Browsing Data Lifetime Settings
Verified with Microsoft Edge 152.0.4191.53 — updated on July 12, 2026
Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 89, Windows 7 or later
Path in the GPO console
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Microsoft Edge User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Microsoft Edge Description
This policy controls how long specific types of browsing data are retained. If Sync is enabled, this policy has no effect. You can specify the following data types: 'browsing_history' 'download_history' 'cookies_and_other_site_data' 'cached_images_and_files' 'password_signin' 'autofill' 'site_settings' 'hosted_app_data' Microsoft Edge periodically deletes data of the selected types that's older than the value set by 'time_to_live_in_hours'. Expired data is removed 15 seconds after browser startup and every hour while the browser is running. Note: Deleting cookies using this policy doesn't sign the user out of their profile, the user stays signed in. Example value: [ { "data_types": [ "browsing_history" ], "time_to_live_in_hours": 24 }, { "data_types": [ "password_signin", "autofill" ], "time_to_live_in_hours": 12 } ]
Registry
Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge Export Builder
BETAConfigure the state, scope and options, then generate .reg, PowerShell, Intune and SCCM outputs — or add the setting to a multi-setting collection.
These exports write the registry — this is not a managed GPO. ⓘ
Applying both scopes creates an ambiguous configuration (computer takes precedence over user). Only do this intentionally.
.reg file
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Browsing Data Lifetime Settings
; State: Enabled
; Scope: Computer (HKLM)
; Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 89, Windows 7 or later
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge]
"BrowsingDataLifetime"=""More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)
PowerShell
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Browsing Data Lifetime Settings
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 89, Windows 7 or later
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'BrowsingDataLifetime' -Value '' -Type StringIntune XML
No direct Policy CSP / OMA-URI mapping for this policy. Use the Intune Remediation tab, or ingest the ADMX in Intune.Intune Remediation
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Browsing Data Lifetime Settings
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 89, Windows 7 or later
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge' -Name 'BrowsingDataLifetime' -Expected '' -Kind String)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Browsing Data Lifetime Settings
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 89, Windows 7 or later
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'BrowsingDataLifetime' -Value '' -Type StringSCCM scripts
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Browsing Data Lifetime Settings
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 89, Windows 7 or later
# SCCM Configuration Item guidance:
# Create a Configuration Item of type "Setting: Script".
# Discovery script: use the Detection script below.
# Remediation script: use the Remediation script below.
# Compliance rule: the Discovery script output equals 'Compliant'.
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Browsing Data Lifetime Settings
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 89, Windows 7 or later
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge' -Name 'BrowsingDataLifetime' -Expected '' -Kind String)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Browsing Data Lifetime Settings
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 89, Windows 7 or later
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'BrowsingDataLifetime' -Value '' -Type StringBuilding a multi-setting collection? Add this setting and generate combined .reg / PowerShell / GPO scripts.