Every browser from Chrome, and Firefox to Microsoft Edge regularly collects data regarding users’ browsing behaviour and history. Microsoft’s default browser is Microsoft Edge. The data collection by Microsoft is to refine Edge’s performance and deliver a superior user experience. In this quick guide, I will be showing you how to prevent Microsoft Edge from sending your Search data to Microsoft. Please see Edge GPO settings: All Group Policies available to configure Microsoft Edge Settings, and how to configure a new tab page URL in Microsoft Edge.
But the cause of concern here is that nobody knows the extent or level of the data collection in terms of user privacy. One good feature of Microsoft Edge is that it provides users with privacy controls.
Which enables users to determine the nature and level of data that can be shared with Microsoft. See this YouTube video on how to prevent the sending of search data to Microsoft.
Steps to stop Microsoft Edge from sending your Search data to Microsoft.
1: Open the Microsoft Edge browser and click the three dots at the top right. Then from the drop-down menu click on Settings.
2. In the left sidebar, click the Privacy, search, and Services tab. Scroll down to Search and service improvement and toggle it to OFF.
But according to Microsoft this section is used to ‘Help improve Microsoft products by sending the results from searches on the web.’
3. You can further toggle the Optional diagnostic data to OFF.
But according to Microsoft this section is used to ‘Help improve Microsoft products by sending optional diagnostic data about how you use the browser, websites you visit, and crash reports.’
Here are some interesting article on How to Change the Default Web Browser on Windows 11 and How to Disable Chrome Browser Notifications on Windows. See how to Add or Remove Sites from Favorites on Microsoft Edge. And how Disable Cloud-Based Spell Checker in Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome
4. You can further toggle the Personalization & advertising to OFF.
But according to Microsoft, this section is used to ‘Allow Microsoft to save your browsing activity including history, usage, favorites, web content, and other browsing data to personalize Microsoft Edge and Microsoft services like ads, search, shopping and news.’
After you complete all the above steps and turn off the toggle. Microsoft Edge will no longer send your browser data to Microsoft.
Please see how to configure static page in Microsoft Edge browser via Local Group Policy on Windows, and how to Enable the End Task Option on Windows 11 Taskbar.
FAQs on stopping Edge from sending your Search data to Microsoft
You can navigate to Privacy, search, and Services on your Microsoft Edge. Make sure you toggle to OFF all data-related sections.
Microsoft Edge can track your searches and can save your browsing history. But the settings you configured will prove if your search data will be sent to Microsoft or not. This data helps Microsoft to find and fix problems and improve their products and services for their users.
Yes only when you consent to it in your settings and these data are used to improve their products.
Please see Install Microsoft Edge on Ubuntu: Manage Edge Browser on Linux, and how to forcefully remove Microsoft Edge Browser the hard way from your Windows device.
I hope you found this blog post on How to Prevent Microsoft Edge from sending your Search data to Microsoft Interesting and helpful. In case you have any questions do not hesitate to ask in the comment section.