Reset Any Browser to Factory Defaults in 2022.
If your web browser has a serious problem that you cannot fix, you can reset it to factory settings. Luckily, most major browsers have a dedicated reset button that makes the process quick and easy.
Read ; Test Your Browser’s Security 2022
Read on to find out what you need to do to reset popular desktop browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Apple Safari to their default settings.
Reset Google Chrome to Factory Defaults
If Google Chrome crashes, freezes, or is unresponsive, or if you suspect a browser hijacker is at work (for example, the search engine changes automatically or you see constant pop-up alerts), consider resetting your browser to factory defaults. Resetting Chrome:
undoes changes to the start page, home page, new tab page, and search engine. Removes all pinned tabs. Disables all active extensions and add-ons. Removes temporary site data (cookies and caches). Revokes all site settings and permissions.
Resetting the Google Chrome browser will not delete your bookmarks, browsing history, and saved passwords. However, we recommend that you upload any personal data to your Google account so that you have a backup in case the procedure does not go according to plan.
1. Open the Chrome menu (select the three dots in the upper right corner of the browser window) and select “Settings”.
2. Select More > Reset & Cleanup (PC) or Factory Reset (Mac) from the Chrome Settings page sidebar.
3. Select Restore Defaults > Reset Settings to restore Chrome to factory defaults.
Reset Mozilla Firefox to Factory Defaults
As with Chrome, resetting Mozilla Firefox will remove all browser settings and cache while keeping personal data such as passwords and bookmarks. Again, it’s best to sync your personal data with your Firefox account so you don’t leave anything to chance.
1. Open the Firefox menu (highlight the three lines in the right corner of the address bar) and select Help.
2. Select More Troubleshooting Information.
3. Select Refresh Firefox.
Reset Microsoft Edge to Factory Defaults
Microsoft Edge, the default Chromium-based browser for Windows 10 and 11, can be reset to factory defaults by going to the settings page. You can save your bookmarks and passwords, but it’s always a good idea to sync your data to your Microsoft account in case something goes wrong. The same applies to the download version of Microsoft Edge for macOS.
1. Open the Edge menu (select the three dots in the upper right corner of the window) and select Settings.
2. Select “Reset Settings” from the Edge settings menu sidebar.
3. Select Reset settings to default.
Reset Apple Safari to Factory Defaults
Safari, the default web browser for Mac, does not have a built-in option that can be used to reset the browser to factory defaults. Instead, you should clear your Safari browsing data, disable active extensions, and revert all settings yourself.
Clear cache and cookies
1. Choose Safari > Clear History from the menu bar.
2. Open the drop-down menu next to “Clear” and select “All history”. Then select Clear History.
Disable all extensions
1. Choose Safari > Preferences from the menu bar.
2. Go to the “Extensions” tab and uncheck the boxes next to all active extensions.
Restore all default settings
1. Close the Safari app.
2. Open Finder and choose Go > Go To Folder from the menu bar.
3. Visit the following folder:
~/Library/Preferences/
4. Drag the following file to the Trash:
com.apple.Safari.plist
5. Then navigate to the following folders and drag all files and subfolders to the Trash:
~/Library/Saved Application State/com.apple.Safari.savedState/~/Library/Safari/
Reset Tor Browser to Factory Defaults
Restoring the extremely privacy-focused Tor Browser to its factory default settings involves following steps similar to Firefox (as shown above). This is because both browsers use the same code.
1. Click the Tor menu button and select Help.
2. Select More Troubleshooting Information.
3. Select Update Tor Browser.
Reset Opera Browser to Factory Defaults
If you’re using Opera, you can reset it just like any other Chromium-based browser for PC or Mac.
1. Open the Opera menu and select Preferences (PC) or Preferences (Mac).
2. Select “More” in the sidebar.
3. Scroll down to the bottom of the page. Then select Restore original defaults.
Reset Browser Settings in Brave to Factory Defaults
Brave Browser is a lightweight alternative to Chromium that can be quickly reset to factory settings by following these steps.
1. Open the Brave menu (select the three lines in the top right corner of the window) and select Preferences.
2. Select More settings > Reset settings from the sidebar.
3. Select Restore original defaults.
A Fresh Start
After restoring your browser to factory default settings, you will have to start over by logging into websites, reactivating extensions, and reconfiguring site preferences and other settings. This should give clues to any underlying causes of previous problems.
For example, a rogue extension could be causing your default search engine page to change. If re-enabling it results in the same issue, you should remove it from your web browser. Or use an anti-malware utility to get rid of it forcibly.
Reset Any Browser to Factory Defaults in 2022
Reset Any Browser to Factory Defaults in 2022