How to Clean Up Cookies on a Computer
Clearing your computer’s cookies in Microsoft Internet Explorer is easy. Clearing your permanently filed cookies will make your computer run a little bit faster, and eliminate the link between you and the websites you frequent. Cookies are small files that websites store on your computer to remember your account information, login, password and who you are. If you want to eliminate another party tracking your preferences, read on to learn how to clean up cookies on a computer.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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1
Turn on your computer and allow it to boot up. Open a Microsoft Internet Explorer web browser. It doesn’t matter what web page first loads.
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2
Locate the "Tools" tab or icon on the top right hand corner of your screen. Click on the tab or icon, so a drop-down menu appears. Browse the list and find "Internet Options." Use your mouse to left click on "Internet Options."
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Notice a new box open on your screen. The bar across the top of this new box should say "Internet Options." Below this bar will be several tabs. Use your mouse to left click on the "General" tab. Scan the box and locate the section titled "Browsing History."
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Read the description under browsing history to be sure it includes the option to delete temporary files, browsing history, cookies, saved passwords and web form information. Under the description, you will see two boxes, "Delete" and "Settings."
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Click on the "Delete" button. A new bow will appear on your screen. The bar across the top of the box will be labeled "Delete Browsing History." Notice the options in this box include the ability to delete temporary Internet files, cookies, history, form data and passwords.
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Select the button that says "Delete Cookies" if you wish to only delete the cookies data files. If you would like to get rid of the history list of websites you have visited, all your logins, passwords and form data, select the "Delete All" button at the bottom of the box.
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Selecting either "Delete Cookies" or "Delete All" will make another box appear on your screen. You will see a confirmation message asking if you’re sure you’d like to complete this action. Select "Yes" or "No." Selecting "Yes" will allow your computer to delete the cookies.
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Deleting these temporary internet files only takes a minute or two. If you haven't deleted the cookies in awhile a task bar may appear to show you're the progress of the delete. When the computer is finished, simply close out all the extra boxes that popped up.
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Tips & Warnings
Be sure to have all your website login and password information written down or saved in a file. When you clear your cookies, all the “remembered” information in text boxes on the internet will be cleared. This includes website login and password information.
