How to Turn Enhanced Security On or Off with Microsoft Edge

Choose Your Protection Level: Balanced vs. Strict

Enhanced Security in Microsoft Edge offers adjustable strength levels. Two distinct modes provide improved online protection when Enhanced Security is active.

Balanced Mode (Recommended)

Balanced mode acts as the recommended setting for most users because it adds extra security to unfamiliar websites. Favorite, everyday sites continue working without interruption, offering a reliable mix of safety and usability.

Enhanced security mode in Microsoft Edge offers better protection for new websites while most pages continue working normally. A small shield or "Secure" sign appears near the address bar when this mode actively protects a specific site.

Strict Mode

Strict mode offers the highest level of protection in Microsoft Edge. Enhanced security settings apply to every single website visited, delivering maximum defense against online dangers, though certain sites might stop working correctly.

Strict mode provides the strongest online defense, though it may prevent certain websites from working correctly. Expect broken page elements or missing functions on complex sites because advanced security settings interfere with normal website operations.

Strict mode is not recommended for typical web browsing. Advanced security settings require frequent configuration adjustments or specific website exceptions, creating unnecessary inconvenience. For users preferring a hands-off approach, Microsoft Edge's Balanced mode offers a less intrusive security option.

How to Turn Enhanced Security On or Off

Turning Microsoft Edge's Enhanced Security feature on or off, alongside choosing a preferred mode, happens directly inside browser settings. Follow these steps to adjust security settings for specific browsing needs.

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Click the three dots (...) in the top-right corner. This is the "Settings and more" menu.
3. Choose "Settings" from the list.
4. On the left side, click "Privacy, search, and services."
5. Scroll down to the "Security" section.
6. Find "Enhance your security on the web." Make sure the switch next to it is "On."
7. Below that, you can choose your mode. Click the dropdown menu and pick "Balanced" or "Strict."

Enhanced Security allows adding specific websites to an exception list. Important websites function correctly while Enhanced Security remains active for the majority of internet browsing.

Making Exceptions: When a Site Needs Special Treatment

Microsoft Edge's Enhanced Security feature permits creating exception lists. Specific websites receive permanent extra protection or complete exemption from Enhanced Security, providing fine-tuned control over browsing safety.

Microsoft Edge accepts instructions to *always* use enhanced security for a specific site, or to *never* use it for that site.

How to Add a Site to an Exception List:

1. Follow steps 1-5 from the section above to get to the "Security" settings page.
2. Make sure "Enhance your security on the web" is "On."
3. Below where you choose the mode, click on "Site preferences for enhanced security."
4. You will see two lists: "Never use enhanced security for these sites" and "Always use enhanced security for these sites."
5. To add a site to a list, click the "Add site" button next to the list you want.
6. Type the full website address (URL) in the box. For example: https://www.example.com
7. Click "Add."

Adding a site to an exception list starts on the "Security" settings page in Microsoft Edge. Confirm that "Enhance your security on the web" is turned on, then click "Site preferences for enhanced security" to manage exception lists.

Editing or Removing Sites from Exception Lists:

Websites inside Microsoft Edge Enhanced Security exception lists undergo editing or removal at any time. Return to the "Site preferences for enhanced security" page in Edge's settings and locate the website.

1. Go back to the "Site preferences for enhanced security" page in Edge's settings.
2. Find the website you want to manage in either the "Never use" or "Always use" list.
3. Next to the website's address, click the "More actions" icon (it usually looks like three dots).
4. You will see options to "Edit" the address or "Remove" the site from the list.

Microsoft Edge's enhanced security feature allows turning off protection for specific websites. Clicking the "Added security" icon in the address bar disables security for a particular site, adding the website's address to an exclusion list as a quick fix for immediate website issues present in Microsoft Edge version 98.

Reference:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/edge/enhance-your-security-on-the-web-with-microsoft-edge

Summary

Microsoft Edge's Enhanced Security feature provides better online protection through settings like Balanced mode for most sites and Strict mode for maximum defense, alongside exception management options.