Deleting Internet history on Windows 10 is important to maintain your privacy and to free up disk space on your computer. When you browse the internet, your browser stores data such as website URLs, cached images, cookies, and login information. This data can be accessed by anyone who has access to your computer, leaving you vulnerable to privacy breaches. Clearing your internet history on Windows 10 will remove these traces of your browsing history.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
To delete internet history on Windows 10, you will need a computer with Windows 10 installed and an internet connection. You will also need to use a web browser on your computer, such as Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox.
What Should I Pay Attention to?
1. Clearing your internet history will remove your browsing history, website data, and other data stored by websites on your computer.
2. While clearing your internet history will improve your privacy, it will also remove stored login information, so you will have to re-enter your login details on websites.
3. Be careful not to delete essential files or important browser data that may be required to run some web applications.
4. Some websites may store cookies and other data in the cloud, which means it may not be removed when you clear your internet history. In such cases, you may need to log in and manually delete the data.
Method 1: Delete Internet History on Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge is the default web browser in Windows 10. Here’s how to delete internet history on Microsoft Edge.
Steps:
1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Click the three dots (…) in the top right corner.
3. Select Settings.
4. Under Clear browsing data, click on Choose what to clear.
5. Select the types of data you want to delete, such as browsing history, cookies, and cached images and files.
6. Click on Clear.
Pros:
– Simple and easy to use.
– Able to select the specific types of data to be deleted.
Cons:
– Cannot clear data from specific websites.
– Cannot delete data stored in Windows from other browsers.
Method 2: Delete Internet History on Google Chrome
Google Chrome is a popular web browser used by many people. Here’s how to delete internet history on Google Chrome.
Steps:
1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Click the three dots (…) in the top right corner.
3. Select More tools > Clear browsing data.
4. Select the types of data you want to delete, such as browsing history, cookies, and cached images and files.
5. Choose the time range of the data you want to delete.
6. Click on Clear data.
Pros:
– Simple and easy to use.
– Able to select the specific types of data to be deleted.
– Able to choose the time range of the data to be deleted.
Cons:
– Cannot clear data from specific websites.
– Cannot delete data stored in Windows from other browsers.
Method 3: Delete Internet History on Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla Firefox is another popular web browser. Here’s how to delete internet history on Mozilla Firefox.
Steps:
1. Open Mozilla Firefox.
2. Click the three lines (…) in the top right corner.
3. Select Options.
4. Select Privacy & Security.
5. Under Cookies and Site Data, click on Clear Data.
6. Select the types of data you want to delete, such as browsing history and cookies.
7. Click on Clear.
Pros:
– Simple and easy to use.
– Able to select the specific types of data to be deleted.
– Able to clear data from specific websites.
Cons:
– Cannot delete data stored in Windows from other browsers.
– Limited options for choosing the time range of the data to be deleted.
Why Can’t I Delete Internet History?
1. Some files may be in use: If a file is currently in use by a program, you won’t be able to delete it. To solve this problem, close all programs and try again.
2. Insufficient permissions: If you do not have sufficient permissions to delete files, Windows may prevent you from deleting them. Make sure you have administrator rights and try again.
3. Virus or Malware: Viruses and malware can infect your computer and make it difficult to delete files. Install and run antivirus software to remove viruses and malware.
Suggestions
– Be cautious when deleting files as this may negatively affect the performance of your computer.
– Always have a backup of your important files before deleting anything.
– Use an antivirus software and keep it up-to-date to prevent malware from infecting your computer.
FAQs
Q: How often should I delete my internet history?
A: It is up to you to determine how often you should delete your internet history. If you are concerned about your privacy, you may want to delete your internet history more frequently.
Q: Will deleting my internet history improve my computer’s performance?
A: Deleting your internet history may free up disk space, which can improve your computer’s performance. However, it may not have a significant impact on performance, especially on newer computers.
Q: Will deleting my internet history delete my bookmarks?
A: No, deleting your internet history will not delete your bookmarks. Your bookmarks are stored separately and can be accessed through the bookmarks menu in your web browser.
Q: Can I recover my deleted internet history?
A: No, once you have deleted your internet history, it cannot be recovered.
Q: Does deleting my internet history delete my search history?
A: Yes, deleting your internet history also deletes your search history, unless you have specified otherwise in your web browser’s settings.
Conclusion
Deleting internet history on Windows 10 is an important task that should be done regularly to maintain your privacy and free up disk space on your computer. There are several methods to delete internet history on Windows 10 using different web browsers. It is important to take caution when deleting files and to always have a backup of your important files. Remember to use antivirus software to prevent malware from infecting your computer.