How to Block Third-Party Cookies in Microsoft Edge
Blocking third-party cookies in Microsoft Edge stops external tracking files from following you across different websites. Third-party cookies are small data files placed on your computer by advertisers and outside domains rather than the actual site you visit.
Microsoft Edge includes a built-in privacy setting that blocks these tracking files by default or on demand in Windows 11. Turning off third-party cookies keeps advertisers from building a detailed profile of your browsing habits, though a few websites may require exceptions if login screens or shopping carts stop working correctly.
Open Microsoft Edge, click the three dots, select Settings, then Privacy, search, and services. Under Tracking prevention, choose Balanced or Strict to block most third-party cookies.
Allow or block third-party cookies in Edge
You can block third-party cookies Edge users encounter by changing the tracking prevention settings inside the browser. Open Microsoft Edge, go to Settings , select Privacy, search, and services, and choose your preferred tracking level to stop websites from following your browsing activity across different pages.
On the left menu, select Privacy, search, and services. Look for the Tracking prevention section.
Here are the three modes you can choose from:
- Basic: Blocks known harmful trackers but allows most cookies.
- Balanced: The default setting. It blocks trackers from sites you have not visited.
- Strict: Blocks most trackers across all sites. This provides the most privacy but is the most likely to break website features.
Click on Allow and add the specific URL of the website you want to exempt from your blocking rules.
Allow or block third-party cookies in Edge via Registry
Registry tweaks let you block third-party cookies Edge relies on across multiple user accounts on a computer. Open the Registry Editor and navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge to create a policy that enforces cookie blocking automatically.
Open the Registry Editor. Navigate to the specific path `HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge` to find the relevant settings. Modifying these settings allows for finer control over cookie behavior.
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge
Right-click the Edge folder, then select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name this new entry `BlockThirdPartyCookies`. Set its value to `1` to block cookies, or `0` to allow them.
A computer restart may be needed to see the changes. Check the official documentation for more details: Microsoft.
Choose the setting that balances your need for privacy with a smooth browsing experience.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
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