In today’s digital age, we visit numerous websites every day. When we use the browser for work, study, entertainment, or shopping, our browsing history, cookies, cache, and other data get stored in the Edge browser. Sometimes, it becomes necessary to clear browsing history to protect privacy, improve browser speed, or remove old data.
Deleting browsing history in the new Microsoft Edge browser is very easy. Let’s learn how to do it step-by-step in this article.
Why Is It Important to Delete Browsing History?
There are several benefits to clearing your browsing history:
- It helps maintain your privacy
- The browser will run faster
- Old search and website information will be removed
- It can help resolve issues related to logins or forms
- It helps prevent your personal data from being stored on a shared computer
How to Delete Browsing History in the New Microsoft Edge?
Method 1: Via Browser Settings
- Open the Microsoft Edge browser on your computer.
- Click on the three dots (⋯) in the top-right corner.
- Select Settings from the menu.
- Click on Privacy, search, and services in the left-hand menu.
- Scroll down and locate the Clear browsing data section.
- Click on Choose what to clear.
- A pop-up window will open. Here, you can select the data you wish to delete.
- Check the Browsing history option. 9. If you wish, you can also select Download history, Cookies and other site data, and Cached images and files.
- Then, click the Clear now button.
This will delete your selected browsing data.
Method 2: Use a keyboard shortcut
You can use this shortcut to quickly clear your browsing history:
- Ctrl + Shift + Delete
After pressing this shortcut, the “Clear browsing data” window will open. You can then select the history and clear it by following the steps mentioned above.
What data can be deleted?
Microsoft Edge offers several options. Some of them include:
- Browsing history – A list of websites you have visited
- Download history – A list of files you have downloaded
- Cookies and other site data – Site login and session data
- Cached images and files – Temporary files stored to improve browser speed
- Passwords – Saved passwords
- Autofill form data – Information automatically filled into forms
- Site permissions – Permissions such as camera access, location, etc.
Warning: Be careful before deleting passwords or autofill data. Clear them only when necessary.
How to delete history for a specific time period?
In Microsoft Edge, you can delete not only your entire history but also data for a specific time period.
For example, you can choose:
- Last hour
- Last 24 hours
- Last 7 days
- Last 4 weeks
- All time
You can select any of these options. This allows you to delete only the specific history you want to remove. —
How to Automatically Clear History
If you prefer not to manually clear your history every time, Edge offers automation options. Additionally, using Incognito or InPrivate browsing ensures that certain data is not saved after you close the browser.
Using InPrivate Mode
- Open Edge.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + N.
- A new InPrivate window will open.
- Browsing in this mode minimizes the history recorded.
This mode is particularly useful in situations where privacy is important.
What Happens After Clearing History?
After clearing your browsing history:
- Previously visited websites will no longer appear in the history list.
- You may need to log in again on certain sites.
- Some sites might load slightly slower than usual.
- If you delete cached data and cookies, websites will need to reload their resources.
Useful Tips
- Clear your browsing history regularly.
- Don’t forget to clear your history when using public or shared computers.
- Back up your passwords before deleting them.
- Use InPrivate browsing if you require enhanced privacy.
- Clearing the cache can also help resolve browser performance issues.
Conclusion
Clearing your browsing history in the new Microsoft Edge browser is a quick and simple process. With just a few clicks, you can protect your privacy and improve browser performance. Whether you are using a laptop, desktop, or shared device, making a habit of regularly clearing your history is highly beneficial.
It is best to regularly manage not just your history, but also cookies, cache, and other browsing data according to your needs.
