The fastest way to block a website in Edge

Microsoft Edge does not have a built-in website blocker in its settings. Instead, you block sites by using parental controls (if you set up a child account) or by installing an extension from the Edge Add-ons store. The most direct method for your own account is to install a free blocking extension, configure it with the sites you want to block, and then Edge will refuse to load those pages.

If you are setting up Edge for a child, you can use Microsoft Family Safety to block categories of content and specific websites without installing anything extra. For your own account, extensions like Freedom, Cold Turkey Blocker, or LeechBlock NG let you maintain a blocklist and set times when the blocks are active.

Key Takeaways

  • Edge has no native website blocker; you must use an extension or parental controls to block sites.
  • For a child account, Microsoft Family Safety blocks websites and content categories without needing an extension.
  • For your own account, install a blocking extension from the Edge Add-ons store, add your target websites, and the extension will prevent access.
  • Some extensions let you set schedules so blocks are only active during certain hours or days.

Blocking websites using an extension

Open Edge and go to the Edge Add-ons store by clicking the three-dot menu in the top right, then selecting Extensions, then Get extensions for Edge. Search for a blocking extension — Freedom, Cold Turkey Blocker, and LeechBlock NG are all free and widely used. Click the extension name, then click Get, then Add extension when prompted.

Once installed, the extension will appear as an icon in your toolbar. Click it to open the settings panel. Most blockers let you paste a list of websites or type them one at a time. Enter the full website address (for example, reddit.com or twitter.com) and save. From that point forward, if you try to visit a blocked site, the extension will show a warning page instead of loading the site.

Different extensions offer different features. Some let you set a timer so blocks only work during work hours or study time. Others require you to enter a password to unblock a site temporarily. Read the extension's description in the Add-ons store to see which features matter to you before installing.

Using Microsoft Family Safety for a child account

If you are setting up Edge for a child, you can use Microsoft Family Safety to block websites without installing an extension. First, create a child account in Windows by going to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > Add a family member. Choose Add a child and follow the prompts to create the account.

Once the child account exists, go to account.microsoft.com/family and sign in with your own Microsoft account. Click the child's name, then App & game restrictions. Scroll down to Web browsing and toggle on Restrict inappropriate websites. You can then add specific websites to block by clicking Block specific websites and entering the addresses.

The child will not be able to bypass these blocks without your password. Family Safety also tracks browsing history, which you can review from the same family settings page.

Blocking sites by editing your hosts file

A more technical method is to edit your computer's hosts file, which tells your system where to send requests for specific website addresses. This blocks the site in all browsers, not just Edge. On Windows, open Notepad as administrator (right-click Notepad and select Run as administrator), then go to File > Open and navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc. Select All Files from the dropdown, then open the file named hosts.

At the bottom of the file, add a new line with 127.0.0.1 reddit.com (replacing reddit.com with the site you want to block). Save the file. The next time you try to visit that site in any browser, your computer will not be able to reach it. To unblock, return to the hosts file and delete the line.

This method is permanent until you remove it, so it is best for sites you want to block long-term. It also requires administrator access to your computer, so it is harder for someone else to undo without your permission.

Blocking sites with DNS filtering

Another option is to change your DNS settings to use a filtering service like Cloudflare for Families or OpenDNS. DNS is the system that translates website names into addresses your computer can reach. By using a filtering DNS service, you can block entire categories of websites (like gambling or adult content) across all browsers and devices on your network.

To use Cloudflare for Families, go to your router's settings (usually at 192.168.1.1 in your browser address bar) and change the DNS servers to the addresses Cloudflare provides. The exact steps depend on your router model, so check your router's manual or Cloudflare's setup guide for your device type. Once configured, any device on your network will use the filtering service.

This method blocks sites at the network level, so it is harder to bypass than an extension. However, it affects all devices on your network, not just Edge, and it requires access to your router settings.

Removing a block or unblocking a website

If you used an extension, click the extension icon in your toolbar, find the blocked site in your list, and delete it. Save the changes. The site will be accessible again the next time you try to visit.

If you used Family Safety, sign back into account.microsoft.com/family, click the child's name, go to App & game restrictions > Web browsing, and remove the site from the blocked list. If you used the hosts file, open Notepad as administrator, open the hosts file again, and delete the line containing the site you want to unblock.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone bypass a website block in Edge?

It depends on the method. An extension block can usually be bypassed by uninstalling the extension or switching to a different browser. A Family Safety block on a child account cannot be bypassed without the parent's password. A hosts file or DNS filter block is harder to bypass but still possible if someone has administrator access to the computer or router.

Will a website blocker work if I use a VPN?

A VPN can sometimes bypass an extension-based block because the extension sees the VPN's address instead of the blocked site. However, a VPN will not bypass a Family Safety block or a hosts file block. DNS filtering can sometimes be bypassed with a VPN, depending on how the VPN is configured.

Can I block a website on just my user account, not for other people?

Yes. An extension block only affects your account in Edge. A hosts file or DNS filter block affects the entire computer or network. If you want to block sites only for yourself, use an extension. If you want to block sites for everyone on the computer, use the hosts file or Family Safety.

What if I forget the password to unblock a site in Family Safety?

You can reset the block by signing into account.microsoft.com/family with your parent account and removing the site from the blocklist. If you forgot your Microsoft account password, use the account recovery options at account.live.com/password/reset.

Do I need to restart Edge after blocking a website?

No. Most extensions take effect immediately. If you used the hosts file, you may need to clear your browser cache or restart Edge for the block to take effect. Family Safety blocks take effect the next time the child tries to visit the site.