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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...
Kelly_Y's avatar
Kelly_Y
Icon for Microsoft rankMicrosoft
Jun 22, 2023

JoachimT Danny0132 Hey!  The team has confirmed adding a policy is on the roadmap but no ETA yet.  We will follow up once there is more information.  Thanks! 

 

-Kelly

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
      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

       

      • 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?  

  • Danny0132's avatar
    Danny0132
    Brass Contributor
    Jun 23, 2023
    Couldn't agree more.

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