How to Block Websites on Microsoft Edge: 5 Methods

Key takeaways

• An extension is the fastest method: Edge runs extensions from its own store and from the Chrome Web Store.
• Edge's URLBlocklist policy blocks sites without an extension, but Microsoft says it does not apply to a profile signed in with a Microsoft account.
• The hosts file blocks a site in Edge and every other browser.
• Family Safety filters websites in Edge for family members, and blocks other browsers while filtering is on.

Methods compared

1. Use a blocking extension

Edge runs extensions from the Microsoft Edge Add-ons store and from the Chrome Web Store, so blockers such as BlockSite and LeechBlock NG work in Edge.

1. 1.Open the Edge Add-ons store or the Chrome Web Store and add the extension.
2. 2.Add the sites you want to block in the extension's settings.
3. 3.Open edge://extensions, select Details on the extension, and turn on Allow in InPrivate.

Limits: it only works in Edge, and it can be removed in one click.

2. Use Edge's URLBlocklist policy (no extension)

Edge's URLBlocklist policy stops listed sites from loading. Microsoft's documentation states that from Edge 116 some policies, including this one, do not apply to a profile signed in with a Microsoft account, so it suits a local profile or a work account.

On any Windows edition, using the registry

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, then a key named URLBlocklist inside it.
3. 3.In URLBlocklist, create a String Value named 1 with the site as its value, for example example.com. Add 2, 3 and so on for more sites.
4. 4.Restart Edge and open edge://policy to confirm the list is active.

On Windows Pro, using Group Policy: install Microsoft's Edge policy templates, go to Administrative Templates > Microsoft Edge, and enable Block access to a list of URLs.

Limits: it only affects Edge, it does not apply to a profile signed in with a Microsoft account, and an administrator can delete the values.

3. Edit the Windows hosts file

The hosts file stops a site from loading in Edge and every other browser.

1. 1.Open Notepad as an administrator.
2. 2.Open C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts.
3. 3.Add 0.0.0.0 example.com and 0.0.0.0 www.example.com on separate lines.
4. 4.Save the file, then run ipconfig /flushdns in Command Prompt.

Limits: exact domains only, no schedules, and easy to edit back.

4. Use Microsoft Family Safety

Family Safety web filtering works in Edge for members of a Microsoft family group who are signed in to their Microsoft account. The organiser can filter inappropriate sites and searches and block specific websites. While the filter is on, unsupported browsers are blocked so the filtering cannot be bypassed.

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: it needs a family group and an organiser, it filters in Edge only, and it is built mainly for parents.

5. Use a blocker app that covers every browser

A dedicated blocker applies the same blocks in Edge, InPrivate and other browsers, with schedules and locks. Ascension is a Windows blocker built for this.

1. 1.Install Ascension and add its extension to Edge and your other browsers.
2. 2.Add the sites to block and choose Always block, a Scheduled block, a daily Time limit or an Entry Delay.
3. 3.Add a lock, such as an Until date lock, if you want the block to hold.

Limits: Windows only, with iOS in development.

Frequently asked questions