- Resetting Edge settings allows you to fix bugs and restore performance by returning the browser to a near factory state.
- Clearing history, cache, and other browsing data helps to resolve page loading problems and improve browser smoothness.
- Managing Microsoft's cloud synchronization is key to resolving errors between devices and controlling what personal data is stored online.
- Backing up your favorites before resetting ensures that you don't lose your bookmarks even if your browser is completely repaired.
If your browser Microsoft Edge If your device is lagging, freezing, or behaving strangely, it might be time for a good refresh. Resetting the settings and clearing accumulated data with [the appropriate software/method/etc.] There It is one of the fastest ways to regain their agilityIn this article you will learn How to reset Edge settings, clear history, empty cache, and troubleshoot sync issues, both on the computer and in the Microsoft cloud.
Throughout this guide you will see step by step what options the browser itself offers and also what you can do from the settings. Windows or as Reinstall Microsoft Edge If Edge won't open or is badly damaged, we'll also review how to back up your favorites before touching anything, to avoid unpleasant surprises, and what the real implications are of pressing the dreaded reset button. The goal is for you to be able to Leave Edge practically at factory settings without losing more data than necessary and understand well what gets deleted and what doesn't.
Why resetting Microsoft Edge might be helpful
Over time, Edge accumulates problematic extensionscookies Temporary files and configuration changes that we often don't even remember touching. All of this can cause the browser to become sluggish, unstable, or start displaying strange errors. In these situations, Resetting Microsoft Edge to its default settings is usually a quick and effective solution. to leave it like it was just installed.
It's important to understand that this process may result in the loss of some personal data: homepages are reset, extensions are deactivated, some custom settings are deleted, and even part of your browsing history may be cleared. Therefore, it's advisable to... First, assess what information you need to keep (such as favorites) and back it up. If necessary. Even so, in many cases, sacrificing some adjustments is worthwhile to regain stability.
Another common reason for resetting Edge is related to synchronization. The browser might insist that it can't sync your data across devices, display constant notifications, or fail to update your bookmarks. Passwords or configurations between your computer and mobile device. In those scenarios, A Microsoft cloud sync reset can unlock the system and allow everything to sync properly again..
Finally, some users want to ensure their data is no longer stored on Microsoft servers. If this is your case, Edge also allows you to do so. Remove the data associated with your synchronization profile from the cloudprovided you follow a series of specific steps and are clear about what will be deleted on each device.
How to open Microsoft Edge and access settings
Before touching anything, the first thing to know is how to access the options we're interested in. Microsoft Edge can be launched in several ways, but one of the most direct in Windows is using the Start menu. This way, you ensure that Open the browser properly and then access the settings page where are the reset tools.
On Windows, click the Start button on the taskbar and type Edge in the search box. Pressing Enter will open the browser directly. Alternatively, locate the Microsoft Edge icon pinned to the taskbar or desktop and double-click it. In either case, once it's open, you'll see a button in the upper-right corner with... three horizontal dots, which is the "Settings and more" menu.
Click on those three dots and a menu with lots of options will appear: recent tabs, favorites, history, extensions, downloadsetc. The entry we're interested in for almost everything we're going to do is Settings. Selecting it will open a new tab with a sidebar on the left, where options like Profiles, Privacy, Appearance, and, what matters to us here, are grouped. the “Reset settings” section.
It's on this internal browser settings screen where we'll find both the tool to restore Edge to its original settings and other options related to data synchronization, cloud management, and clearing history and cache. It's worth familiarizing yourself with this panel because It is the command center for solving most browser problems.
Reset Edge settings to their default values
Within Edge's settings tab, in the left-hand menu, there's a section called Reset settings. This option allows you to return the browser to its initial state. Once there, you'll see, among other things, a very clear function: “Restore settings to their default values”which is exactly what we need to leave Edge practically like it's brand new.
To use it, click “Reset settings” in the sidebar, and then select “Restore settings to their defaults.” You’ll see a short explanation and a button labeled “Reset.” Clicking it will display a confirmation pop-up window from Edge, warning you of the consequences. It’s important to read it carefully, because Changes you've made to your homepage, new tabs, search engine, extensions, and other custom settings will be undone..
If you confirm and click “Reset,” the browser will begin the process automatically. For a few moments, Edge will apply the default settings, disable installed extensions, and delete certain temporary data. At the top of the window, a message usually appears informing you that All settings have been successfully resetFrom that moment on, the browser should behave as if you had just installed it.
Keep in mind that this reset doesn't usually delete your favorites, saved passwords, or browsing history all at once, but it does affect many customizations and extensions. It's a good idea, once the process is complete, Review which extensions you really need and activate only the essential ones.Sometimes a problematic extension is responsible for the failures, and after the reset, it's advisable to test them one by one to detect if any are causing errors again.
After resetting, you can also take the opportunity to change your homepage again, configure your privacy preferences, or adjust details such as the default zoom or the browser's appearance. The idea is that, starting with a clean and stable Edge, you can customize it to your liking. avoiding carrying over errors or corrupted settings that were causing you problems.
Clear browsing history and cache data in Microsoft Edge
Even without completely resetting the browser, clearing the history and cache can resolve many page display issues and improve performance somewhat. Edge automatically saves copies of temporary files, images, and other elements to help pages load faster. When that cache becomes corrupted or too large, can cause loading errors, outdated content or graphical glitches.
If you can open Microsoft Edge without it crashing, the procedure is very simple. Click the three-dot button in the upper right corner and select History. A small pop-up window will open with a list of recently visited sites and some options. At the top of that window, you'll find... three dots that open an additional menu where you will find the option “Clear browsing data”.
Clicking “Clear browsing data” will take you to a new page with several checkboxes and a drop-down menu called Time range. If you want to perform a deep cleanup for persistent issues, it's recommended to select “All time” from this drop-down menu. This option will allow Edge to... Delete your entire browsing history, cookies and other site data, as well as any cached images and files stored from the beginning..
To resolve display issues and free up space, it's essential to check at least "Browsing history" and "Cached images and files." You can also add cookies and other items for an even more thorough deletion, but keep in mind that this will log you out of many web sessions (for example, you'll have to log back in to your favorite sites). Once you've checked the boxes you want, click on Click “Delete now” to start cleaning up all that data from Edge.
The process may take a few seconds or a little longer, depending on the amount of stored information. When it's finished, Edge doesn't always display a very prominent notification, but you'll have already freed up a good portion of the accumulated data. The next time you open the browser or visit certain pages, you'll notice that They are reloaded as if it were the first time, without dragging. corrupt files nor outdated versionsThis cleaning, combined with a settings reset when necessary, is one of the best ways to bring the browser back to life.
Reset Microsoft Edge from Windows settings
There are cases where Edge doesn't even open properly Or it's so damaged that the browser's internal options don't work. For these more extreme situations, Windows offers a system reset option from within the system settings. This alternative is useful when you want Completely repair the Microsoft Edge application without relying on the browser Boot carefully.
To use this method, click the Windows icon in the taskbar and open the Settings gear. Within the Windows Settings panel, go to the Apps section. Under “Apps & features,” you’ll see a list of all your installed programs. Scroll down to find Microsoft Edge or use the search box to locate it more quickly. Once you’ve found it, Click on their name to see the available options.
Among those options, you'll see a link to "Advanced options." Clicking on it will open a new window with various application-specific settings, including repair and reset functions. On this screen, you'll see a button called "Reset." If you click it, Windows will display a message warning you that The application data will be deleted and Edge will be restored to its original settings.You will need to confirm again on the second "Reset" button to start the process.
For a few moments, the system will work in the background to repair and restore Microsoft Edge. When it's finished, a check mark or a small indicator usually appears next to the button, confirming that the reset was successful. From that point on, when you open the browser again, You'll have a clean Edge installation with factory settingsThis usually eliminates serious errors, continuous blockages, or strange behaviors that could not be resolved by other means.
It's worth remembering that this type of reset from Windows affects the application itself, so This may involve the loss of local data associated with Edge.Just like when you use the reset option from the browser itself. Before you start, if possible, export your bookmarks and make sure you've synced anything you want to keep to the cloud, so you can easily retrieve it later.
Back up your favorites before restoring
One of the biggest concerns for users when considering resetting Edge is what happens to their bookmarks. If you've been saving bookmarks for years, it's understandable that you don't want to risk losing them. While standard resets usually preserve bookmarks, it's always a good idea to double-check. Create a backup copy to an external file before touching anything important.especially if you're going to make deep changes or if Edge is giving you serious errors.
To export your favorites, open Microsoft Edge and press Ctrl + Shift + O. This will open the Favorites Manager. In the upper corner of the Favorites panel, you'll also see the three-dot icon. Clicking it will open a menu where you'll find the option “Export favorites” to save them in an HTML file that you can keep safe.
When you select “Export favorites”, Windows will ask you to choose the location where you want to save the file and its name. Edge suggests something like favorites_month_day_year.html by default, for example, favorites_07_05_21.html, but you can change that name to whatever you prefer. The important thing is to remember where you save it, since That file is the one you'll use if you need to restore your bookmarks later. in this or another compatible browser.
After choosing the folder and name, simply click Save and the export will complete in seconds. From that moment on, you'll have a copy of your favorites separate from Edge, which you can also store in the cloud. USB or in any secure location. If something goes wrong during the reset or you decide to switch browsers, those favorites will still be safe. in the exported HTML file.
Later, if you wish to recover those bookmarks, you can import them from Microsoft Edge or other browsers using their bookmark import tools, selecting the HTML file you generated as the source. This preventative measure only takes a couple of minutes and Avoid losing collections of links that are often the result of years of browser use..
Reset Microsoft cloud data synchronization
In addition to what happens on your computer, Microsoft Edge stores some of your information in the Microsoft cloud to enable synchronization across devices. This includes things like bookmarks, passwords, history, compatible extensions, and some settings. If Edge tells you it can't sync your data or shows you continuous errors related to synchronization, it might be a good idea to... perform a specific reset of the synchronized data.
Before we discuss cloud syncing, you've already seen that it's highly recommended to save a copy of your bookmarks in case you need to restore them manually. Although the cloud reset process is usually safe, it never hurts to have a backup. Once you have that backup, go to Edge settings and enter the Profiles section. There you'll find the sync options, which displays the different types of data that can be synced and the current status of the process. From this panel you can initiate a complete resynchronization with the device.
In the sync section, locate the option that allows you to resync data to the device, something similar to “Re-sync data to this device.” Selecting it will initiate a resync process by Edge, which can take anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes, depending on your device. the amount of information you have stored in the Microsoft cloudDuring this time, it is important to keep the browser open so that the process is not interrupted.
If after this resynchronization You keep seeing error messagesEdge itself often displays a link with text such as “Still having sync problems? Try another option.” Clicking this link offers additional steps, including the option to “Reset sync.” This option deletes the cloud-synced data associated with your account and forces them to be resent from the device once everything is clean.
When you enable the sync reset, Edge may take a while to complete, and again, it's essential not to close the browser until it's finished. If all goes well, the sync errors should disappear, and the browser will start uploading and downloading data normally again. In some cases, however, You may need to sign in again on your various devices and review what types of data you want to sync.especially if you had previously made configuration changes.
Completely remove Edge data from the Microsoft cloud
There are users who, for privacy reasons Or, wanting to start completely from scratch, they prefer that their browsing data and Edge settings no longer be stored in the Microsoft cloud. For these situations, in addition to resyncing, the browser allows perform a reset that erases the synchronized data in the accountprovided you follow a slightly more careful procedure.
The first thing to do in these cases is to stop syncing on all devices except one, which will be the one you use to control the process. On that main device, open Edge, go to Settings, then to Profiles, and then to Sync. From that panel, disable syncing for the types of data you want to remove from the cloud: you can uncheck favorites, history, passwords, extensions, etc. This will allow you to... Do not send any new data while performing the reset.
Once you've disabled the items you no longer want to sync, the same sync section will show you the option to resync data with your device and a link to other options in case of problems. There you can select "Reset sync." Doing so will start a process that It will clean up Edge data stored in the cloud associated with your Microsoft account., respecting only what you decide to keep later when you reconfigure the synchronization.
During this procedure, as with resynchronization, it's important to keep your browser open until the reset is complete. Depending on the amount of data you have in the cloud, this can take anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes. Occasionally, you might even see a message indicating that the reset couldn't be completed and to try again later. In that case, It is recommended to wait a few hours and restart the reset process..
When the sync reset completes successfully and you choose not to resume syncing certain items or any items at all, the data that was in the cloud is deleted and information will no longer be exchanged between your devices. If you later change your mind and want to sync again, you'll need to sign in to Edge again on the different devices and Re-enable synchronization for the data types you are interested in, starting from scratch with respect to cloud data.
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