Forum Discussion

Danny0132's avatar
Danny0132
Brass Contributor
Jun 20, 2023

Browser Essentials - Icon Removal

A new issue is now we have a "Browser Essentials" Icon in the top toolbar. I downloaded and latest admx files to try and disable it via GPO and could not find the option. Do you know of a registry...
lforbes's avatar
lforbes
Iron Contributor
Jun 23, 2023
Hi. This is mission critical that we have the ability to disable this in Group Policy. I have 135,000 users we manage in a critical health environment that is protected under Privacy Act and we absolutely cannot have this information collecting data icon sending private patient data to the cloud.

Microsoft should be providing the Group Policy BEFORE they deploy these Spam and advertising icons. We have disabled the BING bar and shopping and everything else.

It is like playing wack a mole with advertising now. It is worse than Spyware.
Reza_Ameri's avatar
Reza_Ameri
Silver Contributor
Jun 23, 2023
While I agree with the fact that the policy is needed and the team are aware of it.
However, you still have control over privacy.
The data related to dangerous site and dangerous download is by the SmartScreen filter which you could disable them and when you do, it won't show any data.
However, when you enable SmartScreen filter even if you disable this feature, data will be shared so it could detect and block malicious websites.
  • Kelly_Y's avatar
    Kelly_Y
    Icon for Microsoft rankMicrosoft
    Aug 07, 2023

    Microsoft Edge Stable v115.0.1901.200 and Extended Stable v114.0.1823.106 was released today.  Please provide any feedback after testing.  Thanks! 

     

    -Kelly

  • JLowis's avatar
    JLowis
    Copper Contributor
    Aug 02, 2023
    Thank you for the update. I look forward to testing it out.
  • Kelly_Y's avatar
    Kelly_Y
    Icon for Microsoft rankMicrosoft
    Jul 31, 2023

    JLowis Danny0132 lforbes JoachimT Hello All - The PinBrowserEssentialsToolbarButton policy is now available to hide the Browser essentials button on the toolbar.  Policy information here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/deployedge/microsoft-edge-policies#pinbrowseressentialstoolbarbutton

     

    It is currently available in Microsoft Edge Beta Channel 116.  The latest Beta was just released today, Version 116.0.1938.36.  For Stable 115 and Extended Stable 114, the policy should be available in the upcoming releases for those channels this week.  

     

    Thanks for your feedback! 

     

    -Kelly

  • JLowis's avatar
    JLowis
    Copper Contributor
    Jul 03, 2023

    Kelly_Y The ShowRecommendationsEnabled policy was what I was looking for to remove the mobile app pop-up.  Thank you.  Looking forward to a policy to disable the browser essentials button.  

  • JLowis's avatar
    JLowis
    Copper Contributor
    Jun 26, 2023

    Kelly_Y  Yes please remove the icon on the toolbar!   And while you're at it, I can't have the "Download Microsoft Edge mobile app" pop-up showing after the latest update either..  114.0.1823.58.  Anyone know if there's already a policy to disable this?  

  • Kelly_Y's avatar
    Kelly_Y
    Icon for Microsoft rankMicrosoft
    Jun 23, 2023

    lforbes Danny0132 JoachimT Thank you for the feedback!  The team understands your concerns about the Browser essentials feature.  Browser essentials just displays browser performance and security information to users with suggestions to optimize their performance and browser protection.  At present, Browser essentials shows performance data on the devices to the user based on their current browser experience.  It does not collect any private patient data and send it to the cloud. 

     

    Also, regarding performance and security, there is no additional information being passed to the cloud related to users browsing habits. 

     

    We are actively working on creating a policy to hide the icon on the top toolbar.  Will this be sufficient for your organization? 

     

    Please continue to provide feedback on Tech Community about Browser essentials. 

     

    -Kelly