Clearing history in Microsoft Edge is a quick and simple process. All you need to do is access the browser’s settings, navigate to the privacy and services section, and select the option to clear browsing data. From there, you can choose what types of data you want to remove, such as cookies, cached files, and browsing history, and then confirm the action. This process will help keep your online activities private and can also free up space on your device.
When you clear your history in Microsoft Edge, you’re essentially wiping the slate clean. This means that any websites you’ve visited, searches you’ve made, and cookies that have been stored will be erased. This can be particularly useful if you’re using a shared computer and don’t want others to see your browsing history. It can also help improve the performance of your browser by removing old data that may be slowing it down.
Step by Step Tutorial: Clearing History in Microsoft Edge
Before we dive into the steps, it’s important to know that clearing your history will log you out of most websites and may remove some site preferences. Let’s get started.
Step 1: Open Microsoft Edge
Open Microsoft Edge by clicking on its icon on your desktop or searching for it in the start menu.
Once you have Microsoft Edge open, you’re ready to move on to the next step.
Step 2: Access Settings
Click on the three dots in the top right corner of the browser window and select ‘Settings’ from the drop-down menu.
This will take you to the settings page where you can adjust various options for your browser.
Step 3: Click on ‘Privacy, search, and services’
On the settings page, locate and click on the ‘Privacy, search, and services’ option on the left-hand menu.
This section is where you can manage your privacy settings and clear your browsing data.
Step 4: Select ‘Choose what to clear’
Scroll down to the ‘Clear browsing data’ section and click on ‘Choose what to clear’.
Here, you can specify exactly what type of data you want to remove from your browser.
Step 5: Choose your data and clear
Select the types of data you want to clear, such as browsing history, cookies, and cached files. Then, click on the ‘Clear now’ button.
After you confirm the action, Microsoft Edge will begin clearing the selected data from your browser.
Tips: How to Clear History in Microsoft Edge
- Tip 1: If you want to clear your history regularly, consider setting Microsoft Edge to automatically clear your browsing data every time you close the browser.
- Tip 2: You can also clear your browsing history from the Hub. Just click on the star icon in the top right corner, go to the history tab, and choose ‘Clear all history’.
- Tip 3: To quickly open the clear browsing data menu, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Delete.
- Tip 4: When clearing your history, you can choose a time range to clear data from the last hour, day, week, or all time.
- Tip 5: Keep in mind that clearing your cookies may log you out of websites and you may need to re-enter your login credentials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does clearing history delete passwords?
No, clearing your history does not delete saved passwords unless you specifically choose to clear ‘Passwords’ in the clear browsing data menu.
Can I recover my history after clearing it?
Once your history is cleared, it cannot be recovered. Make sure you’ve saved any important information elsewhere before clearing your data.
Will clearing history improve browser performance?
Yes, clearing your history can help improve browser performance by removing old and unnecessary files that may be slowing down your browser.
Can other people still see my history if I clear it?
No, once your history is cleared, it’s no longer accessible from your browser. However, your internet service provider or employer may still have access to your browsing history.
Is it possible to clear history for a specific website only?
Yes, you can clear history for specific websites by going to the history tab in the Hub, right-clicking on the website, and selecting ‘Delete’.
Conclusion
Clearing history in Microsoft Edge is an easy and effective way to protect your privacy and keep your browser running smoothly. Whether you’re concerned about others accessing your browsing history or you just want to clean up your digital footprint, following the steps outlined in this article will help you achieve that. Remember, regularly clearing your browsing data can also help boost your browser’s performance, so it’s worth considering as part of your routine computer maintenance. Now that you know how to clear history in Microsoft Edge, you can browse with confidence knowing that your information is secure.
Matthew Burleigh has been a freelance writer since the early 2000s. You can find his writing all over the Web, where his content has collectively been read millions of times.
Matthew received his Master’s degree in Computer Science, then spent over a decade as an IT consultant for small businesses before focusing on writing and website creation.
The topics he covers for MasterYourTech.com include iPhones, Microsoft Office, and Google Apps.
You can read his full bio here.