What Happens When You Reset Microsoft Edge Chromium?

The Chromium version of Microsoft Edge mostly works flawlessly. It renders sites effortlessly, syncs browsing data seamlessly across devices, and sports support for tons of extensions.

However, like any other web browser, Microsoft Edge Chromium will run into problems eventually. Usually, misconfigured settings, fake extensions, browser hijackers, and unnecessary site data cause such glitches.

That’s why Microsoft Edge Chromium gives you tools to reset the browser. But what exactly does a reset procedure entail? Let’s explore and find out.

What Happens After Resetting?

Resetting Microsoft Edge Chromium returns many browser functions to their defaults. However, the procedure will keep certain configurations intact while preserving important browsing data formats. The following breakdown will help you understand what to expect after a browser reset.

Disables All Extensions

The reset procedure disables all active extensions. This is ideal when dealing with malicious plugins that are normally impossible to remove.

Running the browser with all extensions disabled also allows you to identify and identify if performance-related issues or anomalies are caused by certain add-ons. However, you can also use InPrivate browsing windows (does not run extensions by default) for the same purpose.

Resets Start Pages and Tabs

Initial configurations are reset completely. This means that the browser will no longer automatically open a preconfigured page or set of pages. It helps to undo important changes caused by rogue extensions and browser hijackers.

Also, new tab pages are returned to their default layout. Existing pinned tabs are also pinned and will not appear the next time you start the browser.

Reverts Default Search Engine

Microsoft Edge Chromium allows you to switch the default search engine, which is Bing, to any other search engine of your choice. A browser reset returns the default search engine to Bing.

This once again helps undo the changes in search engine settings caused by sketchy extensions and browser hijackers.

Deletes Cookies and Cache

Resetting the browser deletes all offline cookies and empties the web cache. This should resolve any performance related issues or anomalies caused by outdated site data. However, you will need to log in again on sites you have logged into before.

Just be aware that you can manually delete both cookies and web cache without resetting the browser in the first place.

Protects Passwords and Bookmarks

Resetting Microsoft Edge Chromium does not delete saved passwords, bookmarks, payment information or addresses. Also, the reset procedure does not delete your browsing history.

This makes sense since such browsing data shouldn’t cause any problems in the first place.

Keeps Various Settings Firm

A browser reset will keep all privacy-related settings intact. For example, any changes you make to the integrated Tracking Prevention module will not be reset.

Same goes for site permissions – Notifications, JavaScript, Automatic Downloads etc. In addition to undoing changes to recommended settings, the reset procedure does not remove blocked or manually allowed sites.

Also, changes made to the browser’s appearance (Theme, Zoom, Font Size, etc.) are not reverted to their default settings.

Doesn’t Sign You Out

If you are signed in with a Microsoft Account, the reset procedure does not log you out. The browser will then continue to sync data with your Microsoft Account as normal. Offline profiles are kept as is and are not removed.

How to Perform a Reset

Decided to reset Microsoft Edge Chromium? The entire procedure only requires a short dive into the browser’s Settings panel, and the steps below will guide you through.

Stage 1: Open the Edge menu (click the three-dot icon in the upper-right corner of the window) and then click Settings.

Step 2: Click on the side tab labeled Reset Settings.

Stage 3: Click on ‘Reset Settings to Defaults’ on the right side of the screen.

Step 4: Click Reset in the Reset Settings check box.

This much. Start pages, pinned tabs, and search engine settings have now been reverted to their default values. All active extensions should also be disabled – you can re-enable them individually by clicking Extensions in the Edge menu. Also, the reset procedure deletes both cookies and browser cache.

Fresh Start

Resetting Microsoft Edge Chromium is a relatively simple procedure. However, reviewing the side effects of a browser reset isn’t always ideal, so make sure you do this as a last resort.

For example, you can always choose to clear cookies and cache separately to fix site-specific issues, or you can use InPrivate windows to check if certain issues are caused by extensions.

Also, a reset is not the silver bullet for all the problems you encounter. Sometimes a complete removal and reinstallation of the browser can be guaranteed.

Next: The browser wars are heating up. Should you use Microsoft Edge Chromium or Google Chrome? Read the next link to find the best option.