How to Enable or Disable Send Do Not Track Requests in Microsoft Edge in Windows 10

With all the privacy concerns and looming threats of data breaches, some people prefer to restrict the sharing of their information over the Internet. There are many ways to do this, and one of them is for users to ask web browsers like Microsoft Edge to stop tracking their browsing behaviors using the Send Do Not Track Request feature. In this article, we’ll discuss this essential privacy tool and how to configure this Microsoft Edge feature.

What is “Do Not Track”?

“Do Not Track” is a browser setting that requests websites not to track users’ browsing activity for purposes like analytics, advertising, and personalization. Microsoft Edge offers this feature for its users, allowing them to opt in or out of communicating their tracking preferences to the websites they visit.

Users often activate the “Do Not Track” feature to express a stronger stance on privacy and limit tracking by websites and third-party services. However, some instances require disabling this feature since some websites may not function optimally when this request is enabled.

Requirements for Do Not Track setting

Before you’re able to configure the Do Not Track setting, your Microsoft Edge should first meet the following requirements:

• Microsoft Edge (Legacy or Chromium-based) installed
• Have the Windows 10 operating system
• Administrator rights if you’re enforcing the setting through Group Policy or Registry (optional)
• No admin rights required to change the setting via browser UI

Enabling or disabling Send Do Not Track Requests in Microsoft Edge

Method 1: Enable or disable via Microsoft Edge Settings (user-level)

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Click the three-dot menu (… button) in the top-right corner.
3. Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services.
4. Scroll down to the Privacy section.
5. Locate “Send ‘Do Not Track’ requests”.
6. Toggle the switch:
   • On: Enables sending Do Not Track requests
   • Off: Disables sending Do Not Track requests
7. Changes will take effect immediately without restarting your PC.

Method 2: Enable or disable via Local Group Policy (system-wide)

⚠️ Note: This option is ideal for all users on the computer doing the changes, especially in enterprise environments.

⚠️ Note: This applies to Microsoft Edge Legacy (for organizations or administrators)

1. Open the Group Policy Editor by pressing the Windows key + R. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter.
2. Navigate to the following path: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Edge.
3. Double-click “Configure Do Not Track”.
4. Choose one of the following:
   • Enabled: Do Not Track is turned on
   • Disabled or Not Configured: Do Not Track is off or user-defined
5. Click OK and close Group Policy Editor.
6. Restart Microsoft Edge to apply the change.

Method 3: Enable or Disable via Registry Editor

⚠️ Warning: This method is for advanced users or IT professionals. It can be scripted or deployed across multiple systems.

1. Open the Registry Editor by pressing the Windows key + R. Type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge
   • If the Edge key doesn’t exist, you’ll need to create it manually.
3. Create or modify a DWORD (32-bit) value:
   • Name: ConfigureDoNotTrack
   • Value:
     • 1: Enable Do Not Track
     • 0: Disable Do Not Track
4. Close the Registry Editor and restart the Microsoft Edge browser.

Important notes on the “Do Not Track” feature

The “Do Not Track” feature is a valuable tool in helping with user privacy. However, it’s important to note some important reminders on what the “Do Not Track” feature can and cannot do:

“Do Not Track” is a request

This Microsoft Edge function is sent as a request to websites, not a command. This means it’s not guaranteed to work every time because many websites may ignore it.

“Do Not Track” in this guide applies only to Microsoft Edge

Doing the configurations presented in this guide will only affect Microsoft Edge. Other browsers, such as Chrome or Firefox, have their own “Do Not Track” options that you can manage separately.

“Do Not Track” can be enforced in enterprise setups

Group Policy and Registry methods can be used to implement the setting in enterprise environments. Administrators typically use Group Policy through Active Directory to enforce the Do Not Track setting across multiple devices in managed infrastructures. Meanwhile, the Registry can also be used for individual device configuration.

Configuring the “Do Not Track” feature

The “Do Not Track” feature is a handy tool that sends requests to websites and asks them to stop tracking browsing activity. Enabling or disabling this setting is straightforward for personal PC users. They can easily toggle the “Do Not Track” option in Microsoft Edge’s settings. Meanwhile, Group Policy and Registry options allow enforcement in enterprise or multi-user setups. While not widely adopted, enabling “Do Not Track” is a privacy-conscious step for users concerned about having their browsing behavior tracked.