Managing browser cookies

Introduction

Cookies

are small text files that web sites put on your computer to store information about you and your preferences. Cookies can enrich your browsing experience by allowing web sites to learn your preferences or allowing you to avoid signing in every time you visit certain web sites. However, some cookies might put your privacy at risk by tracking web sites that you visit. You can delete cookies stored on your computer at any time. You can also change your privacy settings to block web sites from storing cookies on your computer.

Disabling cookies may prevent some web services from working correctly. Disabling cookies does not make you anonymous or prevent web sites from tracking your browsing habits. HTTP requests still include information about where you came from, such as your IP address, browser version, operating system and other information.

The steps to manage cookies vary by browser. Use the resources in the tabs to the left to learn how to manage your cookies.

Internet Explorer

Manage cookies in Internet Explorer 10

  • Open Internet Explorer in the desktop.
  • Click the Tools button, and then click Internet options.
  • Click the Privacy tab, and then, under Settings, move the slider to the top to block all cookies or to the bottom to allow all cookies, and then click OK.

Note: Blocking all cookies might prevent you from accessing many websites. The next two Internet Explorer privacy levels, High and Medium High, might be more suitable. In addition, it is possible to block a cookie for a specific site by clicking Sites on the Privacy tab. For more information, see Internet Explorer Help.

Manage cookies in Internet Explorer 8 & Internet Explorer 9

  • Click the Tools button, and then click Internet options.
  • Click the Privacy tab, and then, under Settings, move the slider to the top to block all cookies or to the bottom to allow all cookies, and then click OK.

Manage cookies in Internet Explorer 7

  • On the Tools menu, select Internet Options.
  • Click the Privacy tab.
  • Click the Advanced button.
  • You can accept the default cookie management based upon your Privacy slider. Click to select the “Override automatic cookie handling” check box to control how cookies are handled. Select Accept, Block, or Prompt, based on cookie type.

Manage cookies in Internet Explorer 6

  • On the Tools menu, select Internet Options.
  • Click the Privacy tab.
  • Use the Privacy settings slider to Block All Cookies or Accept All Cookies.

Other browsers

Learn more about how to manage your cookies in other browsers:

Last Review : June 8, 2012