I have to re-sign into my browsers every time Microsoft Edge closes. How do I prevent that?

Check edge://policy first: if ClearBrowsingDataOnExit is enabled, disable that specific policy rather than deleting an entire Edge registry key.

A greyed-out Clear browsing data on close control generally indicates that an Edge policy is controlling it. When ClearBrowsingDataOnExit is enabled, Edge deletes browsing data whenever it closes and overrides the user-configurable setting; the policy is not enabled by default.^1^

1. Identify the controlling policy

1. Enter edge://policy in Edge’s address bar.
2. Look for:
   • ClearBrowsingDataOnExit
   • SaveCookiesOnExit
   • DefaultCookiesSetting
   • CookiesBlockedForUrls
   • CookiesSessionOnlyForUrls
3. Note the value and source shown for ClearBrowsingDataOnExit.

If this is a work- or school-managed computer, do not change its registry policy. Contact the administrator and request that ClearBrowsingDataOnExit be disabled or that the required websites be added to SaveCookiesOnExit.^2^

2. If this is your personally managed PC

Do not delete the complete Microsoft\Edge policy key. Change only the named ClearBrowsingDataOnExit policy.

Group Policy method, when available

1. Press Windows+R, enter gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
2. Check both locations:
   • Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Microsoft Edge
   • User Configuration → Administrative Templates → Microsoft Edge
3. Open Clear browsing data when Microsoft Edge closes.
4. Set it to Disabled or Not configured.
5. Also check Microsoft Edge – Default Settings (users can override) for the same policy.
6. Close every Edge window and reopen Edge. This policy requires a browser restart.^1^

Registry method, only if Group Policy Editor is unavailable

Editing the wrong registry entry can affect Edge configuration, so export the key before changing anything.

The current Edge policy can exist at either:

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge

A recommended policy can instead be under the Recommended subkey. The specific value is a REG_DWORD named ClearBrowsingDataOnExit; a value of 1 enables deletion on exit.^1^

For each location where that value exists:

1. Right-click the containing Edge key and select Export to create a backup.
2. Delete only the ClearBrowsingDataOnExit value—not the Edge key or other policy values.
3. Close all Edge windows and reopen Edge.
4. Return to edge://policy and select Reload policies. Confirm that ClearBrowsingDataOnExit is no longer enabled.

If the value returns, another management tool or security application is reapplying it; change it there instead of repeatedly editing the registry.

3. Turn off cookie deletion in Edge

Once the setting is no longer greyed out:

1. Open edge://settings/privacy/clearBrowsingData/clearOnClose.
2. Turn off Cookies and other site data.
3. Open edge://settings/content/cookies.
4. Turn on Allow sites to save and read cookie data.
5. Remove Yahoo, Gmail, Facebook, or their sign-in domains from the Block and Clear on close lists.
6. Sign in to one site, close every Edge window, reopen Edge, and test.

Deleting cookies on exit signs users out of most sites.^3^

If the policy is required

An administrator can configure SaveCookiesOnExit with URL patterns for selected sites. That policy preserves specified cookies even when clear-on-exit is enabled, and it requires restarting Edge.^4^

If no clearing policy is enabled and sign-ins still disappear, proceed with Microsoft’s remaining sequence: synchronize Windows time, disable cookie/privacy extensions temporarily, and test a new Edge profile.^2^

References

1. ClearBrowsingDataOnExit
2. Fix Microsoft Edge not saving cookies or sign-in sessions across startups
3. Manage cookies in Microsoft Edge: View, allow, block, delete and use | Microsoft Support
4. SaveCookiesOnExit