Reset Edge Browser Settings: Full Guide

Resetting Microsoft Edge returns the browser to its default state, clearing changed settings, disabled features, and problematic extensions while keeping your favorites, history, and saved passwords. You can reset Edge from the Settings menu under “Reset settings,” which restores the browser’s original configuration without deleting your personal data. This guide explains what a reset does, when to use it, and how to do it step by step.

What Resetting Edge Actually Does

When you reset Microsoft Edge, the browser reverts to its factory defaults in several key areas:

• Startup pages – any custom home page or new tab page reverts to Edge’s default (usually the Edge new tab page).
• Search engine – the default search engine returns to Bing (or whatever the default was when Edge was installed).
• Pinned tabs – all pinned tabs are unpinned.
• Extensions – all extensions are disabled (but not uninstalled).
• Site permissions – permissions like camera, microphone, location, and notifications are reset to their default behavior.
• Content settings – cookies, pop-ups, and other content settings return to default.
• Cache and temporary data – cached files and temporary data are cleared.

Importantly, a reset does not delete your browsing history, saved passwords, autofill data, or bookmarks. These are stored separately and are preserved during a reset.

When Should You Reset Edge?

Resetting is a troubleshooting step, not a routine maintenance task. You might consider it if you experience:

• Unexpected pop-ups or redirects – even after disabling extensions, you see ads or redirects.
• Search engine hijacking – your default search engine changes without your consent, often to a site you didn’t set.
• Slow performance – Edge takes a long time to start or load pages, and clearing cache doesn’t help.
• Settings that won’t stick – you change a setting but it reverts after restart.
• After malware removal – if you’ve cleaned a virus or unwanted program, a reset can remove any lingering browser modifications.
• Before selling or giving away a computer – though a full OS reinstall is better, a reset at least clears browser state.

If you’re only having issues with one website, try clearing that site’s data first. If the problem is a specific extension, disable it individually. Reset is a broad fix for systemic issues.

How to Reset Edge: Step-by-Step

Here’s how to perform a reset in current versions of Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based, version 79 and later):

1. Open Edge and click the three-dot menu (⋯) in the top-right corner.
2. Select Settings from the dropdown.
3. In the left sidebar, click Reset settings.
4. Click Restore settings to their default values.
5. A confirmation dialog appears. Read the summary of what will change. If you’re sure, click Reset.

Edge will close and reopen automatically. After the reset, you’ll see a welcome page and a message that your settings were reset. Your bookmarks, history, and passwords remain intact.

Note: If you’re using a managed device (school or work), the reset option may be grayed out. Your administrator controls those settings.

What a Reset Does NOT Fix

Resetting is powerful, but it’s not a cure-all. It won’t fix:

• Corrupted user profile – if your profile is damaged, a reset won’t help. You’d need to create a new user profile manually.
• System-level malware – if your computer is infected, resetting Edge won’t remove the malware. Use a dedicated antivirus scanner.
• Hardware or network issues – slow internet or crashes due to faulty RAM won’t be resolved by a browser reset.
• Sync conflicts – if your settings are synced to a Microsoft account, they may reappear after reset. You’d need to turn off sync temporarily.

If you’ve reset and the problem persists, try the more drastic step of uninstalling and reinstalling Edge (on Windows, it’s a system component, but you can use the “Repair” option in Settings > Apps).

Alternative: Reset Without Losing Extensions

If you want to keep your extensions but reset everything else, you can do a manual reset:

1. Go to edge://settings/reset (the same page as above).
2. Instead of clicking “Restore settings,” click Reset individual settings (if available) to reset specific items like startup pages or search engine.
3. Or, manually change the settings you care about: set your homepage, choose a search engine, and re-enable extensions one by one.

This approach gives you finer control but takes more time. It’s useful if you suspect one particular setting is causing the issue.

Common Problems After Reset

Sometimes a reset creates new issues. Here are a few and how to handle them:

• Missing bookmarks – If you were signed into Edge with sync, and sync was off, your bookmarks might be local only. After reset, they should still be there. If not, check edge://settings/profiles and ensure the correct profile is active.
• Extensions disabled – After reset, all extensions are off. Go to edge://extensions and re-enable the ones you trust.
• Search engine reverts to Bing – That’s expected. You can change it back in Settings > Search engine.
• Passwords not filling – If you use a password manager extension, re-enable it. If you use Edge’s built-in passwords, they’re still in edge://settings/passwords.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting Edge delete my saved passwords?

No. Saved passwords are stored in your profile and are not touched by a reset. They remain available after the reset. However, if you have sync enabled, ensure you’re signed in to the same Microsoft account to retrieve them on other devices.

Does resetting Edge remove malware?

No. A reset only restores browser settings. It can remove browser hijackers that modify settings, but it won’t remove malware from your system. Use a reputable antivirus program to scan and clean your computer.

How is resetting different from reinstalling Edge?

Resetting restores default settings while keeping your profile data (bookmarks, passwords, history). Reinstalling removes the browser entirely and reinstalls it, which also clears all data unless you back it up. On Windows, Edge is a system component, so you can’t uninstall it normally, but you can use “Repair” or “Reset” in Settings > Apps.

Can I undo a reset?

No, there’s no built-in undo. Once you reset, the previous settings are gone. However, if you had sync enabled, some settings might be restored from the cloud. To avoid losing custom settings, you can export your bookmarks and passwords before resetting (edge://settings/export-data).

Why is the reset option grayed out?

If you’re on a school or work device, your administrator may have disabled resetting. You can try using the “Repair” option in Windows Settings > Apps > Microsoft Edge, but if that’s also blocked, contact your IT department.

Will resetting Edge log me out of websites?

No. Cookies and site data are cleared, which may log you out of some sites that use cookie-based sessions. However, most sites use persistent cookies that are restored after you log in again. Your passwords are saved, so you can log back in easily.

Prevention: Keeping Edge Healthy

To avoid needing a reset in the future:

• Install extensions only from the official Edge Add-ons store.
• Keep Edge updated – updates include security fixes.
• Use a reputable ad blocker to reduce malvertising risks.
• Be cautious with downloads – avoid downloading from untrusted sources.
• Regularly clear cache if you notice slowdowns (Settings > Privacy > Clear browsing data).

Resetting Edge is a safe, effective troubleshooting step that preserves your personal data. Use it when you’ve exhausted simpler fixes, and you’ll likely resolve most browser-related issues.

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