How to remove cookies

Here's how to prevent new cookies from being installed and how to delete existing cookies. The exact procedure depends on which browser you are using.

Internet Explorer 9.0+

To prevent new cookies from being installed

  • Go to Tools in the menu bar
  • Click on Internet Options
  • Click on the Privacy tab on top
  • Move the slider up to the "Block all Cookies" button

To delete existing cookies

  • Go to Tools in the menu bar
  • Click on Internet Options
  • Click on the General tab which should be under "Browsing History" and click "Delete"

Internet Explorer 8.0+

To prevent new cookies from being installed

  • Go to Tools in the menu bar
  • Click on Internet Options
  • Click on the Privacy tab on top
  • Click on "Sites"
  • A new window should open called "Per Site Privacy Actions"
  • Type in the URL of the site in the "Address of website" box and click on Block

To delete existing cookies

  • Go to Tools in the menu bar
  • Click on 'Internet Options'
  • Click on the Privacy tab on top
  • Click on "Sites"
  • A new window should open called "Per Site Privacy Actions"
  • Under the "Managed websites" box should be a list of all the websites you have visited
  • To remove all cookies click on the "Remove all" button

Internet Explorer 7.0+

To prevent new cookies from being installed

  • Go to Tools in the menu bar
  • Click on Options
  • Click on the Privacy tab on top
  • Click on the Advanced button
  • Select "Prompt" for both "First party cookies" and "Third Party Cookies"

To delete existing cookies

  • Go to Tools in the menu bar
  • Click on Options
  • Click on the General tab on top
  • In the "Browsing History" section, click on "Delete"
  • Click on "Delete Cookies"

Firefox 2.0+, 3.0+, 4.0+

To prevent new cookies from being installed

  • Go to Tools in the menu bar
  • Click on Options
  • Click on the Privacy tab
  • Disable the box that says "Accept Cookies From sites"

To delete existing cookies

  • Go to Tools in the menu bar
  • Click on Options
  • Click on the Privacy tab
  • Click on "Clear Now"
  • Select "Cookies"
  • Click on "Clear Private Data Now"

Google Chrome

To prevent new cookies from being installed

  • Click on the spanner icon in the top right of the browser
  • Click on "Options"
  • Click on "Under the Bonnet" (UK) / "Under the Hood" (US)
  • Click on the "Content settings" button in the Privacy section
  • Ensure that "Allow local data to be set" is selected
  • Select "Block sites from setting any data"

To delete existing cookies

  • Click on the spanner icon in the top right of the browser
  • Click on "Options"
  • Click on "Under the Bonnet" (UK) / "Under the Hood" (US)
  • Click on the "Content settings" button in the Privacy section
  • Click on the "Clear browsing data" button

Safari

To prevent new cookies from being installed and delete existing cookies

  • Go to the Safari menu (icon in top right of browser) and select Preferences
  • In the popup window that appears, select the Security icon (a padlock)
  • Under "Accept Cookies", select the "Never" button

Information by courtesy of All About Cookies

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