How to Block a Website on Microsoft Edge: Full Guide

As of now, Microsoft Edge is a leading web browser, holding a significant market share. Despite Chrome's dominance with about 64 percent, Microsoft Edge continues to gain popularity, especially with the recent updates that enhance its compatibility across various operating systems. The browser's user-friendly features, such as the ability to block websites, make it a favorite among many, including parents looking to how to block a website for their kids.

Microsoft Edge's ease of use in blocking websites is particularly appreciated. Parents can easily restrict access to certain sites, ensuring that their kids are protected from inappropriate content. If you're looking to how to block a website on Microsoft Edge, this guide will walk you through the steps, making it simple to manage the online content your children can view.

By understanding how to block websites on Microsoft Edge, you can take control of your family's browsing habits and create a safer online environment. Whether you're new to Edge or a seasoned user, this guide will help you learn how to block websites effectively.

How to Block a Website on Microsoft Edge

There are multiple ways you can block websites on the browser, with two of the most common being via the browser and the host file of the computer.

Via the browser

Blocking websites through the Edge browser is quite simple. All you need to do is the following:

Step 1: Launch Microsoft Edge and look towards the top-right corner, where you’ll find three dots. Press the button.

Step 2: The three dots will launch a drop-down menu. Look for the settings option and click on that.

Step 3: Once you’ve accessed the settings for the browser, locate the “site permissions” from the left sidebar menu.

Step 4: In the site permissions, you need to click on “Cookies and Site Data.”

Step 5: Under the block heading, select the “Add” button to block any websites you want to block access to.

Step 6: If you want to block YouTube, for instance, all you need to do is enter its URL (www.youtube.com) and then press Add again.

Remember, this method only blocks the website within Microsoft Edge and does not affect other browsers or devices. If you need to block websites across multiple browsers or devices, consider using family safety settings or third-party parental control software for more comprehensive protection.

Via the host file

Apart from using the browser, blocking a website on Microsoft Edge via the host file is a more technical approach that affects all browsers and applications on the computer, you can also block websites on Microsoft Edge by accessing the Host file. C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc (Windows 7). If you’re currently using Windows 8 or 10, then you can gain access to the host file through the following steps:

Step 1: Look up your notepad on the search box and run it as the administrator.

Step 2: On the top-left of the notepad, click on File > Open.

Step 3: Once the search toolbox is open, enter C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc and ensure you have selected the “All file types” option from the drop-down menu.

Step 4: Click on the host file to access it.

Step 5: Once you’ve accessed the host file, you can now block websites. At the bottom of the file, you need to type 0.0.0.0, followed by the address of the website you want to block.

By following these steps, you will have successfully blocked the specified website on Microsoft Edge and all other applications on your computer that rely on the system's DNS resolution. Remember, editing the host file can affect your entire network traffic, so use this method with caution.

FamiSafe - Edge Website Blocker 

Sometimes, you want to block a website on your browser, but for some reason or the other, you’re unable to do so using the methods above. It could be because of a new update or due to an issue you’re not able to identify. In cases such as this, you can use third-party apps to add parental controls to your device.

One app that gives you the flexibility to introduce parental controls to your mobile device is FamiSafe. Perhaps one of the best things about FamiSafe is its compatibility with a wide range of devices with iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Chromebook, and Fire operating systems. Additionally, it is also compatible with monitoring tablets, eliminating the need to jailbreak or root the device.

The app offers a vast array of features, providing parents with much-needed control over their kids’ device activities. It allows you to block inappropriate websites on your kid's devices, control your children’s screen time, detect suspicious content on your kids’ devices, and track their real-time locations.

- Web Filter To Block Websites

Just like other parental control apps allow, FamiSafe can be used to filter websites based on their categories. For instance, if you want to shield your child from accessing pornographic or violent websites, you can block all types of inappropriate content through the app.

Moreover, if you’d like to allow access to certain websites, you can build a Whitelist that comprises sites with appropriate content for your kids. If your kid is trying to access a website they’re too young for; you’ll instantly get a notification letting you know what’s happening.

Apart from this, one of the best features of the app is your ability to access browser history even if it’s been used through incognito mode. Kids can be sneaky, and there’s no denying that today’s young generation is tech-savvy, so they’re probably aware of how they can hide their browsing histories from their parents. Luckily, you can check your child’s browsing history, even if they visit a website secretly or delete its entry.

- Explicit Content Detection for Android Devices

One particular feature that sets FamiSafe apart is its explicit content detection feature. Today’s kids have more exposure than we did once upon a time. They could come across an adult topic, such as sex, and their naturally curious minds would want to know more about it. Apart from this, easy access to the internet has also made kids more vulnerable to cyberbullying and harassment on various platforms, such as social media apps like Facebook Instagram, and YouTube.

Luckily, FamiSafe has multiple features in place that help parents monitor any questionable activity on their kids’ devices. For starters, the app offers social media monitoring, where you can connect the app to your kids’ accounts and keep track of any risky keywords from their search history and sent and received texts on various apps. These apps include Facebook, Messenger, SMS, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, Gmail, Kik, and Twitter. If the app detects any indication of pornography, cyberbullying, or other potentially inappropriate topics, it’ll notify you.

Apart from this, the Android version of the app allows you to view your kids’ watch history and block specific channels or videos on their devices. The app will notify you if it detects inappropriate comments, titles, and descriptions from any videos they’ve liked, posted, subscribed to, or commented on.

Lastly, you can also make a list of specific keywords or topics you’re concerned about and would like to be notified of. You can add offensive and insulting words into different categories, and if, in case, they’re used, you’ll be notified.

- Smart Schedule To Set Up Block Depending On Different Time And Location

Parents today struggle a lot with screen time; on average, kids between the ages of 8-18 spend a whopping 7.5 hours in front of a screen every day. These habits, unfortunately, have led to a detrimental impact on overall productivity. FamiSafe offers a solution by allowing you to track how much time your kids are spending online daily, weekly, or monthly. You can determine when kids are wasting most time in front of the screens.

Additionally, you can set up a smart schedule that schedules daily or weekly screen time based on particular times or locations, such as study time or school. You can also take it up a notchy by adding a block and ensuring, for instance, that your kids aren’t able to access social media apps right before bedtime or during school.

Due to the increased exposure, parents need to ensure they’re monitoring their kids’ exposure levels as much as they can. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways parents can stay in control through apps and the various built-in features that come with web browsers. Parental controls are crucial to create a safe and healthy environment for your kids and to ensure they’re not growing up too fast. Therefore, it is not only necessary to block websites on Edge but also the usage of your digital devices.