Are your browsers acting weird in Windows 11? Maybe you’ve noticed unexpected pop-ups, unwanted extensions, sluggish performance, or your homepage suddenly changing without permission. These issues are often caused by corrupted settings, malware, or extensions gone rogue.
The quickest way to get things back to normal is to reset your browser settings.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through step-by-step instructions on how to reset browser settings in Windows 11 for popular browsers like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and others.
Why Reset Browser Settings in Windows 11?
Resetting browser settings helps fix a wide range of issues, such as:
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Browser slowing down or crashing often.
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Homepage or search engine being hijacked by unknown sites.
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Too many unnecessary extensions.
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Constant ads, pop-ups, or redirects.
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Sync issues across devices.
Think of it like hitting the “factory reset” button on your browser — giving it a fresh start without reinstalling.
What Happens When You Reset a Browser?
When you reset your browser:
✅ Default homepage and search engine are restored.
✅ New tab settings return to default.
✅ Extensions and add-ons are disabled (but not deleted).
✅ Temporary data like cookies and site permissions are cleared.
✅ Saved passwords, bookmarks, and history are usually preserved.
⚠️ Important: Each browser handles resets differently, so we’ll cover them one by one.
Before You Reset: Things to Consider
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Backup bookmarks & passwords (in case something goes wrong).
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Sync your browser account (Google, Microsoft, Firefox, etc.) so data is saved online.
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Note down important extensions you may want to reinstall later.
How to Reset Google Chrome in Windows 11
Google Chrome is the most widely used browser, and resetting it is straightforward.
Steps:
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Open Google Chrome.
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Click the three dots (⋮) in the top-right corner → Select Settings.
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On the left, choose Reset settings.
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Click Restore settings to their original defaults.
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Confirm by clicking Reset settings.
🔄 Chrome will now reset to default, keeping bookmarks and passwords safe.
How to Reset Microsoft Edge in Windows 11
Since Windows 11 comes with Microsoft Edge as the default browser, here’s how to reset it.
Steps:
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Open Microsoft Edge.
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Click the three dots (⋮) → Go to Settings.
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Select Reset settings from the left sidebar.
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Choose Restore settings to their default values.
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Confirm by clicking Reset.
✅ Your Edge browser will now be fresh and fast again.
How to Reset Mozilla Firefox in Windows 11
Firefox has a special feature called “Refresh Firefox” which resets settings.
Steps:
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Open Mozilla Firefox.
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Click the three horizontal lines (☰) in the top-right corner.
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Go to Help → More Troubleshooting Information.
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Click Refresh Firefox.
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Confirm your choice.
🔄 Firefox will restart and restore default settings while keeping bookmarks and logins.
How to Reset Opera Browser in Windows 11
Opera has slightly different steps compared to other browsers.
Steps:
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Open Opera.
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Go to Settings (Alt + P).
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Scroll down → Click Advanced.
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Under Reset settings, choose Restore settings to their original defaults.
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Confirm with Reset.
✅ Opera will disable extensions and restore the original setup.
How to Reset Brave Browser in Windows 11
Brave is another Chromium-based browser (like Chrome and Edge).
Steps:
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Open Brave Browser.
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Click the three lines (☰) → Select Settings.
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Go to Reset settings.
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Choose Restore settings to their original defaults.
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Confirm by clicking Reset settings.
🔄 Brave will reset while keeping your bookmarks and saved passwords intact.
Alternative Way: Reset Browsers via Settings
Windows 11 also allows you to reset apps, including browsers, via Settings.
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Press Windows + I to open Settings.
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Go to Apps → Installed apps.
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Find your browser (Chrome, Edge, etc.).
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Click Advanced options.
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Select Reset.
⚠️ Note: This may remove stored data, so back up first.
How to Reset Browser Settings Without Losing Data
If you only want to fix small issues without a full reset:
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Clear cache and cookies (Settings → Privacy → Clear browsing data).
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Disable or remove suspicious extensions.
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Change homepage and search engine manually.
This way, you fix issues without starting from scratch.
Troubleshooting: When Resetting Doesn’t Work
If problems continue after resetting:
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Run a malware scan with Windows Security or a trusted antivirus.
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Uninstall and reinstall the browser completely.
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Try another browser temporarily to check if the issue is system-wide.
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Reset your network settings (Settings → Network & Internet → Advanced network settings → Network reset).
Tips to Keep Browsers Running Smoothly
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Keep your browser updated.
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Install only trusted extensions.
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Regularly clear cache and cookies.
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Enable hardware acceleration for smoother performance.
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Avoid installing too many toolbars or add-ons.
Conclusion
Resetting your browser settings in Windows 11 is one of the easiest ways to fix crashes, remove unwanted changes, and restore performance.
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Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, and Brave all have built-in reset options.
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You can also reset via Windows Settings.
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Resetting usually keeps your bookmarks and passwords safe, while removing problematic settings.
So next time your browser starts acting strange, don’t panic — just give it a quick reset!
FAQs
1. Will resetting my browser delete my bookmarks?
No, most browsers keep bookmarks, passwords, and history after reset.
2. How often should I reset my browser?
Only when you face issues like crashes, pop-ups, or hijacked settings.
3. Can resetting remove viruses or malware?
It can remove malicious extensions and settings, but you should also run an antivirus scan.
4. Do I need to reinstall the browser after resetting?
No, resetting is usually enough. Reinstallation is only needed if problems persist.
5. Is there a shortcut to reset Chrome or Edge quickly?
Yes. In Chrome, type chrome://settings/reset in the address bar. In Edge, type edge://settings/reset.
✅ Key Takeaway: Resetting browsers in Windows 11 is like giving them a fresh coat of paint — fixing problems without losing the things you care about.