In Microsoft Edge, select Settings and more (…) > Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their default values, then select Reset. You can also type edge://settings/reset in the address bar. Your favorites, history, and saved passwords stay.
Applies to: Microsoft Edge on Windows 11. Checked on September 29, 2026.
What a reset does
A reset puts your startup page, new tab page, search engine, and pinned tabs back to normal. It turns off your extensions and clears cookies and other temporary data. It’s a good fix when the browser opens strange pages, shows a different search engine, or is full of pop-ups.
It keeps your favorites, browsing history, and saved passwords.
Test in an InPrivate window first
Before resetting, press Ctrl + Shift + N to open an InPrivate window and try the site or task that’s misbehaving. InPrivate runs without your extensions or stored cookies. If it works there, an extension or saved site data is the cause, and turning off extensions or clearing browsing data may fix it without a full reset.
Reset Microsoft Edge
- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Type edge://settings/reset in the address bar and press Enter. Or select … in the top-right corner, then Settings, then Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Read the message, then select Reset.
- Turn back on only the extensions you trust. Go to … > Extensions > Manage extensions.
Other browsers
Other browsers have their own reset option in their settings. Search their settings page for reset. The idea is the same: settings go back to normal and extensions are turned off.
Clear browsing data without a full reset
If Edge is just slow or a site won’t load properly, clearing its stored data may be enough. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete, set Time range to All time, check Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files, and select Clear now. Leave Passwords unchecked unless you want to remove them. You’ll be signed out of most websites afterward.
If Edge won’t open or keeps crashing
You can’t reset Edge if it won’t open. Repair it from Windows instead. This reinstalls the browser but keeps your favorites, history, and passwords:
- Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Find Microsoft Edge, select the three dots, and choose Modify.
- Select Repair and wait. You need an internet connection, because Windows downloads a fresh copy.
If the problem comes back after a reset
- Edge says “Your browser is managed by your organization” on a home PC. Something has set browser policies, which unwanted software sometimes does. Type
edge://policyin the address bar to see them, then run a full scan in Windows Security. - A program keeps changing your settings. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, sort by install date, and uninstall anything you don’t recognize that appeared around when the problem started.
- Sync brings back a bad extension. Edge syncs extensions between PCs. In Edge settings, open Profiles > Sync, turn off Extensions, remove the extension, then turn sync back on.
- Nothing else helps. Create a fresh profile: select your profile picture at the top left, then Other profiles > Add profile. A new profile starts with clean settings.
Start completely fresh by renaming Edge’s profile folder
If a normal reset doesn’t help, you can make Edge rebuild its profile from scratch. This removes anything that isn’t synced to your Microsoft account, so make sure sync is on first.
- Close Edge. In Task Manager, end any Microsoft Edge processes still running.
- Press Windows + R, type
%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Edge, and press Enter. - Rename the User Data folder to User Data.old.
- Open Edge. It starts like a new install. Sign in to bring back synced favorites and passwords.
If something is missing, close Edge and rename the folders back. Once you’re happy, you can delete User Data.old.
Remove policies left by unwanted software
If edge://policy lists policies on a home PC that no one manages, they can lock your homepage or search engine even after a reset. Open the Registry Editor and look for an Edge key under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft and HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft. Back up the registry, delete the Edge key, and restart the PC. Don’t do this on a work PC, where IT sets these policies on purpose.
Frequently asked questions
Will I have to sign in to websites again?
Probably. A reset clears cookies, so many sites will sign you out. Your saved passwords stay, so signing back in is quick.
The problem came back after the reset. What now?
An extension or a program on the PC may be changing the settings again. Remove extensions you don’t recognize, and run a scan with Windows Security. To just empty stored files, see how to clear cache in Windows 11.
How do I make Edge my default browser, or stop it from being the default?
See how to change the default browser in Windows 11.
Does resetting Edge remove malware?
Not by itself. A reset undoes changes that unwanted software made to Edge, but the software may still be on the PC. Run a scan in Windows Security > Virus & threat protection as well.
Does a reset affect Edge on my other devices?
Settings reset only on this PC. Your synced favorites and passwords stay on every device.
How long does a reset take?
A few seconds. Edge applies the reset straight away without restarting. Close and reopen it to make sure your startup page and search engine are back to normal.
The steps match Microsoft’s answer on resetting Edge in Microsoft Q&A. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Related: how to turn off Microsoft Edge in Windows 11.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.