Block a website in Edge using parental controls or extensions
Microsoft Edge has two main ways to block websites. The simplest is to install a blocking extension from the Edge Add-ons store, which you can set up in minutes. The more thorough option is to use Edge's built-in parental controls through Family Safety, which requires setting up a Microsoft family group and works across all your devices.
If you want to block a single website quickly without installing anything, you can also use your router's settings or your operating system's hosts file — but these methods require more technical steps. For most people, an extension is the fastest route.
Key Takeaways
- Edge extensions like Cold Turkey Blocker or LeechBlock NG let you block specific websites when ready without changing any system settings.
- Family Safety in Edge creates a supervised account where you can block entire categories of sites (adult content, gambling, social media) for another person.
- Blocking through an extension only works in Edge; if someone switches browsers, the block does not follow them.
- Family Safety blocks sites across all devices when the supervised person signs in with their Microsoft account, making it harder to bypass.
Using an extension to block websites
Open Edge and go to the menu (three dots in the top right). Select Extensions, then Get extensions. Search for "website blocker" or "site blocker" and you will see options like Cold Turkey Blocker, LeechBlock NG, or Freedom. Read the reviews and pick one with at least 4 stars and hundreds of ratings.
Click Get on the extension you choose, then Add extension when the confirmation appears. The extension will add an icon to your toolbar. Click that icon and follow the setup steps — usually you enter the website address you want to block (for example, reddit.com or youtube.com) and choose when the block should be active (all day, during work hours, or on a schedule you set).
Most extensions let you set a password so someone cannot straightforward disable the blocker. If you are blocking sites for yourself, this is optional. If you are blocking for a child or employee, set a password you remember but they do not know.
Setting up Family Safety to block categories of sites
Family Safety is Edge's built-in system for blocking content across devices. It works best if you are managing a child's account or want to block sites for someone else in your household. Open Edge, go to the menu, and select Settings. Click Family on the left side.
If you have not set up a family group yet, you will see a button to create one. Click it and follow the steps to add yourself as the organizer. Then add the person whose browsing you want to manage — they need a Microsoft account (free to create at account.microsoft.com). Once they are added, you will see their name in the Family section.
Click on their name, then select Web and search. You will see toggles for blocking adult content, gambling sites, social media, and other categories. Turn on the ones you want blocked. You can also click Blocked sites and type in specific addresses. These blocks explore whenever that person signs into their Microsoft account on any device.
Blocking sites through your router
If you want to block websites for everyone on your home network, you can do it at the router level. This blocks the site in every browser on every device connected to your WiFi, not just Edge.
Log into your router's admin panel — usually by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a browser address bar. You will need your router's admin password (check the sticker on the back of the router or your internet bill). Look for a section called Parental Controls, Access Control, or Content Filtering. The exact name depends on your router brand.
Enter the website address you want to block and save the settings. The block takes effect when ready. This method is harder to bypass because it works before the request even reaches your device — but it also requires you to know your router password and navigate its settings, which vary widely by manufacturer.
Differences between extension blocking and Family Safety
| Method | Works in Edge only? | Works across devices? | Blocks categories or specific sites? | Setup time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extension | Yes | No — only on this computer | Specific sites you choose | 2–3 minutes |
| Family Safety | No — blocks in all browsers | Yes — across all devices when signed in | Both categories and specific sites | 10–15 minutes (first time only) |
| Router blocking | No — blocks in all browsers | Yes — for everyone on the network | Specific sites you choose | 5–10 minutes |
Choose an extension if you are blocking sites for yourself and only use Edge. Choose Family Safety if you are managing someone else's account or want the block to follow them across devices. Choose router blocking if you want to block sites for your entire household regardless of browser.
What to do if someone bypasses the block
If you set up an extension without a password, anyone can click the extension icon and turn it off. Set a password during setup to prevent this. If you use Family Safety, the person being managed cannot disable it themselves — only you (the organizer) can change the settings from your account.
If someone uses a different browser, an extension block will not stop them — they can open Chrome or Firefox and access the site. Family Safety and router blocking both work across browsers, so they are harder to bypass. If you suspect someone is using a VPN or proxy to get around a block, that is a conversation to have directly rather than a technical problem to solve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I block a website just for certain times of day?
Yes, most extensions let you set schedules — for example, blocking YouTube between 9 AM and 5 PM on weekdays. Family Safety does not have time-based blocking built in, but some extensions work alongside it. Check the extension's description to see if scheduling is included.
Will the person I am blocking know I set it up?
With an extension, they will see the blocker icon in the toolbar and may figure it out. With Family Safety, they will see a message when they try to visit a blocked site saying "This content is restricted by your family organizer," so they will know you set it. Router blocking is invisible — they will just get a connection error.
Can I block a website on my phone in Edge?
Extensions do not work on Edge for mobile, but Family Safety does. Set up Family Safety on your computer, and it will block sites on your phone too when you sign in with the same Microsoft account. Router blocking also works on phones connected to your home WiFi.
What if I forget the password I set on the extension?
You will need to uninstall the extension and reinstall it, which resets it to the default state. You cannot recover a forgotten extension password. Write down any passwords you set and store them somewhere safe.
Does blocking a website in Edge stop it from loading at all?
Yes — when you try to visit a blocked site, you get an error message instead of the page loading. The site never loads, so you cannot accidentally see content you meant to block. With Family Safety, the blocked person sees a message explaining the block. With an extension, they see the blocker's message.