Set Up Microsoft Edge Correctly

Set Up Microsoft Edge Correctly
Microsoft Edge is a modern and capable web browser, and anyone familiar with Google Chrome should find it a familiar experience. But Microsoft also uses Edge as a vehicle to push its advertising and web services, and its claims about privacy and tracking protection often fall short. So if you're going to use Microsoft Edge as your go-to web browser each day, it's important that you configure it properly, to avoid Microsoft's pushy attempts to lock you into its corporate strategies, and to protect your privacy and security.
You should review this chapter before you run Microsoft Edge for the first time. But if you're already using Edge, no worries: we explain how you can make any necessary or recommended configuration changes after the fact as well.
Initial set up
The first time you launch Microsoft Edge, it displays a full-screen experience that steps you through configuring the browser. It is very important that you pay attention here, because some of the language is confusing and Microsoft will try to push you into adopting first-party services you may not want.

So let's run through each step.
Welcome to Microsoft Edge, the best performing browser on Windows
In this first screen, Microsoft is asking you whether you wish to sync Edge settings with your Microsoft account.

You almost certainly do: if you click the "Manage" link, you will see which browser settings that Microsoft will apply to this instance of Microsoft Edge and then keep in sync going forward.

You can use this screen to omit certain settings from syncing if you like. But most are best served by leaving this as it is: you will probably want all of your browser data on each PC (and, potentially, mobile device) you use.
You can always change which data that Microsoft Edge syncs later. To do so, open Edge settings (Settings and more > Settings) and navigate to Profiles > Sync. There, you will see the same list of browser settings, and can toggle any or all of them off.
We can help you import your browsing data from Google
In this rather insidious screen, Microsoft is attempting to facilitate your switch from Google Chrome, by far the most popular web browser, to Microsoft Edge. And they would like to do so without letting you first install Chrome, after which importing browsing data in either direction is rather straightforward. Instead, Microsoft Edge will prompt you to sign into your Google account so that it can import the data that way.

You can determine which browser data is imported by clicking the "Manage" link.
Should you import your Chrome browsing data now? That depends. If you are currently a Chrome user but wish to switch to Edge now, sure. But in the far more likely event that you will use Edge to install Chrome and then never run Edge again, you can simply skip this step. And if you're not sure which browser you'll want to use but are open to at least trying Edge, you can always import that data lat...