Microsoft Edge offers Enhance your security on the web, an optional browsing mode that provides an extra layer of protection when browsing the web and unfamiliar sites.
Note: If you're an IT admin and need more information on the feature and its policies, see Browse more safely with Microsoft Edge
What is Enhance your security on the web?
Enhanced security in Microsoft Edge helps safeguard against memory-related vulnerabilities by disabling just-in-time (JIT) JavaScript compilation and enabling additional operating system protections for the browser. These protections include Hardware-enforced Stack Protection and Arbitrary Code Guard (ACG). With these protections in place, Microsoft Edge helps reduce the risk of an attack by automatically applying stricter security settings on unfamiliar sites while adapting to your browsing habits over time.
There are four available options for this feature
By default, this feature is turned off. When enhanced security is turned on, you can select from three levels of browsing security: Basic, Balanced, and Strict. You can manually add site exceptions. Sites added to the exception list will have the feature turned off by default.
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Off (Default) |
Feature is turned off. |
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Basic (Recommended) |
Microsoft Edge applies added security protections to less visited sites. Websites will work as expected. |
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Balanced |
Microsoft Edge applies added security protections to sites that you don’t engage with often or are unknown to you. Websites you browse frequently will be left out. Most sites will work as expected. |
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Strict |
Microsoft Edge applies added security protections to all sites visited by default. Strict mode may impact your ability to complete normal tasks on the web because some parts of websites might not work as expected. |
Note: Some parts of a website you visit might not work due to compatibility issues when this feature is turned on. Strict mode is not recommended for most users as it would require some level of configuration to complete daily tasks.
What to expect when enhanced security is turned on
When this feature is turned on you will see Added security to the left of your browser’s address bar. This indicates that Microsoft Edge is applying enhanced security to this specific website.
To turn enhanced security on or off from a particular website:
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Select Added security to display an expanded menu.
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Select Enhance security for this site and turn the Use enhanced security for this sitetoggle On or Off.
If you turn off Use enhanced security for this site, Microsoft Edge will automatically add that website to a list of site exceptions.
Select your security enhancement level
Select your preferred level of added security using the following steps:
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In Microsoft Edge, go to Settings and more .
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Select Settings > Privacy, search, and services.
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Under the Security section, make sure Enhance your security on the web is set to On.
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Select the browsing mode that’s right for you.
Make an exception for security enhancements
In all three enhanced security modes, you can create exceptions for familiar websites that you trust. This will remove the extra layer of protection for all sites added to the exception list. Any exception you add will always have the enhanced security feature turned off.
Add a site to your exception list using the following steps:
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In Microsoft Edge, select Settings and more > Settings > Privacy, search, and services.
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Make sure Enhance your security on the web is set to On.
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Under Enhance your security on the web, select Exceptions.
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Select Add a site, type in the full URL, and then select Add.
