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Microsoft Edge does not have one universal ad-blocker switch on desktop. If you installed an ad-blocking extension, turn it on or off from Edge’s extension settings. Edge’s own controls are separate: Tracking prevention limits tracking, while Pop-ups and redirects blocks automatically opened windows and tabs.
On Android and iPhone, Edge includes a mobile Block ads setting under Content blockers.
Turn an ad-blocking extension on or off in Edge for Windows or Mac
Use these steps if you installed an ad blocker such as an Edge extension.
- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Select the Extensions puzzle-piece icon next to the address bar. If you cannot see it, select Settings and more (…) first, then select Extensions.
- Select Manage Extensions.
- Find your ad-blocking extension in the list.
- Use the toggle beside it to turn the extension on or off.
You can open the same management page directly by entering edge://extensions in the address bar. This page shows installed extensions and their enable/disable controls.
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Turn off an ad blocker for troubleshooting
If a website will not play a video, sign in, load correctly, or download a file, temporarily disable the ad blocker from Extensions → Manage Extensions. Reload the website and test it again. If the problem disappears, re-enable your extensions one at a time until you identify the extension causing the problem.
Allow the ad blocker only on selected websites
You do not always need to disable an extension everywhere. To limit where it can operate:
- Open Extensions → Manage Extensions.
- Select Details for the ad-blocking extension.
- Under Site access, select On specific sites.
- Enter the websites where the extension should be allowed to work.
Alternatively, choose On click under Site access. The extension will then operate only when you select its toolbar icon.
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What to do if Edge disabled the extension
Edge can automatically disable an extension that tries to modify important browser settings without the required permission. To turn it back on, select Settings and more (…) → Extensions → Manage extension, find the extension, and select its toggle.
If it will not work after you enable it, try these checks:
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- Disable and re-enable the extension.
- Check for an extension update.
- Install any available Edge update from Settings and more (…) → Settings → About Microsoft Edge.
- Open Manage Extensions → Details and check the extension’s compatibility and permissions.
When an extension is managed by your organization
A briefcase icon beside an extension’s enable/disable control in edge://extensions means the extension is managed by your organization. A company, school, or other administrator may have installed it or prevented you from disabling or removing it.
For more information, enter edge://policy in the address bar. Policies such as ExtensionSettings and ExtensionInstallForcelist can control extensions.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchDo not remove these policies on a managed computer without speaking to your IT department. Microsoft documents the following registry commands for removing Edge policies, but warns that registry changes are risky. If you own the computer and understand the consequences, open PowerShell as administrator and run:
reg delete HKCUSOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftEdge /f
reg delete HKLMSOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftEdge /fUse Edge’s built-in tracking controls on desktop
Edge’s Tracking prevention feature is not a general-purpose ad blocker. It controls trackers used to follow activity between websites, while advertisements embedded in webpages may still appear.
Open Settings and more (…) → Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Tracking prevention. Edge offers three levels:
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| Level | What it does | Possible effect |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | Blocks potentially harmful trackers but allows most other trackers, including those used to personalize content and ads. | Usually causes the fewest compatibility problems. |
| Balanced (Recommended) | Blocks potentially harmful trackers and trackers from sites you have not previously visited. | Provides more privacy while generally preserving site functionality. |
| Strict | Blocks potentially harmful trackers and most cross-site trackers. | Some websites may malfunction. Videos may fail to play, or sign-in may not work. |
Turn tracking prevention off for one website
- Open the website in Edge.
- Select View site information beside the address bar.
- Under Tracking prevention, select Off.
To create a permanent exception, open Settings and more (…) → Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Tracking prevention → Exceptions → Add a site. Enter the full URL and select Add. This allows all trackers on that site, including potentially harmful ones.
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The pop-up control is also separate from ad blocking. It prevents websites from automatically opening new windows, tabs, or partial windows. It does not remove advertisements embedded within a normal webpage, and it does not block a pop-up that appears after you select a button or link.
To check the setting, open Settings and more (…) → Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Site permissions → All permissions → Pop-ups and redirects. Turn on Blocked (recommended) to block automatic pop-ups. This setting is enabled by default.
Allow pop-ups on one website
- Go to Settings and more (…) → Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Site permissions → All permissions → Pop-ups and redirects.
- Under Allowed to send pop-ups and use redirects, select Add site.
- Enter the site address beginning with
https://. - Select Add.
If pop-ups continue after you enable blocking, check for an outdated Edge installation, interfering extensions, third-party cookies, cached browser data, or malware. Update Edge from Settings → About Microsoft Edge, temporarily disable extensions, enable Block third-party cookies under Privacy, search, and services → Cookies, clear the cache, and scan the computer for malware.
Turn Edge’s ad blocker on or off on Android and iPhone
Edge mobile includes a separate ad-blocking control powered by Adblock Plus.
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- Open the Edge app.
- Select Menu (…).
- Select Settings.
- Select Content blockers.
- Turn Block ads on or off.
Edge blocks most ads, but some may remain because Adblock Plus classifies them as acceptable ads. To block those too, go to Menu (…) → Settings → Content blockers → Advanced settings, then turn off Allow acceptable ads.
Control pop-ups separately on Android
On Android, pop-up control is separate from the mobile ad blocker. Open Menu (…) → Settings → Site permissions → Pop-ups and redirects, then change the toggle to block or allow pop-ups.
Which Edge setting should you change?
| What you want to control | Use this setting |
|---|---|
| Banner and in-page advertisements | A desktop ad-blocking extension or mobile Block ads. |
| Trackers following you between websites | Tracking prevention. |
| Automatically opened tabs and windows | Pop-ups and redirects. |
| A website that breaks when filtering is enabled | Disable the extension temporarily, restrict its site access, or add a tracking-prevention exception. |
FAQ
Does Microsoft Edge have a built-in ad blocker on desktop?
Current desktop Edge separates these controls. Tracking prevention blocks certain trackers, and Pop-ups and redirects blocks automatically opened windows and tabs. To block ordinary in-page advertisements, Microsoft’s documented method is to use an installed ad-blocking extension and manage it at edge://extensions.
Why are ads still appearing after I blocked pop-ups?
Edge’s pop-up setting does not block ads embedded inside a webpage. It blocks websites from automatically opening new windows, tabs, or partial windows. Use an ad-blocking extension for in-page ads.
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Open Extensions → Manage Extensions and verify that it is enabled. Then try disabling and re-enabling it, checking for extension and Edge updates, and reviewing Details for compatibility and permissions.
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Can I disable an ad blocker for only one website?
Yes, if the extension supports site access controls. Open its Details page, find Site access, and choose On specific sites. You can also choose On click so it operates only when selected.
Why can’t I turn off an Edge extension?
A briefcase icon in edge://extensions indicates that the extension is managed by your organization. Check edge://policy, and contact your school or employer’s IT department if the computer is managed.
Why does Edge mobile still show some ads?
Adblock Plus may classify some advertisements as acceptable ads. In Edge mobile, open Menu → Settings → Content blockers → Advanced settings and turn off Allow acceptable ads.
The Bottom Line
For desktop Edge, use Extensions → Manage Extensions or open edge://extensions to turn an installed ad blocker on or off. Use Tracking prevention for tracker control and Pop-ups and redirects for automatically opened windows; neither is a universal desktop ad-blocking switch. On Android and iPhone, use Menu → Settings → Content blockers → Block ads.
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