Block Ads in Edge on Windows 10: Easy Guide

This guide shows you how to block ads in Microsoft Edge on Windows 10, both the classic Edge (EdgeHTML) and the newer Chromium-based Edge. You’ll learn to use built-in features and add free extensions that stop most ads, pop-ups, and trackers, making pages load faster and look cleaner.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows 10 PC with Microsoft Edge installed (either version).
• An internet connection to download extensions.
• Optional: a free Microsoft account to sync settings across devices (not required).

Step-by-Step

For the New Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based, version 79 and later)

1. Open Microsoft Edge. Click the Edge icon on your taskbar or search for “Edge” in the Start menu.
2. Go to the Extensions page. Click the three-dot menu (⋯) in the top-right corner, then select Extensions from the dropdown. Alternatively, type edge://extensions in the address bar and press Enter.
3. Enable the built-in ad blocker (optional but useful). In the Extensions page, look for “Ad blocker” in the left sidebar. Toggle it on. This blocks most ads on popular sites, but it’s not as thorough as a dedicated extension.
4. Get a dedicated ad blocker extension. On the Extensions page, click Get extensions for Microsoft Edge (or visit the Edge Add-ons store directly at https://microsoftedge.microsoft.com/addons).
5. Search for an ad blocker. In the store, type “ad blocker” in the search bar. Popular choices include AdBlock, Adblock Plus, and uBlock Origin. Choose one (uBlock Origin is widely recommended for its efficiency and low resource use).
6. Install the extension. Click the Get button next to the extension you want. A confirmation pop-up will appear—click Add extension.
7. Confirm installation. You’ll see the extension icon appear in the toolbar (usually top-right). The ad blocker is now active by default.
8. Customize (optional). Click the extension icon to open its panel. You can pause blocking on specific sites, add custom filters, or whitelist sites you trust (like your bank).

For the Legacy Microsoft Edge (EdgeHTML, before Chromium)

1. Open Microsoft Edge. The legacy version has a blue wave icon.
2. Open the Extensions menu. Click the three-dot menu (⋯) in the top-right, then select Extensions.
3. Get extensions. Click Get extensions from the Store (this opens the Microsoft Store).
4. Search and install. Search for “Adblock Plus” or “AdBlock”. Click the extension and then Get. Follow the prompts to install.
5. Enable the extension. After installation, you may need to click Enable on the Extensions page.

Common Mistakes

• Installing multiple ad blockers. Running two or more ad blockers at once can cause conflicts, slow down your browser, and sometimes break websites. Stick to one.
• Not updating the extension. Ad blockers need regular updates to keep up with new ad techniques. Make sure automatic updates are enabled (they are by default).
• Ignoring the built-in ad blocker. The new Edge has a basic ad blocker built in. If you haven’t toggled it on, you’re missing some protection even before adding an extension.
• Whitelisting too many sites. Some sites ask you to disable your ad blocker. If you whitelist every site that asks, you’ll see ads again on those sites. Only whitelist sites you visit often and trust.
• Forgetting to enable the extension after installation. Some extensions are installed but not turned on. Check the Extensions page to ensure the toggle is blue/on.

Tips

• Use a reputable blocker. Stick to well-known extensions like uBlock Origin, Adblock Plus, or AdBlock. They have large communities and regular updates.
• Enable “Strict” blocking for better privacy. In uBlock Origin, you can enable additional filter lists (like privacy and annoyances) to block trackers and cookie banners.
• Use the built-in tracking prevention. In Edge settings, go to Privacy, search, and services and set Tracking prevention to Balanced or Strict. This blocks more trackers, which are often used for targeted ads.
• Clear your cache after installing. Sometimes old ads are cached. Clearing your browsing data (Ctrl+Shift+Del) can help.
• Test on a heavy site. Visit a news site or YouTube to see if ads are blocked. You should see no banner ads, and videos should play without pre-roll ads (in most cases).

Troubleshooting

• Ads still showing.
  • Check that the ad blocker is enabled (icon should be visible in toolbar).
  • Check if the site is whitelisted—click the extension icon and see if the toggle is off for that site.
  • Update the extension. Go to edge://extensions, enable Developer mode (toggle in bottom-left), then click Update.
  • Try a different ad blocker if the first isn’t working well.
• Websites break (buttons not working, layout messed up).
  • The ad blocker might be blocking essential scripts. Click the extension icon and pause blocking on that site (or add it to whitelist).
  • If only one site is broken, try disabling the blocker for that site permanently.
• Extension won’t install.
  • Make sure you’re using the official Edge Add-ons store or the Chrome Web Store (Edge allows Chrome extensions).
  • Restart Edge and try again.
  • Check if your organization or antivirus is blocking extensions—temporarily disable them to test.
• Edge is slow after installing an ad blocker.
  • Some ad blockers are resource-heavy. Try switching to uBlock Origin, which is known for being lightweight.
  • Disable other extensions that might conflict.
• Ads still appear in YouTube videos.
  • YouTube actively fights ad blockers. Try updating the extension, or use a dedicated YouTube ad blocker (like “Adblock for YouTube”). Note that this may violate YouTube’s terms of service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to block ads?

Yes, blocking ads is legal in most countries. It’s your browser and your computer, and you have the right to control what content loads. However, some websites may ask you to disable your ad blocker to access content.

Will blocking ads slow down my browser?

No, in fact, it usually speeds things up because you’re not loading as many files. A well-coded ad blocker like uBlock Origin uses very little CPU and memory.

Can I block ads on specific sites only?

Yes. Most ad blockers allow you to whitelist (disable blocking) or blacklist (enable blocking) specific sites. Click the extension icon and toggle the switch for the current site.

Why do some sites ask me to disable my ad blocker?

Many websites rely on ad revenue to operate. They detect ad blockers and ask you to disable them to view content. You can choose to whitelist the site if you want to support it, or ignore the request.

Does Edge have a built-in ad blocker?

The new Chromium-based Edge has a basic ad blocker that blocks ads on some sites (mainly those that use aggressive ad networks). It’s not as comprehensive as a dedicated extension, so it’s best to use both.

Will ad blocking work on all websites?

No. Some sites use ads that are embedded within the content (like sponsored posts) that are hard to block. Also, some sites use anti-ad-block scripts that can detect and bypass blockers. However, a good ad blocker will handle the vast majority of ads.

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