How to Toggle Personalization in Microsoft Edge
Personalization in Microsoft Edge is a built-in feature that tracks your browsing history, web addresses, and site visits to serve targeted ads and news. Microsoft Edge turns on this data collection by default when you click “Got it!” on the initial setup prompt.
You can turn off this feature at any time in the browser settings to stop Microsoft from collecting your web activity. Managing these controls helps you protect your privacy and keeps your browsing data off ad networks.
Open Microsoft Edge, click Settings and more (the three dots) in the top right, then select Settings. Click Privacy, search, and services in the left panel, scroll down, select Personalization & advertising, and toggle the switch on or off to enable or disable personalization.
Turn on or off Personalization & advertising in Edge
Microsoft Edge personalization settings let you control whether Microsoft uses your browsing history to show tailored ads and search results . You can turn this feature on or off from the main settings menu. No admin rights are needed for this method, and it works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro.
If you’d prefer Microsoft not to store your browsing data for web personalization, turn the feature off. If you want your information used for web personalization again, turn it back on. The steps are the same either way, and you can switch back whenever you like.
- Open the Microsoft Edge browser. You can start it from the Start menu or the taskbar .
- Click Setting and more (Alt+F), the 3 horizontal dots button in the top right corner of the window, and select Settings. A menu opens under the button, and the Settings page opens in a new tab.
- On the Settings page, click the
Privacy, search, and servicesbutton in the left panel. The privacy options now appear on the right.
- Scroll down the right side and select the “Personalization & advertising” tile. A page with a single switch opens.
- Use the switch button to toggle the feature
OnorOff. The switch changes position right away, and there is no Save button.
- Close the browser settings tab once you finish. Edge keeps the setting on its own.
That can be a work or school policy, or the registry method below. In that case, change or remove the policy first.
Enable or disable Personalization and advertising in Microsoft Edge via the Registry Editor
Windows Registry Editor lets you change Microsoft Edge personalization settings if you prefer not to use the main browser menu. It is also useful when you manage several PCs or want the setting to stay fixed. It works on Windows 11 Home and Pro, but you need an administrator account. Edit the registry carefully, and consider backing it up first with File Export in Registry Editor.
The switch in Edge settings may then appear greyed out or marked as managed by your organization.
- Press Windows Key + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Click Yes if User Account Control asks for permission. Registry Editor opens.
- Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge. This is the key shown below.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge
- If you don't see the 'Edge' folder (key), right-click its parent key, 'Microsoft', and select 'New' > 'Key'. Name the new subkey 'Edge'.
- In the right pane of the Edge folder (key), right-click an empty area and select 'New' > 'DWORD (32-bit) Value'. Name this new item 'PersonalizationReportingEnabled'.
- Double-click the item you created (PersonalizationReportingEnabled). The Edit DWORD dialog opens. Update its 'Value data':
- To disable personalization & advertising, type 0.
- To enable Personalization & advertising, delete the PersonalizationReportingEnabled item created above. Right-click it, choose Delete, and confirm.
- Click OK and close Registry Editor.
By opting out of sharing this data, Microsoft stops collecting and using your browsing activity for personalization of advertising or experiences from that point forward.
Restart your computer for the changes to take effect. If Edge is open, close all its windows before you check the setting again.
You can also manage data and additional advertising settings via your Microsoft account privacy dashboard. These controls are tied to your account, so they apply on other devices where you sign in.
Device-level advertising settings in Windows can also be controlled.
You're all set!
Reference:
Conclusion:
- In this article, you learned how to manage Personalization & advertising settings in the Microsoft Edge browser, including turning it on or off and hiding its prompts.
- By following the step-by-step guide, you can take control of your browsing data and tailor your web experience according to your preferences.
- Additionally, utilizing the Windows Registry editor provides an alternative method to enable or disable Personalization & advertising.
- You can also manage data and advertising settings through your Microsoft account privacy dashboard and device settings.
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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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