how to clear certificates in edge

Daniel Parker

3 min read

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06-02-2025

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Microsoft Edge, like other browsers, stores certificates for various purposes, including website authentication and secure connections. Over time, these certificates can become outdated or corrupted, leading to browsing issues. This article will guide you through clearing certificates in Microsoft Edge, both for specific sites and for all certificates. Knowing how to clear these can resolve many connection problems and improve your browsing experience.

Why Clear Certificates in Edge?

Clearing certificates in Edge can resolve several problems:

• Website Connection Errors: Outdated or corrupted certificates can prevent you from accessing certain websites. You might see messages like "Your connection is not private" or similar errors.
• Security Issues: A corrupted certificate might allow malicious actors to intercept your data. Clearing them ensures you’re connecting securely.
• Troubleshooting: Clearing certificates is a common troubleshooting step for various browser issues.
• Privacy Concerns: While not the primary method, clearing certificates can contribute to a more private browsing experience by removing stored authentication data.

How to Clear Certificates in Microsoft Edge: A Step-by-Step Guide

Before you begin, close all Edge windows. This ensures the changes take effect properly.

Method 1: Clearing All Certificates (Advanced Users)

This method removes all certificates from Edge. Only use this if you're experiencing widespread connection problems or are comfortable with potentially needing to re-authenticate with various websites.

1. Open Edge Settings: Click the three horizontal dots in the upper right corner of Edge, then select "Settings."
2. Navigate to Privacy, search, and services: In the left-hand menu, select "Privacy, search, and services."
3. Click on "Cookies and site permissions": Find and click on this option.
4. Manage permissions: Scroll down and find "Manage permissions." Click on it.
5. Find Certificates: Scroll down again to find the section for managing your certificates.
6. Delete all certificates: This may be phrased in slightly different language depending on your Edge version, but the function will be available. Make absolutely sure you want to delete all your certificates before continuing with this step.
7. Restart Edge: After deleting, restart Microsoft Edge for the changes to take effect.

Caution: This will require you to re-enter login credentials for many websites you frequently visit.

Method 2: Clearing Certificates for a Specific Site (Recommended)

This is a more targeted approach and is generally recommended unless you're experiencing widespread connection problems.

Unfortunately, Edge doesn't offer a direct way to delete certificates for individual websites within the settings menu. If you are having a problem with a specific site, the best solution is often to:

1. Clear browsing data: In the same "Privacy, search, and services" menu, you can clear your browsing data. Select the option to clear cookies and site data. This will often resolve issues with specific websites without affecting your overall certificate store.
2. Restart your computer: A simple restart can sometimes clear up temporary glitches.
3. Check the website's security: Ensure the website you're trying to access uses a valid and up-to-date SSL certificate. Look for the padlock icon in the address bar. If it's missing or shows a warning, the problem may lie with the website itself, not your certificates.

If these steps fail to resolve the problem with a specific website, you may need to contact the website's administrator.

Preventing Future Certificate Issues

• Keep Edge updated: Regular updates often include fixes for certificate-related bugs.
• Use a reputable antivirus: Malware can sometimes corrupt certificates.
• Avoid suspicious websites: Be cautious about visiting websites you don't trust.

By following these steps, you can effectively clear certificates in Microsoft Edge and address many common browsing problems. Remember to choose the method that best suits your needs and always back up important data before making significant changes to your browser settings.