How to Block Porn on Microsoft Edge: 7 Ways

Key takeaways

• Bing SafeSearch filters search results only: a site typed into the address bar still loads.
• Edge policies can lock SafeSearch on: ForceBingSafeSearch and ForceGoogleSafeSearch apply to profiles signed in with a Microsoft account.
• The URLBlocklist policy has a gap: it does not apply to a profile signed in with a Microsoft account.
• Family Safety is built for parents: it filters Edge for a family member and needs an organiser to manage it.
• Extensions are off in InPrivate by default: turn on Allow in InPrivate for each one.

Methods compared

1. Set Bing SafeSearch to Strict

Bing is Edge's default search engine. SafeSearch Strict filters explicit text, images and videos out of Bing results.

1. 1.Go to bing.com and open Settings.
2. 2.Under SafeSearch, select Strict.
3. 3.Select Save.

Limits: it only affects Bing results, it does not block a site typed in directly, and it can be changed back on the same page.

2. Lock SafeSearch on with Edge policies

Edge has two policies that force SafeSearch on so it cannot be changed on the search page. Both apply to a profile signed in with a Microsoft account.

1. 1.Press Windows + R, type regedit and press Enter.
2. 2.Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft and create a key named Edge if it does not exist.
3. 3.In Edge, create a DWORD (32-bit) Value named ForceBingSafeSearch and set it to 2 for strict.
4. 4.Create a DWORD (32-bit) Value named ForceGoogleSafeSearch and set it to 1.
5. 5.Restart Edge and open edge://policy to confirm both are active.

Limits: it filters search results only, other search engines are not covered, and an administrator can delete the values.

3. Block adult sites with the URLBlocklist policy

Edge's URLBlocklist policy stops listed sites from loading in Edge, including InPrivate. Add each site as a numbered string value under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\URLBlocklist. The full steps are in how to block websites on Edge.

Limits: Microsoft states the policy does not apply to a profile signed in with a Microsoft account. It accepts at most 1,000 entries, and every site has to be listed by hand.

4. Use Microsoft Family Safety for a child's account

Family Safety lets a family organiser filter adult sites in Edge for a family member. By default, mature websites are blocked and Bing searches are filtered. Other browsers are blocked while the filter is on.

1. 1.Sign in at family.microsoft.com as the family organiser.
2. 2.Select the family member, then Content filters.
3. 3.Turn on Filter inappropriate websites and searches and add any sites to block.

Limits: the family member must be signed in to Edge with their Microsoft account, and it needs a family group with an organiser to manage it.

5. Use a family DNS filter

A family DNS filter blocks adult sites for every browser on the computer, including Edge in InPrivate. Set one of these on your computer or router:

Then check Edge:

1. 1.Open Settings, then Privacy, search, and services, then Security.
2. 2.Under Use secure DNS to specify how to lookup the network address for websites, keep Use current service provider selected, or choose CleanBrowsing (Family Filter) from the list.

Choosing another provider in that setting sends Edge's lookups past the filter.

Limits: anyone with administrator access can change the DNS back, and a VPN is not filtered.

6. Add a blocking extension

1. 1.Add a porn blocking extension from the Edge Add-ons store.
2. 2.Open edge://extensions and select Details on the extension.
3. 3.Turn on Allow in InPrivate.

Limits: it only works in Edge, and it can be removed from the extensions page in one click.

7. Use a blocker that covers Edge and every other browser

Ascension is a hard-to-bypass Windows application that blocks harmful and distracting content on the web. It is intended for people who struggle with addiction, and it tracks your digital usage automatically to give insights on how one can improve.

1. 1.Install Ascension and add its extension to Edge from the Edge Add-ons store.
2. 2.Load the premade Adult Content categories for domains and keywords.
3. 3.Set the block to Always block, and lock it so it cannot be edited or removed.

Key features

• Block variety: block whole sites, sections of a site, keywords and search terms, always or on a schedule, with daily time limits and entry delays for whole sites.
• Block tampering: a block cannot be edited or deleted.
• Uninstall protection: Ascension cannot be uninstalled while a block is locked.
• Extension tampering: removing or disabling the browser extension does not lift a block, and a browser running without it is closed while a block is active.
• Premade block lists: adult content, gambling and social media lists are ready to block in one step.

Limits: Windows only (iOS and Mac in development).

Which method should you use?

For a child's computer: Family Safety on their Microsoft account, plus a family DNS filter on the router.

For yourself: the SafeSearch policies and a family DNS filter are the best free setup. If you have switched off free tools before, use a blocker that cannot be removed.

Frequently asked questions