There’s no shortage of privacy-focused browsers that promise stronger protections, fewer trackers, and a break from big tech. But I didn’t want to ditch Microsoft Edge, because that would mean giving up features like Workspaces, Collections, split-screen, vertical tabs, and the handy sidebar.
So I did the next best thing. I dug through Edge’s settings and looked for every option that affected privacy, tracking, and data sharing. It took a bit of time, but now that I’ve flipped the right switches, Edge feels more private than before.
Use “Strict” tracking prevention
Let Edge say “No” on your behalf
Microsoft Edge comes with built-in tracking prevention, but by default it plays things a little too safe. The Balanced mode blocks some trackers while allowing others, so websites still work as expected. Of course, that’s not good enough.
Switching tracking prevention to Strict is where Edge starts acting like a privacy-focused browser. In this mode, Edge blocks known trackers across sites. That includes trackers used by advertisers, analytic companies, and data blockers that follow you from page to page.
This is the setting that stops ads from following you around the internet like they know you personally. And while Edge warns some parts of sites might not work with stricter tracking prevention, I personally haven’t run into any issues using it.
To turn it on, open Edge Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Tracking prevention and select Strict. Once you do, Edge will become far more aggressive about blocking cross-site tracking.
Prevent Edge from sending diagnostics data
Less reporting, more browsing
By default, Edge collects all kinds of diagnostics data in the background, very similar to how Windows does it. Some of it is basic and necessary to keep the browser running. Crash reports, performance issues, things like that.
But Edge doesn’t stop there. It also collects optional diagnostics data that goes much further. This can include how you use the browser, which features you interact with, the websites you visit, and even details about your favorites.
All of this happens quietly and invisibly while you browse. And over time, those little data points add up to a very detailed picture of how you use the web. They also help Microsoft show personalized ads and relevant news content.
Here’s the thing. None of this collected data really benefits you as a user, so there’s little reason to leave it enabled. Head to Edge Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Privacy. Then, turn off Send optional diagnostic data to improve Microsoft products, Help improve Microsoft products by sending the results from searches on the web, and Allow Microsoft to save your browsing activity.
Stop sending typed queries to search engine provider
Make your address bar private
If there’s one thing that surprised me while digging through Edge’s privacy settings, it’s this. Before I touched this setting, Edge was sending every character I typed into the address bar to my default search engine. Not just when I pressed Enter. Every letter. Every typo. Even those quick math calculations I performed without thinking.
Now, this is a common behavior across browsers, so your default search engine can predict what you’re about to enter and offer suggestions. However, I use my address bar for more than just Google searches. I use it to type full website addresses, jump into local admin panels, and even access my router settings. With this feature enabled, all of that gets shared with my search engine provider.
To stop this, head to Edge Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Search and connected experiences > Address bar and search > Search suggestions and filters and turn off Show search and site suggestions using your typed characters.
Block third-party cookies and review site permissions regularly
Close the doors you forgot you left open
Third-party cookies are not the helpful kind that remember your login or keep items in your cart. They belong to advertisers, trackers, and analytics scripts that follow you around from site to site. The good thing is, Edge offers an easy way to block them. Head to Edge Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Cookies and turn on Block third-party cookies.
Edge, like most browsers, always asks before giving a site access to your location, camera, microphone, notifications, and clipboard. However, there’s always a chance that you might end up saying yes in a hurry and never look back. That’s why I made a habit of revisiting site permissions from time to time.
In Edge Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Site permissions > All sites to see which sites have access to use the microphone, track location, show pop-ups, or even send notifications. If a site doesn’t need access to something, I can simply block access from there.
If you’re anything like me and spend 90% of your time inside a web browser, it makes sense to lock down a few key privacy settings. The good thing is that you only need to change them one time, and you’re not sacrificing convenience or productivity in the process.
