Reset Web Browsers To Factory Default Settings

Resetting a web browser to its factory default settings is sometimes a last resort when it comes to troubleshooting issues, especially if all other repair options have failed.

The consequences are manifold. All custom settings and preferences will be reset to their default parameters, which means that the browser has to be customized after the resetting again.

Some browsers copy select data over to the new profile after the reset. Firefox for instance copies bookmarks and other static data over so that it remains available.

All popular Internet browsers offer an option to reset the settings. This article describes how to reset the settings of Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Opera and Google Chrome.

How To Reset Mozilla Firefox

Update: Resetting has become a tad easier. You can now load about:support in the address bar to reset the browser from there right away. You can read more about the new Firefox reset feature here.

Firefox users need to start the web browser in Safe Mode. A Safe Mode option is usually available in the start menu listing, at least if the operating system is Windows.

It is also possible to add the safe mode parameter to the launch of the browser. This is done by adding -safe-mode as a parameter.

Windows users can enter firefox -safe-mode in the run box to start the browser in Safe Mode.

Last but not least, you can also hold down Shift before you start Firefox to launch it in Safe Mode.

Firefox needs to be completely closed before it can be started in Safe Mode.

A startup window is displayed if Firefox is started in Safe Mode. One of the available options is to "Reset all user preferences to Firefox defaults". Selecting that option, and then the button Make Changes and Restart, will reset all Firefox settings to their default values.

How To Reset Microsoft Internet Explorer

All available versions of Internet Explorer support a browser reset. Resetting IE will delete all add-ons and customizations, so that all settings are reset to their default values.

Settings that are deleted:

• Disabled toolbars and add-ons
• Websites added to intranet, trusted, or restricted zones
• Websites added for special cookie handling under the Privacy tab
• Websites allowed to use pop-ups under Pop-up Blocker settings

Settings that are reset:

• Home page (for information about backing up your home page tabs, see Back up your home page or home page tabs)
• Search providers, tabbed browsing settings
• Colors, languages, fonts, and accessibility settings (General tab)
• Security settings for all zones (Security tab)
• Advanced tab settings
• Privacy tab settings
• Pop-up blocker, AutoComplete, SmartScreen Filter, and Zoom settings
• Page setup, toolbar, and text size settings
• Feeds settings (sync and notification, not feeds themselves)
• ActiveX controls that are not on the pre-approved list (reset to opt-in state)
• Toolbars, browser helper objects, and browser extensions are disabled

Selecting the option to delete personal settings furthermore deletes:

• Browser history, temporary Internet files, cookies, form data, and stored passwords
• Typed URL information, menu extensions
• InPrivate Filtering data
• Explorer most recently used list

Resetting Internet Explorer will not delete or modify:

• Favorites
• Feeds and Web Slices
• Content Advisor settings
• Pre-approved ActiveX controls
• Temporary Internet file (cache) path settings
• Certificate information
• Internet Programs (e‑mail, instant messenger, and other programs associated with Internet use)
• Internet connection, proxy, and VPN settings
• Default web browser setting
• Toolbars are not restored

Manually resetting Internet Explorer:

To use the Reset Internet Explorer Settings feature from Control Panel, follow these steps:

• Exit all programs, including Internet Explorer (if it is running).
• If you use Windows XP, click Start, and then click Run. Type the following command in the Open box, and then press ENTER:inetcpl.cpl
• If you use Windows Vista or later, click Start, Type the following command in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER: inetcpl.cpl
• The Internet Options dialog box appears.
• Click the Advanced tab.
• Under Reset Internet Explorer settings, click Reset. Then click Reset again.
• When Internet Explorer finishes resetting the settings, click Close in the Reset Internet Explorer Settings dialog box.
• Start Internet Explorer again.

Microsoft has created a Fix-It solution to reset Internet Explorer on all supported operating systems but Windows 7.

How To Reset Opera

Update: The guide below describes how to reset the old version of Opera. It does not seem possible right now to reset the new version of Opera.

A reset of Opera is described in detail here . Both however deal with previous versions of Opera, not the latest versions.

Resetting Opera centers around deleting the opera6.ini or, in newer versions of Opera, the operaprefs.ini file which contains the preferences. Those files are found in the user directory of the operating system. The easiest way to locate them is to enter about:opera in the address bar, and locate the Preferences path in the display.

Opera needs to be closed before the file is deleted. We suggest to create a backup of the file before deleting it.

How To Reset Google Chrome

Google Chrome can be reset from within the browser. Click on the Tools menu icon in the Chrome header, and select options from the menu. Switch to the Under the Bonnet tab and locate the Reset to defaults button. Pressing that button and confirming the reset will reset the following settings in Chrome:

• Home page: The New Tab page is set as the home page and displays whenever you start up Google Chrome. The Home button is turned off on the toolbar.
• Passwords: Google Chrome offers to save your passwords.
• Download location: The default location for new downloads is \Documents and Settings\\My Documents\Downloads
• Security and privacy: All cookies are allowed, Phishing and malware protection is enabled, Smart navigation error suggestions are enabled, DNS pre-fetching is enabled, Address bar suggestions are enabled.

Update: Google has implemented reset functionality in Google Chrome 29.  Load chrome://settings/ in the browser's address bar, click on show advanced settings, and scroll down until you find the reset button in the interface.

Other options that may help resolve a issue with one of the web browser:

A few additional options are available, if reseting the browser does not yield the desired results. One option is to create a new user profile, which always comes with default settings and no initial modifications. Please take a look at How To Create New Web Browser User Profiles for this.

Another possibility are portable browsers, which come with their own settings. Portable versions can be downloaded below:

• http://portableapps.com/apps/internet/google_chrome_portable
• http://portableapps.com/apps/internet/firefox_portable
• http://www.opera-usb.com/operausben.htm

Do you have additional tips on how to reset web browsers? Let us know in the comments.

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