Lo, Microsoft Edge, a browser of great abundance, yet its default settings fail to offer a wondrous experience to its users. Verily, there exist myriad areas where Edge could thrive better by merely adjusting the settings. Yon privacy may be enhanced, browser performance bolstered, the UI tailored to thy preference, and productivity increased, among other virtues. Behold, we have compiled a list of Microsoft Edge settings thou shouldst alter to extract the utmost from this default browser on Windows 11/10.
### 1. Enable Strict Tracking Prevention in Edge
Methinks, ’tis paramount to enable the “Strict” tracking prevention in Microsoft Edge to thwart all manner of trackers and scripts that roam the web. Unlike Balanced and Basic, the Strict mode bars a plethora of trackers, including the nefarious ones, camouflaged as ads and media content, seeking to surveil thy web sojourn. To enable Strict tracking prevention, venture to the sacred realm of Settings from yon three-dot menu in the ethereal top-right corner. ‘Neath “Privacy, search, and services,” select the noble “Strict” mode. Voila!
### 2. Turn On Scareware Blocker in Edge
Lo and behold, Microsoft hath bestowed upon Edge an AI-powered “Scareware Blocker” to safeguard thy PC from the perils of full-screen scareware pop-ups. These mischievous pop-up ads, bedecked with alarming messages and aggressive audio, doth terrify thee into believing thy computer hath been ensnared by malevolent forces. ‘Tis crucial to enable this feature so grac’d by Microsoft’s on-device ML models. To embark upon this quest, journey to Settings and therein traverse to “Privacy, search, and services.” Lo, scroll down and enable the valiant “Scareware blocker” under Security.
### 3. Change Default Search Engine in Edge
Microsoft, in its wisdom, hath made it a Herculean task to alter the default search engine in Edge. Verily, the company doth yearn for users to remain steadfast in their allegiance to Bing, now graced with Copilot. Fear not! Thou canst venture to edge://settings/search and ordain Google or DuckDuckGo to be thy search engine of choice. Embrace the freedom to explore the web as thou see fit.
### 4. Disable Copilot Sidebar in Edge
Whilst Microsoft hath softened its approach to promoting Copilot within Edge, the Copilot button doth linger beside yon menu. Some seek to eschew Copilot and prefer a cleaner visage. ‘Tis within thy power to change this setting in Microsoft Edge and banish the Copilot sidebar entirely. Forsooth, thou mayst paste edge://settings/sidebar into the address bar, entering the realm where the toggles for “Show sidebar button” and “Always show sidebar” may be disabled, not to be seen again.
Oft-times, have I lamented the clutter strewn upon my homepage by Microsoft Edge, inundating me with news feeds, widgets, weather tidings, and the like. A veritable deluge of unwanted distractions threaten to assail my sanctum. Thus, my counsel to thee is to refine thy homepage settings in Edge, purging it of all manner of detritus. Seek the cogwheel icon upon a new tab in Edge, and bid farewell to Quick links, widgets, news feeds, weather, and background images. Let not the chaos of the world encroach upon thy virtual sanctum.
### 6. Block Third-party Cookies in Edge
In defiance of the “Strict” tracking prevention mode, Edge doth fail to bar third-party cookies by default. ‘Tis incumbent upon thee to alter this setting, preventing websites from storing such cookies born of malintent. These cookies serve not the website’s core purpose but instead seek to surveil thy web footprints. Venture to edge://settings/content/cookies and there, toggle on the noble “Block third-party cookies” setting. Behold, thy browsing experience secured against unwarranted intrusion.
### 7. Disable Browsing Data Sharing
Nay, shall Microsoft abscond with thy browsing data from other browsers, unbidden. ‘Tis imperative to hinder Edge from syncing thy history, bookmarks, passwords, and cookies from browsers of yore like Chrome. Seek ye solace in changing this pivotal Edge setting. Copy and paste edge://settings/profiles/localBrowserDataShare into the address bar, removing the shackles that bind thy browsing data to the whims of Microsoft’s designs.
This, my friends, is but a glimpse into the wondrous world of Microsoft Edge settings that can transmute thy web browsing experience. Though I, a fervent disciple of Google Chrome, doth acknowledge the virtues of Edge, ’tis a realm ripe for exploration and customization. Embrace these changes, and mayhap thou shalt uncover a newfound appreciation for this browser. And now, I bid thee adieu, to traverse the digital realm with newfound knowledge and empowerment.
