Where are Cookies in Windows 11/10/8/7? Where is the location of the Cookies folder? Starting with Windows Vista, things have changed a bit. Type Cookies in Start Menu, and it may take you to the C:\Users\<Username>\Cookies folder. When you try to click on it, in all probability, you will be greeted with an Access Denied box. This path, however, is just a kind of a pointer.
Where are Cookies in Windows 11/10?
Cookies folder location in Windows 11/10/8/7
To see where Microsoft Edge stores its Cookies in Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista, open File Explorer > Organize > Folder Options > Views > Check ‘Do not show hidden files and folders’ and Uncheck ‘Hide protected OS files‘ > Apply > OK.
You will be able to see the two real locations of Windows Cookies folders at the following address in Windows 7:
C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies
C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\Low
In Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, the Cookies are stored in this folder:
C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCookies
In Windows 11 and Windows 10, you may open the Run box, type shell:cookies, and press the Enter key to open the Cookies folder. It is located here:
C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCookies
As mentioned elsewhere on this site, starting with Windows Vista, processes run with integrity levels as defined by the Mandatory Integrity Control feature. Internet Explorer in Protected Mode runs as a ‘Low Privilege’ process. This prevents the Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge from writing to areas of the File System or the Registry that require a higher privilege!
What happens is that Windows creates a set of folders and files for use with Protected Mode Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge. These folders and files share the same Low Privilege level as Microsoft Edge Internet Explorer.
One of these 4 ‘low privilege’ folders, used by IE in Windows, in the course of daily operation, is Cookies, the other being Cache, History & Temp, and it is located at:
%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\Low
With the IE Protected Mode turned On, the browser essentially runs as a low privilege process; as a result of which it can store/read/write cookies in the LOW version of the Cookies folder:
C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\Low
But if you have turned UAC off or Disabled the Protected Mode in IE in Windows, they (like cache, temp & history) will primarily be stored in:
C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies
Read: Configure how Microsoft Edge treats Cookies in Windows 10.
This post will tell you about the types of Internet Cookies, should you be interested. Want to know the Temporary Internet Files Folder location in Windows 11/10/8/7?
Can I delete the cookies folder?
Usually, no, but if you set up the permissions correctly, you will be able to do so. However, it is advised not to do so because if set incorrectly, other programs can access it, and then it can be misused. The best way to remove cookies is using the browser.
Read: Difference between Cache and Cookies
How should you delete the cookies?
The best way to remove them is by using the browser or resetting the application. It ensures that the cookies are safely deleted. These cookies will be automatically created when you browse the website again.
What happens if you don’t accept cookies?
Most websites and apps use cookies for authentication and personalize your experience with the website. Without cookies it will be difficult to authenticate your account, and you will not be able to get recommendations.
Speaking of Computer Cookies, here are a few posts that may interest you:
- Delete even Flash Cookies via Delete Browsing History in Internet Explorer
- Clear Internet Cache & Cookies for particular domain only in IE, quickly
- Expired Cookies Cleaner will help you remove Expired Cookies.
