What is it?
Sometimes it’s a nice feeling to simply start fresh. Some people may wish to delete all their personal information and settings from their computer, and the best way to do this is to reset your browser. A browser (generally shortened from web browser) is a software application for retrieving information on the World Wide Web. The major web browsers are Safari, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Firefox. Although they are primarily intended to use the World Wide Web, they can also be used to access information provided in private networks.
How to
The steps required to reset your browser varies depending on the internet browser you are using. On Google Chrome, start by opening the browser and clicking the Chrome menu button in the upper-right corner of the window. From the drop-down menu, select the Settings option. At the bottom of the page, select “show advanced settings”, and select “Reset browser settings”. A pop-up window will show up to confirm that you want to reset. Firefox is a little different, in terms that is does not remove saved history, browsing history and bookmarks, or windows and tabs. You will have to do those manually. Open the browser and select the Firefox menu button in the upper-right corner. Click on “Troubleshooting Information”, and select “Reset Firefox”. For Safari, start by opening Safari and click on the “Safari” text in the menu bar. Click on “Reset Safari” and choose what you want to remove. Lastly, on Internet Explorer, start by opening the “Reset Internet Explorer Settings” dialog box, and select “Reset”. If you want to remove browsing history, make sure you select the “Delete personal settings” box.
Why do it?
One of the main reasons for resetting your browser is if you plan on selling your computer. You do not want to give out any personal information to anyone, so resetting your browser before you sell your computer ensures the person you are selling to won’t have access to your personal settings, accounts, or passwords. Thus, protecting your personal safety and privacy is one of the main reasons for resetting your internet browser. Some people have owned computers for years, and resetting them can help give you a fresh start, especially if you have multiple computers that you keep your other important information on. This protects you in case your laptop is stolen or misplaced.
Risks
The obvious drawback to resetting your browser is that you lose everything you have saved. While this may not seem like a big deal, it may delete passwords for obscure sites that you forgot you needed.
It may also delete important bank or other financial information. Before you do decide to reset your browser, make sure you know all your passwords and have any other important information written down somewhere so that you can still access it. Certain internet browsers also require multiple steps to completely reset them. Firefox, for example, saves your search history, cookies, and bookmarks. If you do wish to completely erase everything, you will have to delete those separately.
