How to Allow or Block Cookies in Microsoft Edge

This guide shows you how to control cookie settings in Microsoft Edge, letting you decide which sites can store data on your device. You’ll learn to allow all cookies, block third-party cookies, or block everything, and how to set exceptions for specific sites. No special tools are needed—just your Edge browser.

What You’ll Need

Microsoft Edge installed on Windows, Mac, or Linux (the steps are the same for all).
Administrator rights on your computer if you want to change policy-level settings (not required for basic cookie management).

Step-by-Step

Open Edge and access settings. Click the three-dot menu (⋯) in the top-right corner of the browser window, then select Settings from the dropdown.
Go to Cookies and site permissions. In the left sidebar, click Cookies and site permissions. If you don’t see it, click the hamburger icon to expand the sidebar.
Open cookie management. Under the Site permissions section, click Cookies and site data. This opens the main cookie settings page.
Choose your cookie policy. You’ll see several options. Select one:
- Allow sites to save and read cookie data (recommended) – This is the default. It allows all cookies, including third-party ones.
- Block third-party cookies – This blocks cookies from domains other than the one you’re visiting. It’s a good balance between privacy and functionality.
- Block all cookies – This blocks all cookies. Warning: this will break many websites’ login features and may cause errors.
Adjust the toggle for “Block third-party cookies” (if needed). If you chose “Allow sites to save and read cookie data,” you can still enable the toggle that says Block third-party cookies to prevent cross-site tracking.
Set exceptions for specific sites (optional). Below the main options, you’ll find Allow and Block sections. Click Add next to either, type the site’s URL (e.g., example.com), and click Add again. This lets you override the global setting for particular sites.
Close the settings tab. Your changes are saved automatically. No need to restart the browser, but some sites may require a refresh to apply the new cookie behavior.

Common Mistakes

Confusing “block all” with “block third-party.” Blocking all cookies will log you out of almost every site and disable shopping carts. If you only want to stop tracking, use “Block third-party cookies.”
Forgetting to add exceptions. If you block all cookies but need to use a banking site, you must manually add that site to the Allow list, or you’ll face login issues.
Not refreshing after changing settings. Cookie changes don’t apply to already-loaded pages. Refresh the page or restart the browser to test the new behavior.
Assuming clearing cookies is the same as blocking. Clearing cookies deletes existing data but doesn’t prevent new ones. You need to change the settings as described above.

Tips

Use “Block third-party cookies” as your default. It stops most cross-site tracking while keeping sites functional.
Check the “See all cookies and site data” link. This lets you review and delete individual cookies if you want to troubleshoot a specific site.
Use InPrivate mode for temporary browsing. InPrivate windows don’t store cookies after you close them, but they still allow cookies during the session. This is handy for quick, isolated browsing.
Keep in mind that some sites require cookies for essential features. If a site breaks after blocking cookies, add it to the Allow list rather than disabling the block globally.

Troubleshooting

Websites still show cookies after you blocked them. This can happen if the site uses local storage or other tracking methods that aren’t cookies. Also, check that you didn’t accidentally add the site to the Allow list. Clear your cache and refresh the page.
You can’t find the “Cookies and site data” option. Make sure you’re in the correct section: Settings > Cookies and site permissions. If you’re using an older version of Edge, the path might be slightly different—update the browser to the latest version.
Changes don’t stick after restarting Edge. This can occur if you have a group policy or a third-party security tool that overrides browser settings. Check your organization’s policy (if applicable) or temporarily disable such tools to test.
You want to allow cookies for a site but the option is grayed out. This usually happens when the site is managed by an extension or a policy. Disable relevant extensions or check your system administrator.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between first-party and third-party cookies?

First-party cookies are set by the website you’re visiting (e.g., a login token on your bank’s site). Third-party cookies are set by other domains, typically for advertising or social media widgets. Blocking third-party cookies reduces cross-site tracking.

Will blocking all cookies make me anonymous?

No. Cookies are just one tracking method. Websites can still see your IP address, browser fingerprint, and use other storage like local storage. Blocking cookies reduces tracking but doesn’t make you anonymous.

How do I clear existing cookies after changing settings?

Go to Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Cookies and site data, then click See all cookies and site data. Use the “Remove all” button or select individual sites. You can also press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+Delete (Mac) to open the clear browsing data menu.

Does Edge sync my cookie settings across devices?

No, cookie settings are per-device. They are not synced, even if you’re signed in with the same Microsoft account. You’ll need to configure them on each device.

Can I allow cookies for a specific site while blocking all others?

Yes. Set the global policy to “Block all cookies,” then add the specific site to the Allow list under Cookies and site data. This works for both first-party and third-party cookies.

Why do some sites break when I block third-party cookies?

Many sites use third-party cookies for single sign-on (e.g., “Sign in with Google”), embedded content, or payment processing. If a site breaks, add it to the Allow list, or temporarily switch to “Allow all cookies” to complete the task.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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