Adblocking Solution for Microsoft Edge

[byalexandr]

So extension support is not yet available in Microsoft's shiny new browser. This is a shame, as the browser is very fast and fluid, and extension support would be icing on the cake, especially ad blocking (as that's really the only extension everyone gets). In the mean time, I have devised a way (through the help of research and the Internet) to block most ads in Microsoft Edge. There are several ways to go about doing this, and believe me, I've tried almost all of them. This is the one that worked best for me, so I will be detailed with it, but I will list other methods, I will just not go into too much detail. Anyway, here we go.

 

The program we will be using is AdFender. I recently started using this program as it's very easy to use and blocks most ads. The only ads I could not get to block (although I am finding ways to right now) is the YouTube banner ads on the homepage and ads on some torrent sites (not that I download anything from there, I was just seeing it as a test) as well as Vessel. Again, I will try and find some ways to block these ads, and will update this guide once I do.

 

First, go to http://adfender.com/download.html​​​

This is where we will download the AdFender program. STRONG WARNING HERE:

 

*DOWNLOAD FROM ADFENDER.COM ONLY. DO NOT USE SOFTPEDIA OR DOWNLOAD.COM*

I have not tried either one but I know they have a reputation for ridding your PC with all sorts of nasty stuff. I downloaded directly from the developer's website and it is the only one I can guarantee to not have and malware.

 

Second, go ahead and install it. It should give you an option to start up once it finishes installing, so go ahead and do so.

 

Third, and the key to get this working, is the this program is not technically compatible with Edge. To workaround this, we need to open Internet Explorer. Yes, Internet Explorer.

Open it up, hit the settings button, and click on Internet Options.

Go to the Connections tab.

Click on LAN Settings.

You want to uncheck the 'Use automatic settings' and check the box for 'Use a proxy server' with the address bar below it.

In that address bar, enter the IP address: 127.0.0.1

For the port, this should be 7070 by default, but open AdFender in your system tray and click the settings tab. In there should be something called a listening port, just make sure it's 7070. Then go ahead and enter that into the port address bar in the options window for Internet Explorer.

Click OK, click OK again, and close out Internet Explorer (good riddance).

Restart your Edge browser, and you should have most of your ads blocked.

 

That's it for now, I will post back once I figure out a way to block all of the ads. In the meantime, I can give you a list of other methods I've tired but have not been successful with:

 

Privoxy

This was very easy to install, but you have to read tons of documentation to have the slightest clue as to what to do, and even then the filtering lists are not great.

 

AdMuncher

This was terrible, it has some cheesy bar in the top of the browser window and looked like adware in itself, honestly. It didn't block many ads either.

 

AdGuard

This program was excellent. It blocked every single ad, almost as if I had a system wide AdBlock Plus. The only problem is it's very expensive for a license ($25/yr per PC, if I recall). I'm not willing to spend that kind of money for an adblocker, but one of you out there might be, so definitely give this one a shot. It has a 14 day trial and was bliss to use, and looked pretty nice as well.

 

HOSTS File

I used this one, which was okay, it's not a program or anything. The only problems are, it didn't filter all ads, and the ones it did simply were replaced with 'this webpage cannot be displayed' instead of removing the whole block where the ad was. It's still an easy route and works well for YouTube, so do give it a try. Be careful where you download the HOSTS file though.

 

And that's all for now, folks. Hopefully Microsoft gets their shit together and releases an update for Edge. I love the browser and it was a fun experience playing with all of these adblocker programs, so I thought I'd share my experience as a guide to others, as there are not many out there. I'll post back once I get some more ads blocked, but in the mean time, enjoy! Thanks!

[byalexandr]

Oh, and in AdFender, it will ask you if you want to start your trial. This is for the professional version of the software, so just hit cancel or no, and it will keep the standard license, which is not a trial, one of the reasons I downloaded it (free stuff).

[Fulgrim]

It's much easier just to use Chrome/FireFox/Opera with the Ublock Origin plugin.

 

GG for effort though.

[byalexandr]

It's much easier just to use Chrome/FireFox/Opera with the Ublock Origin plugin.

 

GG for effort though.

Just wanted to see what worked and what didn't.