How to Enable or Disable Tracking Prevention in Microsoft Edge

Why You Need Tracking Prevention

Tracking prevention halts website tools that collect personal information, including preferences, purchases, and searches. Advertisers frequently purchase this data to target specific campaigns. Microsoft Edge stops much tracking by default, but users can adjust settings for stronger protection. This tracking prevention feature limits information collection, granting greater control over personal data.

What Are Trackers?

Website trackers are small files or code snippets placed on computers to collect information about online activity, including clicked links, time spent on pages, searches, and purchases. These trackers operate in the background without direct observation.

First-party trackers originate from the visited website. They remember details like login information or items stored in shopping carts. Microsoft Edge offers three tracking prevention levels: Basic, Balanced (the default in Edge version 118), and Strict.

Third-party trackers come from outside companies and follow users across many websites. These trackers build detailed profiles of online activities to sell to advertisers. Microsoft Edge’s tracking prevention features block these specific scripts, reducing privacy intrusion.

What Is Tracking Prevention?

Microsoft Edge's tracking prevention feature automatically blocks third-party trackers, preventing companies from following users online and limiting website data collection. This capability remains active by default in Microsoft Edge version 100. Users can adjust tracking prevention intensity if a website experiences functionality problems.

Tracking prevention in Microsoft Edge consults a regularly updated list of known trackers. Browsing sessions trigger Edge to check for these markers and block any discovered items. This action prevents trackers from collecting data or following users to other sites, improving browsing privacy.

The Three Levels of Tracking Prevention in Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge offers three distinct levels of tracking prevention, each delivering a different degree of protection. Users can select the level that matches specific browsing needs.

Basic Tracking Prevention

Basic tracking prevention in Microsoft Edge offers the least protection. Edge blocks trackers exclusively during InPrivate browsing sessions, which serve as the browser's private mode. Minimal protection prevents website issues caused by aggressive blocking while sacrificing privacy during regular browsing. Some trackers may still function during regular browsing sessions despite active tracking prevention in InPrivate windows.

Balanced Tracking Prevention

The Balanced tracking prevention setting in Microsoft Edge acts as a middle ground, blocking known third-party trackers on all websites to protect user privacy. This default setting allows most websites to operate without problems. However, minor glitches can occur, such as comment sections delaying load times or buttons appearing after brief pauses. Balanced tracking prevention offers solid privacy protection without causing major disruptions for over 85% of users.

Strict Tracking Prevention

The Strict tracking prevention setting in Microsoft Edge provides the strongest privacy. This setting blocks all outside trackers and many internal ones, offering users maximum privacy. Video players or shopping carts might break under this maximum protection level. Anyone choosing this strictest option should expect to add manual exceptions when pages fail to load properly. This configuration suits privacy-focused individuals willing to troubleshoot website issues.

How to Change Your Tracking Prevention Level

Changing the tracking prevention level requires only a few clicks. Follow these steps:

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.

Selections save automatically, eliminating any need to restart Edge. The browser immediately begins blocking trackers according to the chosen level.

Making Exceptions: Allow Specific Trackers on Certain Websites

Microsoft Edge's tracking prevention can occasionally cause websites to malfunction. Broken video playback or unresponsive forms usually signal that tracking blocks are too aggressive. Fixing these issues takes a quick exception rule. Creating an exception tells Microsoft Edge to allow trackers for that one specific website, resolving unexpected behavior.

Adding a tracking prevention exception involves these steps:

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.

Disabling tracking prevention for a specific website stops Edge from blocking trackers exclusively on that domain. Tracking prevention remains active everywhere else.

Removing an exception later requires the following procedure:

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 resumes blocking trackers on that website immediately.

Viewing Blocked Trackers: See What Edge Protected You From

Curious about how many trackers Edge has blocked? Reviewing a detailed list illustrates why tracking prevention matters and shows how extensively companies attempt tracking.

Viewing blocked trackers requires these steps:

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.

Microsoft Edge displays blocked trackers on a dedicated webpage, listing tracking company names alongside the number of tracking attempts made by each entity. For instance, the browser might show 5 tracking attempts from Company X on a particular website.

The Microsoft Edge tracker summary shows blocked trackers on a weekly or monthly basis. Users find this summary in Edge privacy settings under the main menu. Reviewing this tracker data helps users understand how effectively Microsoft Edge protects online activity.

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.

The tracking prevention view displays a list of websites and the exact count of trackers Microsoft Edge blocked for each site. This feature helps users understand privacy protection levels on individual websites.

Enable or disable Tracking Prevention in Edge via Registry

Advanced users can modify these tracking rules directly inside the Windows Registry (the central database storing core operating system settings). IT departments might block changes to tracking prevention rules on work or school devices, preventing user modifications to these settings.

First, open the Windows Registry (this is a tool that lets you make changes to core Windows settings). Remember to back up the 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 configure the value:

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

Computers might require a restart for these changes to take effect. Reverting these settings involves deleting the TrackingPrevention entry.

Advanced Settings: Fine-Tune Your Tracking Prevention

Microsoft Edge offers advanced tracking prevention settings for users wanting more control. These settings alter how tracking prevention works for features such as search suggestions and personalized content. Adjustments happen within Edge settings.

Search and Site Suggestions

Microsoft Edge offers search suggestions as users type, using search history to find information faster. Disabling this tracking requires turning off "Improve your web experience by allowing Microsoft to save your browsing activity" within Edge's Privacy settings, which stops Edge from saving search history for suggestions. This action prevents data collection intended for feature enhancement.

Personalized Content and Ads

Microsoft may display personalized ads based on browsing habits. Receiving generic ads instead requires turning off "Personalize your web experience." Additionally, users can manage whether websites access 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. Users preferring not to share this information 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 serves as Edge's private mode. Opening an InPrivate window activates additional privacy features, including stronger tracking prevention. Regular browsing might use the Basic tracking prevention setting, but InPrivate windows benefit from enhanced protection.

Opening an InPrivate window requires these actions:

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

Microsoft Edge's InPrivate mode offers enhanced privacy for user browsing. Opening an InPrivate window displays a blue InPrivate indicator. Browsing activity within this InPrivate window avoids saving to history files. This mode blocks more trackers, and cookies delete automatically upon closing the InPrivate window. InPrivate mode provides maximum privacy, useful for sensitive searches or ensuring browsing remains untracked.

Troubleshooting Websites That Break with Tracking Prevention

Occasionally, tracking prevention interferes with website functionality, causing issues like broken layouts, unresponsive features, or error messages. Addressing these problems starts with troubleshooting.

Determining whether tracking prevention is the cause requires this check:

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.

The status indicator shows whether the browser is actively filtering scripts on that specific domain. If the status shows "Tracking prevention is on for this site," this active tracking prevention feature might cause the observed problem.

Confirmed tracking prevention issues leave several available options:

Option 1Turn Off Tracking Prevention for That Site

Tracking prevention for a specific website turns off by clicking the lock icon and toggling the setting. This action allows the website to function correctly.

Option 2Lower Your Tracking Prevention Level

Microsoft Edge tracking prevention adjusts to improve website compatibility. Users can change protection from Strict to Balanced, or from Balanced to Basic. Lowering tracking prevention improves website operation while offering slightly less privacy protection.

Option 3Clear Browsing Data and Cache

Clearing browser cache can resolve stubborn glitches. Old cached data conflicts with tracking prevention settings, leading to problems. Clearing cache involves these steps:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete 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

Microsoft Edge allows users to create multiple browser profiles. Each profile holds unique settings, such as tracking prevention levels. Users can set up one profile with Basic tracking prevention for problematic websites, while keeping their main profile on Strict tracking prevention for maximum privacy.

Tracking Prevention vs. Other Privacy Tools in Edge

Microsoft Edge's tracking prevention uses built-in features to protect user privacy. This privacy protection is one of several tools available within Edge, version 119 or later, safeguarding online experiences.

Do Not Track (DNT)

The "Do Not Track" privacy feature sends a request to websites asking them to stop tracking user activity. However, many websites disregard the "Do Not Track" request, making it less effective than tracking prevention. Microsoft Edge version 105 provides stronger tracking prevention choices offering better privacy protection than "Do Not Track."

Windows Defender SmartScreen

Microsoft Edge's SmartScreen security feature protects users from dangerous websites. SmartScreen blocks sites known for malware or phishing scams. This security function operates separately from tracking prevention, which focuses entirely on user privacy.

Collections and Saving to Reading List

These privacy features operate locally on the device. Collections store only on local hardware and never reach external servers, avoiding tracking entirely. Diligent data management remains crucial for maintaining long-term privacy.

Common Misconceptions About Tracking Prevention

Several common misconceptions exist about how tracking prevention works. Addressing these misunderstandings clarifies the technology.

Misconception 1: Tracking Prevention Blocks All Ads

Tracking prevention in Microsoft Edge blocks websites from following online activity. Websites stop collecting browsing history for personalized ad targeting. Advertisements still appear, but these ads remain generic rather than reflecting recent searches or views.

Misconception 2: Tracking Prevention Makes You Anonymous

Tracking prevention stops websites from using outside companies to follow online activity. However, tracking prevention does not hide internet visits from Internet Service Providers (ISPs). ISPs can still view all visited websites. Employers also monitor browsing on corporate networks. Tracking prevention increases privacy but fails to guarantee total online anonymity.

Misconception 3: Turning Off Tracking Prevention Makes Sites Faster

Blocking online trackers speeds up web browsing. Trackers consist of small code pieces collecting information about online activity. Removing these trackers reduces website data needed to load pages, making web pages load faster. Consequently, disabling tracking prevention can result in slower browsing speeds.

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

Tracking prevention tools in Microsoft Edge protect user control over personal data. This user control, which involves deciding how personal data is used, remains a fundamental right for everyone.

How Tracking Prevention Affects Website Functionality

Understanding how tracking prevention affects certain website functionalities is important, as some features rely on technologies that tracking prevention blocks.

Social Media Buttons

Tracking prevention in Microsoft Edge may stop social media sharing buttons, such as those for Facebook or Twitter, from working correctly or appearing on websites. This change impacts only the sharing feature; main website content continues functioning normally.

Comment Sections

Tracking prevention in Microsoft Edge can block website comment systems. Strict tracking prevention settings may prevent comment systems like Disqus from loading. This creates a blank space on a webpage where comments should appear. Adding a website exception for the specific page resolves this problem.

Video Players

Some video players incorporate tracking technology. Encountering a broken video player often points to tracking prevention as the culprit. Adding an exception for that website allows the video to play once trackers are permitted.

Login Systems

Tracking prevention in Microsoft Edge might block third-party login tools. Adding a website to the exception list in Microsoft Edge version 98 often fixes login problems. This action tells Edge to allow login tools for that specific site.

E-Commerce Features

Tracking technologies powering features like shopping carts, wishlists, and product recommendations suffer interference from strict tracking prevention settings. For example, active strict tracking prevention renders product recommendations generic, though users can still complete purchases.

Summary

Microsoft Edge's tracking prevention is a key feature for protecting online privacy. Users choose from three levels: Basic, Balanced, and Strict, with Balanced serving as the default for a solid mix of privacy and website compatibility. Encountering website issues allows creating specific exceptions. Reviewing blocked trackers helps understand browser functions. 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.