issues or login errors
Free up storage space on your device
Reset website preferences or start fresh
Deleting cookies is especially helpful when websites behave unexpectedly or you’re using a shared computer.
What Happens When You Delete Cookies?
When you delete cookies:
- You are logged out of most websites
- Website settings like themes and language may reset
- Your browsing becomes less personalized
- Some websites might take longer to load initially
Deleting cookies does not remove browser extensions, bookmarks, or browsing history—only site-specific data.
How to Delete Cookies on Google Chrome
Step-by-step:
- Open Google Chrome
- Click the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner
- Select Settings
- Click Privacy and security from the left menu
- Choose Clear browsing data
- In the popup, select Cookies and other site data
- Choose the time range (e.g., last hour, 7 days, all time)
- Click Clear data
Optional – Delete cookies for specific sites:
- Go to Privacy and security > Site Settings > Cookies and site data
- Click See all site data and permissions
- Search for a website and remove its cookies
How to Delete Cookies on Microsoft Edge
Step-by-step:
- Open Microsoft Edge
- Click the three-dot menu in the top-right
- Go to Settings
- Click Privacy, search, and services
- Scroll to Clear browsing data and click Choose what to clear
- Select Cookies and other site data
- Set your time range and click Clear now
Optional – Auto-delete cookies on exit:
- Go to Clear browsing data > Choose what to clear every time you close the browser
- Toggle on Cookies and other site data
How to Delete Cookies on Mozilla Firefox
Step-by-step:
- Open Mozilla Firefox
- Click the menu icon (three lines) in the top-right
- Select Settings
- Click Privacy & Security
- Scroll to Cookies and Site Data
- Click Clear Data
- Check Cookies and Site Data
- Click Clear
Optional – Delete for a specific site:
- Click Manage Data
- Search the site
- Select and click Remove Selected
Auto-clear on exit:
- Enable Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed in the same section
How to Delete Cookies Using Windows 10 Settings
Windows 10 system settings offer limited cookie control but still allow clearing some temporary browser data.
To access:
- Click Start > Settings
- Choose Privacy
- Go to App permissions
- Under Browser Data, click Clear browsing data
This option redirects to browser settings in most cases, especially for Microsoft Edge.
Using Disk Cleanup to Remove Temporary Internet Files
Disk Cleanup is a built-in Windows tool that can remove temporary files, which may include older browser data.
Steps:
- Type Disk Cleanup in the Start menu
- Select your main drive (usually C:)
- Wait for scanning to complete
- Check Temporary Internet Files
- Click OK to delete
Note: Modern browsers like Chrome or Firefox do not store cookies in areas managed by Disk Cleanup, so it’s more effective for older Internet Explorer data.
Delete Cookies from One Website Only
If you’re only facing issues with one site, deleting all cookies may not be necessary.
In Chrome:
- Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Site Settings > Cookies and Site Data
- Click See all site data and permissions
- Search the domain and click Trash icon next to it
In Edge:
- Go to Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Manage and delete cookies
- Click See all cookies and site data
- Find and remove specific website cookies
Using Third-Party Tools to Delete Cookies
Apps like CCleaner or BleachBit offer advanced cookie deletion features:
- Automatically clean cookies from all browsers
- Exclude certain cookies you want to keep
- Schedule periodic cleanups
However, use these tools cautiously. Make sure the tool is reputable and offers preview options to avoid deleting important data unintentionally.
How Often Should You Clear Cookies?
This depends on your usage and privacy needs:
Casual users: Once every month
Privacy-conscious users: Once a week
Shared/public computer users: After every session
If experiencing issues: Immediately after troubleshooting steps
Too frequent clearing may reduce convenience, so strike a balance based on your habits.
FAQs About Deleting Cookies on Windows 10
How do I delete all cookies on Windows 10?
Go to your browser settings (Chrome, Edge, or Firefox), access Clear browsing data, select Cookies and other site data, then confirm.
Will deleting cookies log me out of websites?
Yes, most websites will require you to sign in again after cookie deletion.
Can I delete cookies from only one site?
Yes, all major browsers offer tools to manage cookies by site. This is useful when one website is misbehaving.
Does clearing cookies improve speed?
Yes. Removing old or broken cookies can fix slow-loading pages and improve browser performance.
Is clearing cache the same as clearing cookies?
No. Cookies store personal settings and login data, while cache stores images and scripts to help load sites faster.