How to Enable or Disable Tracking Prevention in Microsoft Edge

Why You Need Tracking Prevention

Why Tracking Prevention Matters. Your online privacy is incredibly important. Websites use trackers to learn about your preferences, purchases, and searches, often selling this data to advertisers who then follow you across the web with targeted ads. Tracking prevention puts a stop to this by blocking the tools websites use to watch you, limiting the information they can collect and giving you back control. Microsoft Edge handles much of this automatically, but you can fine-tune the protection. So, what exactly are these trackers?

What Are Trackers?

Trackers are small files or code that are put on websites and work in the background while you browse. They collect information about what you do, such as which links you click, how long you stay on a page, what you search for, and what you buy. You don’t see them working.

Some trackers are first-party, meaning they come from the website you’re visiting. These are usually helpful, remembering your login details or keeping items in your shopping cart to improve your experience.

Third-party trackers come from other companies and follow you across many websites. They build a detailed picture of your online habits and sell this information to advertisers. These are the trackers that feel invasive, and tracking prevention specifically targets them.

What Is Tracking Prevention?

Tracking prevention is a built-in feature in Microsoft Edge that automatically blocks third-party trackers. It stops companies from following you online and limits the information websites can collect. This feature is turned on by default, but you can make it stronger or weaker if a website doesn’t work right.

When tracking prevention is active, Microsoft Edge consults a regularly updated list of known trackers. As you visit websites, Edge checks for these trackers and blocks them if found. This prevents trackers from collecting your data or following you to other sites, allowing you to browse more privately.

The Three Levels of Tracking Prevention in Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge offers three distinct levels of tracking prevention, each providing a different degree of protection. You can select the level that best suits your needs.

Basic Tracking Prevention

Basic is the least protective setting. Edge blocks trackers only when you’re browsing in an InPrivate window, which is Edge’s private browsing mode. While tracking prevention is active in InPrivate windows, some trackers can still function during your regular browsing sessions. This level is a good choice if you’re concerned about potential website issues caused by overly aggressive tracking prevention; it prevents these problems but offers less privacy in standard windows.

Balanced Tracking Prevention

Balanced is the middle ground and the default setting. Edge blocks known third-party trackers across all your browsing activities, safeguarding your privacy on every website. Most websites function without issue at this level. However, a few might encounter small issues, such as comment sections not loading immediately or some buttons taking a moment to appear. Balanced provides a good balance of privacy protection without causing significant disruptions.

Strict Tracking Prevention

Strict offers the strongest level of protection, blocking all third-party trackers and many first-party trackers as well. This provides the highest degree of privacy, preventing any tracker from following you. However, strict mode can sometimes break website functionality, potentially impacting video players, shopping carts, or login systems. If you opt for strict mode, be prepared to occasionally create exceptions for websites that don’t function correctly. It’s best suited for users who prioritize privacy above all else and are willing to manage potential website issues.

How to Change Your Tracking Prevention Level

Adjusting your tracking prevention level is a simple process that takes just a few clicks. Here’s how:

1. Open Microsoft Edge on your computer.
2. Click the three-dot menu button in the top right corner of the window.
3. Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
4. Click Privacy, search, and services in the left sidebar.
5. Scroll down to the section labeled Tracking prevention.
6. You will see three options: Basic, Balanced, and Strict.
7. Click the option you prefer.

Your selection is saved automatically, so you don’t need to restart Edge. The browser will immediately begin blocking trackers according to your chosen level.

Making Exceptions: Allow Specific Trackers on Certain Websites

Occasionally, a website might not behave as expected with your current tracking prevention settings. This could manifest as a video failing to play, a form not submitting, or a page not loading properly. When this happens, you can create an exception for that specific website, telling Edge to allow trackers on that particular site.

Here’s how to add a tracking prevention exception:

1. Go to the website that isn’t working properly.
2. Click the lock icon in the address bar. It is on the left side where the website address is shown.
3. Select “Tracking prevention” for this site.
4. Toggle the switch to Off for that website.
5. Refresh the page. The website should now work properly.

When you disable tracking prevention for a website, Edge stops blocking trackers only on that specific site. Tracking prevention remains active everywhere else.

To remove an exception later:

1. Go back to that website.
2. Click the lock icon in the address bar.
3. Click Manage next to “Tracking prevention”.
4. Toggle the switch back to On.

Edge will then resume blocking trackers on that website.

Viewing Blocked Trackers: See What Edge Protected You From

Curious about how many trackers Edge has blocked? You can view a detailed list, which helps illustrate why tracking prevention is important and how extensively companies try to track you.

To see blocked trackers:

1. Click the lock icon in the address bar of any website.
2. Look for the line that says “Trackers blocked on this page”.
3. Click See details.

Edge displays all the trackers it blocked on that specific page, including the names of the tracking companies and the number of tracking attempts they made.

You can also see a summary of all blocked trackers from the past week or month. To access this:

1. Open Edge and click the three-dot menu.
2. Select Settings.
3. Click Privacy, search, and services.
4. Scroll to Tracking prevention.
5. Below the three level options, click Blocked trackers.

This view shows a list of websites and the number of trackers blocked on each.

Enable or disable Tracking Prevention in Edge via Registry

Advanced users have the option to configure these rules using the Windows Registry. Note: If you’re using a work or school device, your IT department might have locked these settings, preventing you from making changes.

First, open the Windows Registry (this is a tool that lets you make changes to core Windows settings). Remember to back up your registry or create a System Restore point before making changes, as a precaution.

Navigate to: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge

Right-click on Edge, select New, and then choose DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name this new value TrackingPrevention.

Double-click the new entry and set the value:

• 1: Basic
• 2: Balanced
• 3: Strict
• 0: Disable

You might need to restart your computer for these changes to take effect. To revert these settings, simply delete the TrackingPrevention entry.

Advanced Settings: Fine-Tune Your Tracking Prevention

For those who desire more granular control, Edge provides advanced tracking prevention settings. These allow you to customize the behavior of tracking prevention for features like search suggestions, personalized content, and more.

Search and Site Suggestions

Edge can offer search suggestions as you type, drawing from your search history to help you find information faster. However, this feature requires tracking some of your searches. Within the Privacy settings, you can disable “Improve your web experience by allowing Microsoft to save your browsing activity” to prevent Edge from saving your search history for suggestions.

Personalized Content and Ads

Microsoft may display personalized ads based on your browsing habits. To receive generic ads instead, you can turn off “Personalize your web experience.” Additionally, you can manage whether websites can access your saved payment information by toggling “Allow sites to check if you have payment methods saved.”

Privacy-Preserving Product Improvements

Microsoft collects certain browsing data to help improve Edge. If you prefer not to share this information, you can disable “Help improve Microsoft products by sending the optional diagnostic data about how you use the browser.”

Understanding InPrivate Browsing and Tracking Prevention

InPrivate browsing is Edge’s private mode. When you open an InPrivate window, Edge activates additional privacy features, including stronger tracking prevention. Even if your regular browsing uses the Basic tracking prevention setting, InPrivate windows benefit from enhanced protection.

To open an InPrivate window:

1. Click the three-dot menu in Edge.
2. Select New InPrivate window.

A new Edge window will appear, marked with a blue InPrivate indicator. Any browsing activity within this window is not saved to your history. Trackers are blocked more aggressively, and cookies are cleared when you close the window. InPrivate mode is ideal for situations where you need maximum privacy, such as for sensitive searches or when you want to ensure your browsing is not tracked.

Troubleshooting Websites That Break with Tracking Prevention

Occasionally, tracking prevention can interfere with website functionality, causing issues like a website not loading correctly, a feature not working, or an error message appearing. Here’s how to address these problems.

First, determine if tracking prevention is indeed the cause:

1. Go to the website that isn’t working.
2. Click the lock icon in the address bar.
3. Look at what it says about tracking prevention.

If the status indicates “Tracking prevention is on for this site,” it suggests this feature might be the source of the problem.

If tracking prevention appears to be causing issues, you have several options:

Option 1Turn Off Tracking Prevention for That Site

This is often the quickest solution. As outlined previously, click the lock icon and toggle tracking prevention off for the specific site. This should allow the website to function correctly.

Option 2Lower Your Tracking Prevention Level

If you find that many websites are not working properly, consider reducing your protection level. You could switch from Strict to Balanced, or from Balanced to Basic. This will improve website compatibility, though it means slightly less privacy protection.

Option 3Clear Browsing Data and Cache

Clearing your browser’s cache can sometimes resolve issues. Old cached data can conflict with tracking prevention settings, leading to problems. To clear your cache:

1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Del on your keyboard.
2. Select the time range. Choose All time to clear everything.
3. Check the boxes for Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
4. Click Clear now.
5. Reload the website.

Option 4Try a Different Browser Profile

Edge allows you to create multiple user profiles, each with its own unique settings. You could set up a separate profile with Basic tracking prevention for websites that frequently cause problems, while maintaining your main profile with Strict tracking prevention for maximum privacy.

Tracking Prevention vs. Other Privacy Tools in Edge

Tracking prevention is one of several privacy-enhancing features available in Edge. It’s not the only tool safeguarding your online experience. Let’s explore some of the other features Edge provides.

Do Not Track (DNT)

Do Not Track is an older privacy feature that sends a signal to websites requesting them not to track your activity. However, many websites disregard this signal, making it less effective than tracking prevention. While you can enable DNT in Edge’s settings, focusing on tracking prevention is generally more impactful.

Windows Defender SmartScreen

SmartScreen acts as a security measure, protecting you from dangerous websites by blocking those known to host malware or phishing attempts. This feature is distinct from tracking prevention; SmartScreen focuses on your security, while tracking prevention is about your privacy.

Collections and Saving to Reading List

These are privacy features that operate locally on your device. Your collections are stored only on your computer and are not sent to servers, so they don’t involve tracking. However, diligent management of your data is crucial for maintaining privacy.

Common Misconceptions About Tracking Prevention

Many people hold misconceptions about how tracking prevention functions. Let’s address some common misunderstandings.

Misconception 1: Tracking Prevention Blocks All Ads

That’s incorrect. Tracking prevention blocks trackers, not advertisements themselves. You will continue to see ads, but they won’t be personalized based on your browsing history. Instead, you might see generic ads. Ads will still be present.

Misconception 2: Tracking Prevention Makes You Anonymous

Not quite. While tracking prevention limits third-party tracking, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) can still see which websites you visit. Similarly, your employer can monitor your browsing activity if you’re using their network. Tracking prevention enhances privacy but does not make you entirely anonymous.

Misconception 3: Turning Off Tracking Prevention Makes Sites Faster

Not necessarily. In many cases, blocking trackers actually speeds up browsing. Trackers can slow down page loading times, and their removal can make websites faster. Disabling tracking prevention might, in fact, lead to slower browsing.

Misconception 4: You Need Tracking Prevention if You Have Nothing to Hide

That’s a common misconception. Privacy isn’t about hiding things; it’s about having control over your personal information. Everyone deserves privacy, and it’s considered a basic right. You never need to justify wanting it, and tracking prevention helps uphold that right.

How Tracking Prevention Affects Website Functionality

It’s important to understand how tracking prevention might affect certain website functionalities, as some features rely on technologies that tracking prevention is designed to block.

Social Media Buttons

Websites often include buttons for sharing content on platforms like Facebook or Twitter. These buttons frequently utilize tracking technology, and tracking prevention might interfere with their operation. You might notice that the buttons don’t appear or don’t function correctly. While the website’s core content will still work, only the sharing feature may be impacted.

Comment Sections

Many websites employ third-party comment systems, such as Disqus. These systems depend on tracking technology, and Strict tracking prevention can prevent comments from loading, resulting in a blank space where they should appear. The solution here is to add an exception for the website.

Video Players

Some video players incorporate tracking technology. If you encounter a video that won’t play, tracking prevention might be the cause. Try adding an exception for that website, and the video should play once trackers are permitted.

Login Systems

Certain websites utilize third-party login systems. If you’re unable to log in, tracking prevention could be blocking the necessary login tools. Adding an exception typically resolves this issue.

E-Commerce Features

Features like shopping carts, wishlists, and product recommendations sometimes employ tracking technology. Strict tracking prevention might affect these functionalities, meaning recommendations may not be personalized, although you can still complete purchases.

Summary

Tracking prevention in Microsoft Edge is a key feature for protecting your online privacy. You can choose from three levels: Basic, Balanced, and Strict, with Balanced serving as the default for a good balance between privacy and website compatibility. If a website encounters issues, you can create a specific exception for it. You can also review the trackers that Edge has blocked to better understand its function. While powerful, tracking prevention doesn’t guarantee complete anonymity and might affect certain website features. For an additional layer of privacy, consider using InPrivate browsing.