Home Basic
Home Premium
Ultimate
Enterprise
The information in this Help topic applies to Windows Internet Explorer 7 and Windows Internet Explorer 8.
Here are answers to some common questions about cookies.
Websites use cookies to offer a personalized experience to users and to gather information about website use. Many websites also use cookies to store information that provides a consistent experience between sections of the site, such as a shopping cart or customized pages. With a trusted website, cookies can enrich your experience by allowing the site to learn your preferences or allowing you to skip having to sign in every time you go to the website. However, some cookies, such as those saved by banner ads, might put your privacy at risk by tracking sites you visit.
Yes, you can block or allow cookies on all websites or you can choose which websites' cookies are allowed. For more information, see Block or allow cookies.
Not necessarily. Blocking all cookies can help protect your privacy, but it might limit your experience on some websites. Be selective about which websites you allow cookies for. You can start by blocking all cookies, then allow cookies as needed for websites that you trust.
Open Internet Explorer by clicking the Start button , and then clicking Internet Explorer.
Click the Tools button, and then click Internet Options.
On the General tab, under Browsing history, click Delete.
Do one of the following:
In Internet Explorer 7, click Delete Cookies, click Yes, and then click Close.
In Internet Explorer 8, select the Cookies check box, and then click Delete.
Click OK.
Deleting all cookies might cause some webpages to work incorrectly.
Temporary, or session, cookies are removed from your computer after you close Internet Explorer. Websites use them to store temporary information, such as items in your shopping cart.
Persistent, or saved, cookies remain on your computer after you close Internet Explorer. Websites use them to store information, such as your sign-in name and password, so that you don't have to sign in each time you go to a particular site. Persistent cookies can remain on your computer for days, months, or even years.
First-party cookies come from the website that you're viewing and can be either persistent or temporary. Websites might use these cookies to store information that they'll reuse the next time you go to that site.
Third-party cookies come from other websites' advertisements (such as pop-up or banner ads) on the website that you're viewing. Websites might use these cookies to track your web use for marketing purposes.
