Microsoft Edge AutoSuggest (a browser feature that predicts search terms and website links in the address bar as you type) sends your keystrokes to Microsoft servers to guess what you want to find. You can turn on or turn off this feature in 3 steps to protect your privacy and stop Edge from tracking your searches.
Disabling AutoSuggest keeps your browsing habits private and prevents the address bar from showing unwanted predictions based on your past web history. You only need the Microsoft Edge browser to complete this quick change.
Open Microsoft Edge, click the three dots, select Settings, then Privacy, search, and services. Navigate to Address bar and search to toggle Search and site suggestions on or off.
What is AutoSuggest?
Microsoft Edge AutoSuggest is a built-in browser feature that displays website addresses and search predictions as you type in the address bar. This function speeds up your browsing by anticipating what you want to type and completing your search phrases automatically, though it also shares your keystrokes with your default search engine to generate those live ideas.
Microsoft Edge AutoSuggest saves users time by automatically completing website names and search phrases. This feature guesses user intent and fills in the rest of the text for them, preventing the need to type complete entries.
Browser privacy settings control data sent to search engines. After changing these settings, the Microsoft Edge browser stops sending typed letters to the search engine or stops using browsing history to suggest search terms. Users can choose to disable either or both of these features.
You can control two main settings:
- Search and site suggestions: When turned off, your typed letters stop going to your search engine for suggestions.
- History and favorites suggestions: When turned off, the browser stops looking at your past activity to suggest websites.
Reference: User data and privacy in Microsoft Edge
Learn more about privacy in Microsoft Edge, including how Microsoft uses your data.
Option 1Change AutoSuggest for Your Account
Microsoft Edge AutoSuggest can be turned on or off for your individual user account through the browser settings menu without affecting other profiles on the same computer. You can control these prediction features by opening the main menu, selecting your privacy settings, and adjusting the address bar options to match your personal browsing preferences.- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Click the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
- Click Privacy, search, and services on the left.
- Click Address bar and search on the right side.
- Change the settings for Search suggestions and filters to match your preference.
Option 2Change AutoSuggest for All Users
Microsoft Edge AutoSuggest can be turned off for every user on a shared computer by applying system-wide rules through Windows Terminal or the Registry Editor. This administrative method overrides any personal choices individual accounts make in their browser menus, ensuring search predictions remain disabled across the entire operating system.
Keep in mind that this overrides any personal settings.
Open Windows Terminal as an administrator. This command console allows for system-wide changes. If you prefer, you can use the Registry Editor, a tool that manages Windows settings.
Turn On AutoSuggest for All Users
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge" /v SearchSuggestEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge" /v LocalProvidersEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
Turn Off AutoSuggest for All Users
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge" /v SearchSuggestEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge" /v LocalProvidersEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
Default (Let Users Choose)
Microsoft Edge AutoSuggest defaults allow individual users to choose their own search prediction settings within the browser menu rather than having restrictions enforced by a system administrator. Restoring this default state removes any global blocks and hands control back to each person sharing the computer.
Turning off Microsoft Edge auto suggestions offers you more privacy. To turn off Edge auto suggestions, open Edge, go to Settings, then Privacy, search, and services, find the Address bar and search section, and toggle off the suggestion switches.
How do I turn off auto suggestion in Edge?
Open Edge and navigate to Settings > Privacy, search, and services. Then, find the Address bar and search section and toggle off the suggestion switches.
Where are my autofill settings?
Click the three-dot menu, select Settings, and click Profiles on the left. You can manage passwords, payment info, and personal info there.
Is Microsoft autofill being discontinued?
The standalone extension was retired, but the autofill feature is still built directly into Microsoft Edge.
How to enable autocomplete in Edge?
Go to Settings, click Privacy, search, and services, and turn on the two toggles under the Address bar and search section.
How do I turn off suggestions in Edge?
Open Microsoft Edge and select the menu icon (three dots) in the top right. Go to Settings Privacy, search, and services. Under Address bar, toggle off "Suggestions" to stop Edge from showing predicted searches and website recommendations as you type.
How do I disable split view?
Open Microsoft Edge and select the menu icon (three dots) in the top right. Go to Settings Appearance Under Layout, find the split screen option and toggle it off. This removes the ability to open two web pages side by side in one window.
What does "disabling" mean?
Disabling means turning off a feature so it no longer works. When you disable something in Windows or an app, you're stopping it from running or functioning. The opposite is enabling, which turns a feature on so it becomes active.
How do I stop the browser from autofilling?
Open Microsoft Edge and select the menu icon (three dots) in the top right. Go to Settings Privacy, search, and services. Scroll to Address bar and toggle off both "Suggestions" and "Search suggestions." You can also uncheck "Show me search and site suggestions" to prevent autofill.
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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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