How to delete saved passwords in Microsoft Edge and protect your accounts

If you use Microsoft Edge daily, it's very likely that the browser has stored dozens (or even hundreds) of passwords for websites, emails, and online services. Sometimes it's great that they autofill, but other times it's not ideal. Delete all saved passwords in EdgeWhether it's for security reasons, because you share the equipment, or simply because you want to start from scratch. If you don't know how, consult How to view saved passwords in browsers on Windows.

The problem is that, in the most recent versions, the way to delete passwords has changed, and many users are encountering outdated instructions that no longer work: clicking on the three dots only displays options for import or export passwordsBut it doesn't offer the option to delete them all at once. In this guide, we'll see, in detail and without beating around the bush, how to manage, edit, sync, and delete passwords in Microsoft Edge, what limitations the built-in manager has, and what more secure alternatives you can use.

How to view and manage saved passwords in Microsoft Edge

First, locate the panel where Edge stores all your credentials. From there you can View, delete, edit, or export your saved passwords according to what you need.

To open the password screen in the current version of Edge on Windows or macOS, do the following:

• Open Microsoft Edge on your computer.
• Click on the icon three horizontal dots (…) located in the upper right corner of the window.
• In the drop-down menu, click on "Settings".
• In the left sidebar, enter the section "Profiles".
• Within "Profiles", select the option "Passwords".

On this screen you will see the login section with options to save new passwords, log in automatically, and below, a list of all the passwords saved by the Edge manager for that profile.

Note that this list is displayed per browser profile. If you use multiple profiles or different Microsoft accounts within Edge, each one has its own. independent password set.

Why does the "Delete all" button no longer appear in passwords?

Some older answers and outdated tutorials indicate that, within the passwords section, you need to press in the three dots next to "Saved Passwords" to see the "Clear all" option. This no longer works this way in modern versions of Edge.

Currently, when you tap on that three-dot menu, what appears is basically the possibility of import or export passwords (for example, to move them to another browser or create a CSV copy), but there is no direct button to delete the entire list at once from there.

This has caused confusion, because many users expect to find a Shortcut to delete all Edge passwords in one click on that same screen. Instead, Microsoft has integrated bulk password deletion within the section of "Clear browsing data", which is within the privacy options.

Let's see how it's done step by step and what the implications are if you use cloud synchronization with your Microsoft account.

How to delete all saved passwords in Microsoft Edge (updated method)

If you would like to delete all locally stored passwords In Edge, for your current profile, you should use the browsing data clearing feature. This system also clears history, cookies, cache, etc., and includes passwords among its options. If you want to permanently delete all locally stored passwords, also consider using secure password erasure methods within the system.

Steps to manually delete passwords from Edge on Windows or macOS:

• Open Edge and click on the three dots (…) from the upper right corner.
• Choose "Settings".
• In the side panel, go to "Privacy, Search and Services".
• Scroll to the block called "Clear browsing data".
• Click the button "Choosing what should be erased".
• In the "Time interval" dropdown menu, select "Always" to make sure that no old credentials remain.
• Check the box "Passwords" (This may appear as "Passwords and other login details" depending on the version.)
• If you want, uncheck the rest of the items (history, cookies, cache, etc.) so that only the passwords are deleted and you don't lose anything else.
• Click on «Delete now» and wait for the process to finish.

When you finish, if you go back to the section Settings > Profiles > PasswordsYou should see the list empty or reduced to the passwords created after the deletion. This procedure only affects the current device and profile, but not necessarily what you have in the cloud if synchronization is enabled.

On mobile devices (for example, Edge on Android), the process is similar: you go into settings, sections of privacy and data deletionSelect "passwords" and choose to delete them for the entire time period. This will remove the credentials stored locally on your phone.

Prevent Edge from automatically deleting passwords when the browser is closed

Edge lets you configure automatic data deletion every time you close the browser. This is very useful on shared computers, but it can cause problems if you've inadvertently enabled the option. Remove passwords when closing Edge.

The path to review this configuration is similar to the previous one:

• Go to Settings > Privacy, search and services.
• In the "Clear browsing data" section, go to "Choose what should be deleted each time the browser is closed" (it can also be accessed by typing) edge://settings/clearBrowsingDataOnClose in the address bar).
• You will see a list of items: browsing history, download history, cookies, cache, Passwordsform data, site permissions, etc.
• If the box "Passwords" If it's enabled, Edge will automatically delete them every time you close the browser.

Uncheck that box if you want passwords to remain available between sessions. For cookies, you'll see a small warning and the option to... add exceptions For websites whose data you never want deleted. If you prefer a more radical way to prevent the browser from saving credentials, see how prevent browsers from remembering passwords.

In corporate environments, administrators can use a specific policy called “PasswordDeleteOnBrowserCloseEnabled” To prevent passwords from being deleted even when the general policy to clear data on exit (ClearBrowsingDataOnExit) is active. This policy is configured using Group administrative templates (ADMX) in Windows (path SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge or the recommended equivalent) or through configuration preferences in macOS.

How to remove passwords from cloud synchronization as well

Many users encounter this scenario: they delete passwords from Edge on their PC and mobile device, verify that nothing remains, but as soon as they re-tick the box... "Passwords" in the data to be synchronizedMysteriously, they all reappear. This happens because the passwords are still stored in the cloud and associated with the Microsoft account.

To truly remove passwords, two things must be taken into account:

• Edge syncing It stores copies of your passwords (and other data) on Microsoft servers linked to your account.
• If you don't delete that synchronized data, when you reactivate synchronization, the cloud content will be deleted. Download again and merge with what you have locally.

Recommended steps to completely remove synchronized passwords:

1. Temporarily disable password synchronization on all your devices (PC, laptop, mobile, tablet) where you use the same Edge profile.
   • On each device, log in Settings > Profiles > Sync.
   • Uncheck the option of "Passwords" or turn off synchronization completely if you prefer.
2. Delete local passwords Following the "Clear browsing data" method explained earlier, select "Passwords" and the "All time" time interval.
3. Clear synchronized data If it's available in your account:
   • From your profile in Edge, you can access advanced sync management or your Microsoft account page.
   • In many cases there is an option to reset synchronizationThis deletes the data stored in the cloud and forces you to re-upload anything you have locally from scratch.
4. Once you are sure that no passwords remain either locally or in the cloud, reactivates synchronization if you are interested in continuing to use it from scratch.

If you can't find a clear option in your Microsoft account to delete only synced passwords, a full reset of syncing is the most effective way to ensure that Do not leave old credentials associated.

What happens when Edge passwords disappear "for no reason"?

In Microsoft support forums there are many cases of people who, overnight, find that All your passwords saved in Edge have disappearedThis shouldn't happen spontaneously, so it's almost always due to one of these reasons:

• Someone manually deleted the passwords using the "Clear browsing data" function with the "Passwords" box checked.
• Is any setting (local or company policy) enabled that deletes data when you close the browserAnd that data includes passwords.
• There has been a change in login status from the Microsoft account (for example, sign out, switch profiles, reset synchronization) that causes Edge to no longer have access to the synchronized credentials.
• Synchronization was disabled, A copy was never uploaded to the cloud and, once deleted locally or the profile is lost, there is no way to recover them.

When passwords have been deleted (locally or in the cloud) and there's no backup, there's no magic option within Edge to restore them. In that case, the only thing you can do is log in manually to each site and let the browser offer to save them again.

To minimize the risk of future losses, it's a good idea to make sure that the Password synchronization is enabled and consider, additionally, export regularly the credentials to an encrypted file or to an external password manager.

How to edit a specific password saved in Microsoft Edge

If what you're interested in isn't deleting everything, but modify a specific password Because you've changed it in a service, Edge lets you do it relatively easily.

There are two common ways to access the password editing screen: from the settings menu (Profiles > Passwords) or from a notification that appears when your browser detects you've changed a password on a website. Assuming you're accessing it from the password list, follow these steps:

• Accede to Settings > Profiles > Passwords.
• Locate the entry for the site whose password you want to change. They usually appear on site name, web address, and username.
• On the right, you'll see a three-dot icon or a context menu next to the security or "health" indicator for that password.
• Click on those three dots and select the option to edit the password.
• Edge will ask you to verify your identity by entering your Microsoft account password or your device PIN code (depending on how you have it set up).
• Once you have passed the verification, you will be able to modify the username, password, or both fields.
• Save the changes and from then on, the browser will use the updated credentials when you log in again.

This additional verification is a basic form of Multi-factor authentication within the Edge itselfEven if someone has access to the PC with the browser session open, they will not be able to see or change the passwords without knowing the system password or PIN.

Set up multi-factor authentication to strengthen your accounts

Even though Edge asks for a PIN or password to view or edit credentials, that's not enough to truly protect your online accounts. If someone gets hold of your main Microsoft password or full access to your computer, you'll be in a very precarious situation. That's why it's essential. enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) in all important services.

Multi-factor authentication adds a second verification step In addition to the username and password, it's common to use a mobile phone to receive one-time codes (OTP) via SMS, notifications from an authentication app, or even use the phone's own biometric recognition.

The idea is that, even if your password is leaked or falls into the wrong hands, they won't be able to access your account. without that second factorPlatforms such as Microsoft, Google, PayPal, social networks and banks already integrate the AMF in a relatively convenient way.

Setting it up usually involves going into the section of security or privacy For each service, register your phone number or an authenticator app and follow the activation wizard. It's a somewhat tedious step at first, but in the long run, it's one of the best defenses against credential theft attacks.

Making the leap to access keys and passwordless systems

Beyond traditional passwords, increasingly more common methods are being used. access keys (passkeys), a login system that uses cryptography and biometric data to identify you without you needing to remember anything.

Access keys are based on the creation of a pair of cryptographic keysA private PIN that stays on your device and a public PIN that is registered with the service. When you log in, the site asks you to confirm your identity, and your mobile device, computer, or password manager signs the request using your fingerprint, face, or a local PIN.

This system has several advantages:

• It avoids many problems of forgotten or reused passwords in several places.
• It drastically reduces the risk of Phishingbecause the access key is linked to the correct domain.
• It protects against brute-force attacks because there is no simple password that can be guessed.

Currently, access keys are already being implemented in platforms like Microsoft and PayPaland are compatible with recent system versions such as iOS 17 or Android 14. Many external password managers are also beginning to integrate them into their own ecosystem, allowing you to save and use these keys just as you did before with passwords, but with much greater security.

Create strong and unique passwords if you continue to use them

If you're not yet ready to switch to access codes, or if your favorite service doesn't support them, you'll have to stick with traditional passwords. In that case, it's crucial that each account has a unique password. strong and unique passwordeven though it's a pain to memorize them all.

The basic principles for a secure password are:

• Have at least 12 characters (better if there are more).
• Mix uppercase, lowercase, numbers and symbols.
• Avoid dictionary words, obvious strings ("123456", "qwerty") or typical substitutions ("P4ssw0rd").
• Do not reuse the same password on multiple sites, especially on email, banking, social media, and work accounts.

Creating truly unique combinations for each service can be done manually, but you'll usually end up forgetting them. That's why using a random password generator (integrated into a trusted password manager) is a much more practical and secure solution.

Why you should use a dedicated password manager

When you start implementing best practices and generating a unique password for each website, the big problem quickly becomes apparent: it's impossible to remember from memory Dozens of complex passwords. That's where a specialized password manager comes in.

An external password manager allows you to:

• Save in encrypted form all your credentials in a "vault" protected by a single master password.
• Use autocomplete on websites and applications so you don't have to type anything.
• Storing not only passwords, but also sensitive data such as bank cards, addresses, private notes, access codes, etc.
• Securely share some specific passwords with family members or colleagues.

Many of these managers (for example, those that integrate advanced encryption like XChaCha20 and a model of zero knowledgeThey are designed precisely so that not even the provider can see the contents of your vault. This way, if you properly configure multi-factor authentication and keep your device protected, the risk is greatly reduced.

In addition, they often offer browser extensions for browsers like Edge, which allows you to have the same convenience of autocomplete but with an additional layer of security that the browser's native manager does not always provide.

If you like the convenience of having autocomplete integrated into your browser, you can install the official extension of your chosen password manager for Edge. This way you maintain the ease of use you have now, but with a security architecture designed from the ground up for this purpose.

Ultimately, deleting saved passwords in Microsoft Edge, properly configuring synchronization, and deciding where to store them long-term are all part of the same strategy: truly control who can access your accounts and reduce all possible weaknesses. By following the steps and advice in this guide, you can clean your current credentials, prevent them from being regenerated from the cloud without your permission, and establish a solid foundation for managing your passwords more securely and with fewer surprises.