Tighten your browser's tracking protection, one setting at a time.

Edge · Desktop (Windows, Mac)

Set tracking prevention in Microsoft Edge

Choose Balanced or Strict, and add exceptions only for sites that break.

1. 01

   Open Edge settings

   Do this

   Click the three-dot menu at the top right, then Settings.

   You should see

   A Settings tab opens.

   Undo or troubleshoot

   Close the tab; nothing has changed yet.

   I have done this step
2. 02

   Go to Privacy, search and services

   Do this

   Choose Privacy, search and services and find Tracking prevention.

   You should see

   You see Basic, Balanced and Strict.

   Undo or troubleshoot

   If your device is managed by work or school, some settings may be locked; ask your administrator instead of trying to override them.

   I have done this step
3. 03

   Choose Balanced or Strict

   Do this

   Make sure Tracking prevention is on. Balanced suits most people; Strict blocks more but may break some sites.

   You should see

   Your choice is highlighted.

   Undo or troubleshoot

   Select Balanced again to restore the default.

   I have done this step
4. 04

   Test the sites you rely on

   Do this

   Open one site you sign in to, play a short video, and go to a shop's checkout page without paying. Reload each once.

   You should see

   Sign-in, playback and the checkout page work as before.

   Undo or troubleshoot

   If one site breaks, undo only the last change you made, or add an exception for that one site. Do not switch off all protection, and do not clear all cookies by default — that signs you out everywhere. Edge lets you add a site under Exceptions on the same page instead of lowering protection everywhere.

   I have done this step