Cookies play a vital role in enhancing your browsing experience by remembering login details, saving preferences, and keeping items in your shopping cart. However, over time, accumulated or corrupted cookies can cause issues like slow loading times or problems accessing certain websites. Clearing your cookies can help resolve these issues and free up valuable system resources. This guide will show you how to delete cookies on your Windows 11 PC using Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox.

Deleting cookies in Microsoft Edge

Removing cookies in Microsoft Edge is straightforward, and you have the option to delete cookies for specific websites or all sites at once.

Step 1: Open Microsoft Edge by clicking on its icon in the Start Menu or by searching for "Edge" and selecting it from the results.

Step 2: Once Edge is open, click on the three-dot "ellipsis" icon in the upper-right corner of the window to access the menu. From the dropdown, select Settings.

Step 3: In the Settings tab, click on Cookies and site permissions from the left-hand sidebar.

Step 4: Under the Cookies and data stored section, click on Manage and delete cookies and site data.

Step 5: Next, select See all cookies and site data to view all stored cookies.

Step 6: To delete all cookies, click on Remove all in the top-right corner.

Step 7: If you prefer to delete cookies from specific websites, use the search bar to find the site or scroll through the list. Click the downward arrow next to the website to expand the details, then click the trash icon next to each cookie category to remove them.

To automatically clear cookies every time you close Microsoft Edge, you can adjust your settings accordingly.

Step 8: In the Settings tab, click on Privacy, search, and services in the left sidebar.

Step 9: Scroll down to the Clear browsing data section and click on Choose what to clear every time you close the browser.

Step 10: Toggle on the option for Cookies and other site data.

Step 11: To keep cookies from certain websites, click on Add next to the Don't clear option.

Step 12: Enter the URL of the website you want to exclude, check the box for Include third-party cookies on this site if desired, and click Add.

Microsoft Edge will now delete cookies every time you close the browser, except for the sites you've added to the exceptions list.

Deleting cookies in Google Chrome

Clearing cookies in Google Chrome is also a simple process, allowing you to remove cookies from all websites or specific ones as needed.

Step 1: Open Google Chrome by searching for it in the Start Menu and clicking on the application.

Step 2: Click on the three-dot "kebab" menu icon in the upper-right corner of the window, and select Settings from the dropdown menu.

Step 3: In the Settings tab, click on Privacy and security from the left sidebar.

Step 4: Click on Clear browsing data in the main pane.

Step 5: In the overlay window, select the Basic tab. Choose the desired Time range from the dropdown menu (e.g., Last hour, Last 24 hours, All time). Tick the checkbox next to Cookies and other site data, and uncheck any other boxes if you don't wish to clear those data types. Click Clear data to proceed.

Note: This action will sign you out of most websites. However, your Google account may remain signed in.

If you want to delete cookies for a specific website or manage cookies differently, follow these steps:

Step 6: In the Settings tab, click on Privacy and security from the left sidebar again.

Step 7: Click on Cookies and other site data.

Step 8: Scroll down and select See all cookies and site data.

Step 9: Use the search bar to find a specific website or browse through the list. To delete cookies for a particular site, click the trash icon next to it.

You can also remove cookies for the website you're currently visiting.

Step 10: While on the website, click the lock icon next to the URL in the address bar, and select Cookies from the dropdown.

Step 11: In the Cookies in use window, click Remove to delete the cookies for that site.

To set Chrome to automatically clear cookies every time you close the browser, follow these steps:

Step 12: In the Cookies and other site data settings, scroll down to the General settings section. Toggle on the option for Clear cookies and site data when you close all windows.

Now, Chrome will delete cookies every time you exit the browser.

Deleting cookies in Mozilla Firefox

Mozilla Firefox also allows you to clear cookies for all websites or specific ones, and you can set it to delete cookies automatically when you close the browser.

Step 1: Open Mozilla Firefox by searching for it in the Start Menu and clicking on the application.

Step 2: Click on the three-line "hamburger" menu icon in the upper-right corner, and select Settings.

Step 3: In the Settings tab, select Privacy & Security from the left sidebar.

Step 4: Scroll down to the Cookies and Site Data section and click on Clear Data.

Step 5: In the overlay window, check the box next to Cookies and Site Data, and click Clear.

To remove cookies for specific websites, use the following steps:

Step 6: In the Cookies and Site Data section, click on Manage Data.

Step 7: In the overlay window, search for the website using the search bar or scroll through the list to find it.

Step 8: Select the desired website and click Remove Selected, then click Save Changes.

To set Firefox to delete cookies every time you close the browser:

Step 9: Back in the Cookies and Site Data section, check the box next to Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed.

Firefox will now automatically clear all cookies each time you exit the browser.

By following these steps, you can effectively manage and delete cookies on your Windows 11 PC across different browsers. This can help improve your browsing experience and resolve issues related to outdated or corrupted cookies.