Microsoft began testing Edge Secure Network in the Canary channel in May 2022. The feature has since been described by Microsoft as a free, limited-data protection option for eligible Edge users: its current published allowance is 5 GB per month for people signed in with a personal Microsoft account. It is not a whole-device VPN, a streaming solution, or a tool for choosing a country.
What Microsoft announced in May 2022
Microsoft’s May 12, 2022 announcement introduced Edge Secure Network as an experiment in the Canary channel. Contemporary reporting said it was appearing in the latest Canary builds for select Insiders. That makes “Edge Canary Adds Free Built-In VPN for Select Insiders” a historical announcement, not a new 2026 launch. Microsoft’s announcement and Petri’s May 13, 2022 report describe the initial rollout.
The Edge Insider team described the intended protection this way: “Secure Network helps you protect your information by masking your device’s IP address, encrypting your data, and routing it through a secure network (powered by Cloudflare) to a server that is geographically co-located so it’s harder for malicious actors to see your true location and what you’re doing,” Microsoft said. This is a description of the feature’s purpose, not evidence that it makes users anonymous or a substitute for an independent security audit.
How much free VPN data does Edge Secure Network provide?
Microsoft’s current feature FAQ says eligible users receive 5 GB of free VPN data protection per month. That is the current published allowance, not the launch-era figure. Microsoft’s current Edge Secure Network page is the source for the 5 GB figure.
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Petri reported 1 GB per month during the initial 2022 rollout. That older allowance should not be confused with Microsoft’s current 5 GB monthly figure. Petri’s 2022 report
Who can use it, and how do you turn it on?
Microsoft’s current instructions require signing in to Edge with a personal Microsoft account. The feature is unavailable on managed devices and in some regions; availability can also vary by device type, market, and browser version. Microsoft’s feature page and Microsoft Support’s setup guidance describe eligibility and access.
- Sign in to Microsoft Edge using a personal Microsoft account.
- Open Settings and more (the three-dot menu), then choose More tools > Secure Network; alternatively, enable Secure Network in Edge Settings.
- Turn Secure Network on. When active, a shield icon appears beside the address bar.
Microsoft notes that Secure Network may disconnect if the internet connection is lost or a proxy is in use. Microsoft Support
What does Edge Secure Network protect—and what does it not do?
Secure Network is an Edge feature, so do not treat it as protection for every app or all traffic on a computer or phone. Microsoft’s current information also excludes named streaming services from the tunnel to conserve the monthly data allowance. Microsoft’s feature FAQ
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It does not let you pick a country
Microsoft says sites see a geographically similar location, rather than a region selected by the user. If you need a particular country or city endpoint, Secure Network does not offer that control. Microsoft’s feature FAQ
It is not a promise of anonymity
IP masking and encrypted routing can help limit what others can see, but the Microsoft description does not establish anonymity, protection for traffic outside Edge, or that the service has passed a third-party audit. Check Microsoft’s current privacy terms and any independent assessments before relying on it for sensitive use.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is Edge Secure Network enough, or do you need a separate VPN?
For occasional browsing in Edge, the built-in feature may be convenient if its monthly cap and eligibility rules fit. Consider a separately selected VPN when you need coverage beyond Edge, more data, routing for streaming, or the ability to choose a location. Compare the specific provider’s privacy terms and independent verification; those details are not established for every service by the Edge feature’s description.
Quick Recap
| Need | Edge Secure Network | Separately selected VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly data | 5 GB per month for eligible users, according to Microsoft’s current page. | Depends on provider; not stated here. |
| Traffic outside Edge | Browser feature; whole-device coverage is not established. | Depends on provider and app configuration; not stated here. |
| Streaming traffic | Microsoft says streaming services are excluded from the tunnel. | Depends on provider; not stated here. |
| Choose a location | No. Microsoft describes a geographically similar location, not a user-selected region. | Depends on provider; not stated here. |
| Account and device eligibility | Personal Microsoft account required; unavailable on managed devices and in some regions. | Depends on provider; not stated here. |
| Privacy terms and independent verification | Review Microsoft’s current terms; the cited feature information does not establish an independent audit. | Check the named provider’s terms and verification; not stated here. |
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