How to Turn On/Off Ad Blocker in Microsoft Edge? [Step-By-Step]

Online ads can be helpful at times, but they can also slow down your browsing, clutter your screen, and even pose privacy risks. That is why many users prefer using an ad blocker while browsing the web. If you use Microsoft Edge, you have multiple ways to control ads, either by enabling built-in tracking prevention or by using third-party extensions.

In this detailed guide, you will learn exactly how to turn on or off the ad blocker in Microsoft Edge.

How to Turn On or Off Ad Blocker in Microsoft Edge? All the Steps

To turn on or off an ad blocker in Microsoft Edge, open the browser, click the three-dot menu in the top right corner, go to Extensions, and enable or disable your ad blocker extension. You can also manage built-in tracking prevention by going to Settings, then Privacy, search, and services, and adjusting the tracking prevention level.

But before jumping into the steps, it is important to understand that Microsoft Edge does not include a traditional ad blocker by default. Instead, it offers a feature called Tracking Prevention, which blocks trackers and some ads. For full ad blocking, users typically install extensions like AdBlock or similar tools.

So, there are two main ways to control ads in Edge. The first is by adjusting Tracking Prevention settings, and the second is by managing ad blocker extensions.

Now, let’s learn each method step by step!

Step 1: Open Microsoft Edge and Access the Menu

The first step is to launch the Microsoft Edge browser on your Windows computer. You can do this by clicking the Edge icon from your desktop, taskbar, or Start menu.

Once the browser is open, look at the top right corner of the screen. You will see a three-dot menu icon, which is also known as the Settings and More menu. Click on this icon to open a dropdown list of options.

This menu is where you will find all the important controls, including settings, extensions, and privacy features. For beginners, this is the main place to manage browser behavior, including ad-blocking features.

Step 2: Navigate to Settings

After opening the three-dot menu, scroll down and click on the Settings option. This will open a new tab where you can customize different aspects of your browser.

Inside the Settings page, you will see a sidebar on the left side with multiple categories such as Profiles, Privacy, Appearance, and more. For controlling ads, you will mainly work with the Privacy, search, and services section.

Click on this section to access all privacy-related controls, including tracking prevention, which plays a key role in limiting ads and trackers.

Step 3: Turn On or Off Tracking Prevention

In the Privacy, search, and services section, you will find the Tracking Prevention feature near the top of the page.

Tracking Prevention is designed to block harmful trackers and reduce unwanted ads. You will see three levels available:

Basic allows most trackers and shows more ads
Balanced blocks many trackers and offers a good balance between privacy and usability
Strict blocks most trackers and ads, but may break some websites

To turn on ad-blocking features, make sure Tracking Prevention is enabled and select either Balanced or Strict depending on how aggressive you want the blocking to be.

If you want to reduce or turn off ad blocking, you can switch to Basic or disable the feature entirely by toggling it off.

For beginners, Balanced is usually the best option because it blocks many ads without affecting website functionality.

Step 4: Open Extensions to Manage Ad Blockers

If you are using a dedicated ad blocker extension, you will need to manage it separately.

Go back to the three-dot menu in the top right corner. This time, click on Extensions from the dropdown menu. A small panel will appear showing your installed extensions.

Then click on Manage Extensions. This will open a new page where you can see all the extensions currently installed in your browser.

This page is important because it allows you to enable, disable, or remove any ad blocker extension.

Step 5: Turn On an Ad Blocker Extension

On the Manage Extensions page, locate your ad blocker extension. Common names include AdBlock, AdBlock Plus, or similar tools.

Next to the extension, you will see a toggle switch. If the toggle is off, it means the ad blocker is currently disabled.

To turn it on, simply click the toggle so it switches to the on position. Once enabled, the extension will immediately start blocking ads on most websites.

Some extensions may also show an icon near the address bar. You can click this icon to customize settings such as blocking level or allowing ads on specific sites.

Step 6: Turn Off an Ad Blocker Extension

If you want to disable ad blocking, go back to the same Manage Extensions page.

Find your ad blocker extension and click the toggle switch to turn it off. This will stop the extension from blocking ads across all websites.

Disabling the extension is useful when a website is not working properly or when you want to support a site by viewing its ads.

You can always turn the extension back on later using the same steps.

Step 7: Disable Ad Blocker for a Specific Website

Sometimes, you may not want to turn off your ad blocker completely, but only for certain websites.

To do this, open the website where you want to allow ads. Then click on the ad blocker icon near the address bar.

Most ad blockers provide an option like Pause on this site or Allow ads on this site. Click this option to disable ad blocking only for that specific website.

This is especially useful for websites that rely on ads for revenue or when content is blocked due to strict ad filtering.

Step 8: Remove an Ad Blocker Extension Completely

If you no longer need an ad blocker, you can remove it entirely from your browser.

Go to the Manage Extensions page again. Find the extension you want to remove and click the Remove button.

A confirmation prompt will appear. Click Remove again to confirm.

Once removed, the extension will no longer affect your browsing experience.

FAQs

Does Microsoft Edge have a built-in ad blocker?

Microsoft Edge does not include a full ad blocker, but it offers Tracking Prevention, which blocks many trackers and some ads. For complete ad blocking, you need to install an extension.

Which tracking prevention level should I use?

For most users, Balanced is the best choice. It provides good protection without breaking websites. Strict is more aggressive but may cause some sites to malfunction.

Why are ads still showing after enabling an ad blocker?

Some ads may still appear because certain websites use advanced techniques to bypass blockers. Also, if your tracking prevention is set to Basic, fewer ads will be blocked.

Is it safe to use ad blocker extensions?

Yes, most popular ad blocker extensions are safe. However, always download them from the official Edge Add-ons store to avoid malicious software.

Can I use multiple ad blockers at the same time?

It is not recommended to use multiple ad blockers together because they can conflict with each other and slow down your browser.

How do I know if my ad blocker is working?

You can visit a website with many ads. If the ads are reduced or removed, your ad blocker is working correctly.