Enable or Disable Tracking in Microsoft Edge

This guide explains how to manage website tracking in Microsoft Edge. This feature controls how websites collect data about your online activity.

Microsoft Edge is the default browser in Windows 11 and 12. You can  switch to their preferred or favorite browser at any time. Edge is built on Chromium, just like Google Chrome.

Why do this? Websites use trackers to watch what you click and where you go. Turning on tracking prevention stops these trackers from following you across the web.

What happens when done? You will have more privacy. Some websites might look slightly different or show fewer personalized ads.

Enable/Disable Tracking Prevention in Edge

In the latest version of Edge, this setting is located under the Privacy and security category.

1. Open the Microsoft Edge browser.
2. Click the three dots in the top right corner and choose Settings.

1. Click Privacy and security on the left side menu.

1. Click on Tracking prevention.

1. Toggle the switch to On.

Choose your level of protection:

• Basic: Blocks harmful trackers but allows most others.
• Balanced (Recommended): Blocks harmful trackers and trackers from sites you have not visited.
• Strict: Blocks most trackers across the web. This may cause some sites to break.

Adding Exceptions

If a website does not work correctly, you can allow it to track you. Under the Tracking prevention page, click Exceptions. Select Add a site and type the web address. This site will no longer be blocked by your chosen prevention level.

Enhance Your Security

For better protection, turn on Enhance your security on the web located in the same menu. This adds extra safety layers against malicious code, complementing your Tracking Prevention settings for a stronger privacy posture.

Enable or disable Tracking Prevention in Edge via Registry

Advanced users can use the Windows Registry to set these rules. Note: If you are on a work or school device, these settings may be locked by your IT department and cannot be changed.

First, open the Windows Registry. Remember to back up your registry before making changes, or create a System Restore point as a precaution.

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

Right-click Edge, select New, and choose DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it TrackingPrevention.

Double-click the name and set the value:

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

You may need to restart your computer to apply these changes. To go back to normal, delete the TrackingPrevention entry.

Reference: Microsoft