How to delete tracking cookies on windows 10

Q: Should I delete tracking cookies?

If youre using a public computer, you should delete them and other data, such as browsing history, right after your session. If its your personal device, its a good idea to remove all cookies at least once a month to keep your device neat.

You can clear your cookies on your Windows 10 computer to free up space and remove the browser activity from your hard drive.
Cookies are the saved files your browser makes as you visit websites to remember information and load quicker.
Deleting cookies removes them from your browser history and from your hard drive.
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The personal ads you see have started getting a little too personal, and it's making you uncomfortable.

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How to clear cookies on your Windows 10 computer using Microsoft Edge
How to clear cookies on your Windows 10 computer using Google Chrome
How to clear cookies on your Windows 10 using Mozilla Firefox
Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:
How to log off a Windows 10 computer in 4 different ways
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How to change the language on your Windows 10 device
How to turn off the touch screen on certain Windows 10 devices, or turn it back on
How do I permanently delete tracking cookies?
How do I get rid of tracking cookies Windows 10?
Should I delete tracking cookies?
How do I find tracking cookies on my computer?

You're worried about what someone might see over your shoulder if you type certain letters into your address bar and it autocompletes.

Or maybe you just played too many games on your browser and the saves are bloating your hard drive.

Different browsers store their own cookies, so if you use multiple browsers you'll need to do this multiple times. Alternatively, you may only need to clear the cookies from one browser.

There are many reasons you might want to get rid of cookies. Here's how.

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Windows 10 (From $139.99 at Best Buy)

How to clear cookies on your Windows 10 computer using Microsoft Edge

1. Microsoft Edge is the pre-installed browser that comes with Windows 10, and is Microsoft's updated version of what used to be Internet Explorer. You can open it by searching "Edge" in the start menu, pressing the Windows logo on your keyboard, or clicking the blue "e" symbol at the bottom-left of your screen.

2. With Edge open, click on the three horizontal dots at the top-right of the screen. Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu.

Find "Settings" in Microsoft Edge. Ross James/Business Insider

3. Select the "Privacy and security" tab. Then select "Choose what to clear."

A suggested thorough scrubbing. The second checkbox is the important one. Ross James/Business Insider

4. This will lead to a series of checkboxes about what you want to clear. Cookies will be filled in by default, but you can clear as many or as few of these as you'd like. You can also set Edge to clear these by default.

5. Select "Clear" to erase the information you've selected.

Select "Clear" to clear whichever cookies you selected. Ross James/Business Insider

The steps for other browsers are very similar.

How to clear cookies on your Windows 10 computer using Google Chrome

1. Open Google Chrome.

2. Press the three vertical dots at the top-right corner of your window, and select "Settings."

3. Select "Advanced" from the menu on the left.

4. "Clear browsing data" will be at the bottom of the "Privacy and Security" section. Click it, and check off the boxes that are relevant to your needs.

Advance options has been opened, revealing the "Privacy and Security" section. Ross James/Business Insider

How to clear cookies on your Windows 10 using Mozilla Firefox

1. Open Mozilla Firefox.

2. Press the three horizontal bars at the top-right of the window, and select "Options."

3. Select "Privacy & Security" from the menu on the left, and then find "Clear Data" from this menu.

4. Check off the boxes that are relevant to your needs and then select "Clear."

The "Clear Data" option is found in a very similar way to Chrome. Ross James/Business Insider

There are many other browsers not listed here, like Opera, that also store cookies. Usually they will follow a very similar set of steps to those listed here. A general rule of thumb is to find your browser's security options and look through them.

How to log off a Windows 10 computer in 4 different ways
How to get out of Safe Mode in Windows 10, so you can use your computer normally
How to change the language on your Windows 10 device
How to turn off the touch screen on certain Windows 10 devices, or turn it back on

Ross James is a freelance writer for Business Insider.

How do I permanently delete tracking cookies?

On your device, launch the Chrome app. At the top right, tap on the three dots, scroll down, and then select “Settings.” Under settings, tap “Privacy” then “Clear browsing data.” Select “Cookies, site data” and uncheck all other items.

How do I get rid of tracking cookies Windows 10?

Open Google Chrome. Click the menu button ⋮ > More Tools > Clear browsing data. On the Clear browsing data window, select which time range you want to clear. Put a check beside Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files, and then click Clear data.

Should I delete tracking cookies?

If you're using a public computer, you should delete them and other data, such as browsing history, right after your session. If it's your personal device, it's a good idea to remove all cookies at least once a month to keep your device neat.

How do I find tracking cookies on my computer?

Google Chrome Click the vertical three-dots icon on the top right-hand corner and then click Settings. Click Privacy and security. Select Cookies and other site data.