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Disable Edge browsing history collection for ads

Overview​

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Windows.

These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.

This script stops Microsoft from personalizing ads and content using your browsing data across its services, thereby enhancing your privacy.

Microsoft Edge collects and transmits your browsing history, favorites, usage data, and other web activities to Microsoft 1 2 3. This data is used to personalize advertisements and content to your interests 1 2 3 4. This information is shared with other Microsoft services, such as Microsoft Edge, Bing, and News 1 2 3 4. For instance, based on your activity, Microsoft may show you ads for products from stores you frequently visit or news related to topics you often read about 1 3.

By executing this script, you prevent Microsoft from utilizing your browsing data to personalize ads and content 1. This ensures your browsing habits are kept private and not used for advertising purposes.

Authorities like The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) 5 and The Center for Internet Security (CIS) 6 recommend this script for enhanced security. DISA categorizes the absence of this setting as a medium severity security vulnerability 5.

This setting is applicable only to personal Microsoft accounts and does not apply to child or enterprise accounts 2 4. Once applied, the setting cannot be altered by the user, indicating that the browser is being managed 2 4.

This script configures the PersonalizationReportingEnabled 2 3 4 5 6 Edge policy.

Caution
  • This will display the message "Your browser is managed by your organization" on the settings page.
  • This locks settings and prevents them from being changed on the settings page.

This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.

Safe for General Use

This script is recommended for all users. It helps to improve privacy without affecting stability.

Implementation Details

  • Language: batch

  • Required Privileges: Administrator rights

  • Compatibility: Windows only

  • Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script

Explore Categories​

This action belongs to Disable Edge ads category. Overview - This category blocks several types of advertisements in Microsoft Edge, such as promotional suggestions, notifications, and recommendations. Impact - Provides a cleaner, less distracting browsing experience. Enhances privacy by reducing potential tracking mechanisms. Improves system... Read more on category page ▶

Apply now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

  1. Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
  2. Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
  3. Manually by copying: Advanced flexibility.

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy​

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.

Open privacy.sexy

You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using the application.

privacy.sexy instructions
  1. Open or download the desktop application
  2. Search for the script name: Disable Edge browsing history collection for ads.
  3. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download​

Irreversible Changes

This script is irreversible, meaning there is no straightforward method to restore changes once applied. Exercise caution before running, restoring it may not be possible.

  1. Download the script file by clicking on the button below:

    Download script

  2. Run the script file by clicking on it.

Download revert script​

This file restores your system to its original state, before this script is applied.

Download restore script

Alternative 3. Copy​

This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
HELP: Step-by-step guide

  1. Click on Start menu

  2. Type cmd

  3. Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator

  4. Click on Yes to run Command Prompt

Animation showing how to open terminal as administrator on Windows 11

  1. Copy the following code:
Code to apply changes
:: Configure "PersonalizationReportingEnabled" Edge policy
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge!PersonalizationReportingEnabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge' /v 'PersonalizationReportingEnabled' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
  1. Right click on command prompt to paste it.
  2. Press Enter to apply remaining code.

Copy restore code​

Copy and run the following code to restore changes:

Revert code
:: Restore "PersonalizationReportingEnabled" Edge policy
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge!PersonalizationReportingEnabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge' /v 'PersonalizationReportingEnabled' /f 2>$null"

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