Ad blockers are a wonderful thing. They do exactly what they're supposed to: block ads when browsing the web.
That sounds great, but most of the time blocking ads means you're also not supporting websites that offer you content for free. So keep that in mind. If you must use an ad blocker, here's our selection of the best options for Microsoft's Edge browser.
AdBlock
This is the original ad blocker, and some people consider it the best. With over 200 million downloads since its launch, AdBlock is the go-to ad blocker for many people no matter what browser they use. By default, AdBlock will block the most offensive ads while whitelisting a number of unobtrusive ones. You can whitelist your favorite sites, too, if you wish to continue supporting them.
Adblock Plus
Much like AdBlock, Adblock Plus will block obtrusive ads while whitelisting a selection of unobstrusive ad providers. As it currently stands, Adblock Plus is currently in beta on Microsoft Edge, meaning you may encounter some issues with the extension. What's more, since it's beta, not all of its expected features are available yet. Still, Adblock Plus is another incredibly popular ad blocker.
Ghostery
Ghostery advertises itself as less of an ad blocker and more of an extension that stops sites from tracking you. But it still does the ad-blocking stuff, which is why it has a home on our list. Ghostery says it'll significantly speed up your web browsing by minimizing trackers that might weigh down your system, as well as declutter webpages from annoying ads.
Adguard Ad Blocker
Adguard Ad Blocker offers the same functionality as all other ad blockers, with the addition of being able to remove certain social features from the web. If you don't like seeing Facebook Like buttons on the web, for instance, this extension can make it so they don't show up on web pages anymore. It also features built-in malware protection, pop-ups and a whole lot more.
Your favorite ad blocker
Did we somehow fail to mention your favorite ad blocker? If so, let us know in the comments below.
Reader comments
Best Ad Blockers for Microsoft Edge
i dont have a blocker on i have opera lately to use wc. cause wc crashes bad doesn't work on preview fast builds. now pops up im on an add blocker. im not so i dont know how to fix that in opera.
Ghostery isn't listet under extensions for Edge, had to search it seperatly.
The myth of Windows Store ;)
Still frustrating that none work InPrivate. I encourage anyone who hasn't already to up-vote this particular feature request in the Feedback app.
How I can just block Edge byself?
AdBlock... :) Has been doing good job for me for some time now. There is an adblocker called AdBlock ultimate on Firefox. That one is pretty strong too. I would like to see it on Edge.
and extensions for Edge on Mobile. Make it happen soon too :) :)
Adblock stopped working for me. Shame. Worse, it slowed down Edge so much, it freezes my entire PC. Using Adguard now.
This article made me smile.
"Best Ad Blocker for Edge"...
Use them...and then get a pop-up from Windows Central saying 'Please don't use Ad Blockers'
Well, don't promote them then!
I want an ad blocker that blocks taboola garbage. Have yet to find one.
Silent Site Sound Blocker (once again) ==> Allows ads so sites get their ad support but it selectively blocks the audio. I want that function in Edge or an extension.
Adguard 👍
uBlock Origin
So far I've tried Ghostery, Adblock/Plus, uBlock Origin, and Adguard on my Yoga Book. I rank them as follow:
-Ghostery (pages load faster, light, doesn't interfere with websites)
-Adguard (works but noticeable slower than Ghostery)
-Adblock
-uBlock Origin (would be number one but a bug prevents some pages from loading)
-Using nothing at all
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.
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-Adblock Plus (bug makes Edge unusable. not sure if patched yet)
uBlock for Edge will come out of preview and without those blocking bugs in the Creators Update 🙂
I had issues with Ghostery. Ultimately, crashed Edge, requiring a reinstall. AdGuard has been very solid for me.
AdGuard was a hideous resource hog.
How so? Adguard is using 36 MB and less than 1% CPU on my system. What makes you say that it is a resource hog?
Ghostery the best one to use
uBlock Origin made me unable to visit many sites, WC for instance.
What do you mean?
Instead of opening a website, Edge would constantly ask me if I wanted to save the HTM. Uninstalling the extension solved the problem.
That's a known bug in Edge that has been fixed in one of the latest insider previews
Weird. I am an insider and had the problem up until yesterday. Uninstalled uBlock and everything functioned perfectly.
I'm quite sure about that, it was specifically in the changelog in one of the latest builds (Edge downloading the html instead of navigating when using uBlock), go take a look :)
Fast Ring or Slow?
Fast Ring, it's not in Slow Ring yet.
That is what is causing it! Dang. Ok. Good to know. Will turn it off for a bit and see if that does fix. How annoying.
Just an FYI. Disabling it didn't even work. I had to uninstall it. Maybe you'll have better luck.
Disable EasyList
Thanks for the heads up!
That did it! Thank you!
Or add the following to the My Filters list in the uBlock options, per the uBlock devs:
@@$websocket
@@|blob:
oh that's what causes it. I just don't get why Apps for websites doesn't work and open the app. *sigh*. Dunno why twitter/instagram don't have apps for websites impelemented.
there is a workaround for this http://www.windowscentral.com/best-adblockers-microsoft-edge#comment-270...(and it is fixed in most recent rs2 builds....it is an edge bug)
Yea right, you talk as if they're anymore. LoL
Until Edge extensions come to mobile, I cant really be bothered. Continuum with ads on the primary app (browser) is totally unacceptible.
There are ads right in Windows. How is that acceptable?
https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-10/85341/microsoft-cheapens-win...
https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-10/106424/windows-10-tip-turn-o...
Those 'ads' can be disabled in settings. It's obviously a stretch calling them ads in the same respect anyway. They don't slow down your computer or install malware.
An ad is an ad and Windows 10 definitely has ads.
No an "ad" is not an "ad". There are 3rd party ad spaces like billboards on web pages that ad companies buy space on and there are advertisements of features in the OS that are easily turned off. The ads for apps on the start menu is more of an ad, and much more annoying than the blurb at the top of explorer telling you about an explorer feature that is relatively new.
Forget it is Windows. Imagine It's Google chrome and it has the same ads. Wouldn't you be mad?
I love windows but that's really f.u.c.k.e.d up...
I already get an ad for Chrome every time I use Google. It does not make me mad.
That is an ad on a free website. Quite different than an ad native to the operating system you payed for.
The Windows "ads" can easiily be disabled. If they upset you, you're looking to be upset, because it's trivial to stop.
I didn't pay for Windows 10. It came as a free update. I can't even remember noticing an OS ad which tells me that it wasn't that intrusive.
Not really an "ad". Its telling you about a Windows feature. Nothing like web pages where there are ad slots that people pay to advertise in. This is a MS message telling you about a feature built into windows.
They are definitley ads. They interupt your workflow and even call out competitors. I didn't pay for an operating system to feed me ads.
Ublock origin
This vanished in the store for me. How do you get it?
Its still in preview so it doesnt show up in search results. You have to open the URL http://www.windowscentral.com/e?link=http%3A%2F%2Fclkde.tradedoubler.com...
Funny you mention uBlock Origin. I just tried to go to Windowscentral.com in Edge, and instead of loading the website, it downloaded the HTML file. Tried again, happened again. I went to file a bug report, and when searching to make sure I wasn't duping a bug, someone noted that the issue was with uBlock Origin, not Edge. So I whitelist windowscentral.com on uBlock Origin, reload the webpage, and it actually loads. First article: "These are the best Edge ad blockers"!
Of course, Edge froze up any time I tried to actually interact with Windows Central after uBlock Origin was disabled. Couldn't even follow the link to this article. Tried multiple times, never worked. So I loaded the site in Chrome instead, with uBlock Origin enabled, and it worked flawlessly.
WTF Edge? I want to love you but you've still got a lot of quirks.
It's a bug in the browser to do with some advanced ad blocking uBlock does. It's fixed in the Creators Update, at which point uBlock for Edge will come out of preview.
Thank god this bug was fixed on a recent RS2 build. Ublock is my go-to adblocker since the first Edge version was released still in dv preview. :)
there is also a workaround which works for rs1, see http://www.windowscentral.com/best-adblockers-microsoft-edge#comment-270...
Like the others said, this is a bug in edge and fixed in the most recent rs2 builds...but there is a workaround, too
add this to "my filters"
@@$websocket
@@|blob:
see also https://github.com/nikrolls/uBlock-Edge/issues/45
uBlock
Adguard for me ! Light and powerfull
I just use a host file from winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm. It's simpl and quick plus it has the added benefit of blocking redirects to or downloads from evil urls on web sites which contain malicious content.
Yep I've used the host file list for years now. Never see ads (well, very very rarely). Plus it automatically works in all browsers, and everything else in the OS.
Agree. I tried all 4 included in this article plus ublock origin. Adguard is easily the best performing one and gave me the least trouble. Of course, this ad blocker is the only one that's not free.
Since when is Adguard not free?
if he doesnt mean the browser extension adguard isnt free