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5 Ways to Block Certain Websites in Microsoft Edge

As the classes and lessons shift to an online medium, more and more kids are being exposed to the internet at a younger age. This has worried the parents about their kids wandering off to a website they shouldn’t. So if you are concerned about the same, tag along as we discuss five ways to block certain websites on the Microsoft Edge browser.

How to Block Websites in the Microsoft Edge Browser?

Microsoft Edge currently doesn’t offer any option to block websites, but that doesn’t mean you are out of options. We will take you through various other methods that you can use to block any specific website and prevent anyone else using your computer from accessing it.

1. Use Simple Website Blocker Extension for Microsoft Edge

First, we have the Use Simple Website Blocker extension. It lets you easily block any specific website. Just navigate to the site and block it. You also have the option to unblock the site for a certain duration. This will come in useful if you don’t want to spend too much time just mindlessly browsing the web.

Step 1: Download the Simple Website Blocker extension from the Microsoft Edge Add-ons Store.

Website Blocker Edge Extension

Step 2: Now click on the extension icon in the Edge toolbar.

Website Blocker Edge Extension

Step 3: Select the Simple Website Blocker extension.

Step 4: Click on Settings.

Website Blocker Edge Extension

Step 5: Enter the website URL you want to block in the text field and click on Add.

Website Blocker Edge Extension

Doing so will add the site to the block list. Now, whenever anyone tries to visit this website, they will find the site is blocked.

2. Disable Javascript Permission for the Website

Javascript is among the widely used coding languages in the world. Several websites use it to show dynamic and interactive content. So blocking websites from using Javascript should result in most of them not loading properly. This isn’t a foolproof method, but it should help work on most sites with interactive and visual content.

Step 1: Visit the website you want to block.

Step 2: Click on Added Security on the left of the address bar.

Step 3: Select the option, Permissions for this site.

Step 4: Next, scroll down and click on the box next to Javascript.

Step 5: Choose the Block option.

Now go back to the site and refresh the page. The site should not load or behave properly now.

As an added security measure, you can block the Images permission.

This way, even if the site loads, your kid isn’t exposed to anything they shouldn’t be.

3. Block Any Website Using the Host File in Windows

Windows users can edit the host file to block any website from Microsoft Edge or other web browsers. This method might be slightly advanced for some but do not get intimidated. Just follow the steps provided below.

Step 1: Open the Start menu by pressing the Windows key.

Step 2: In the Start menu, search cmd. The first suggestion will be Command Prompt.

Step 3: Right-click on the Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

Block Website in Microsoft Edge Windows

You might be required to enter your desktop’s password or pin.

Step 4: On the Command Prompt window, type: notepad c:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\hosts and press Enter.

Block Website in Microsoft Edge Windows

This will open the Notepad application with the host file.

Block Website in Microsoft Edge Windows

Step 5: On the notepad, go to the end of the text line and press Enter to leave a space.

Step 6: Now type, 127.0.0.1 followed by the website URL you want to block. For example, 127.0.0.1 www.youtube.com

To add another website, press the Enter key to shift to a new line and type 127.0.0.1 followed by the website URL again.

Step 7: Now click on the File menu on the top left side of the Notepad window.

Step 8: Select the Save option and close the Notepad and Command Prompt.

This will prevent the site from accessing the web, essentially blocking it in the process.

4. Block Any Website Using the Host File in macOS

Those working with a MacBook or Mac computer need not be concerned. Like Windows, you can also make changes to the host file in macOS to block websites on Microsoft Edge, Safari, and other web browsers installed on the system. Here is how you can do it.

Step 1: Press Command Key + Spacebar to open Spotlight search.

Step 2: Type Terminal and press Return.

Block Website in Microsoft Edge Mac

Step 3: In the terminal window, type: sudo nano /etc/hosts and press Return.

Block Website in Microsoft Edge Mac

Step 4: Enter your administrator password and then press Return again.

Once entered, it will show the host file.

Step 5: Use the down arrow and move down to the last line.

Step 6: Now type 127.0.0.1, then space and enter the website URL. For example, 127.0.0.1 www.youtube.com

Block Website in Microsoft Edge Mac

Step 7: Press Control + O and press Return.

Step 8: Next, press Control + X to finish the process and close the Terminal window.

Changing the host file will result in the site being able to connect to the browser, essentially blocking it for all web browsers on the system.

5. Block Certain Websites with Block Site Extension

Block Site is not just a website blocker but a productivity tool. This extension will let you block sites, but you also have the option to schedule and limit the amount of time you can spend on a website. This way, you don’t spend more time than you need to and focus on other important things. Here is how you can set it up.

Step 1: Download Block Site from Chrome Web Store.

Step 2: Visit the website that you want to block.

Step 3: Click on the extension icon in the Edge toolbar.

Step 4: Select the Block Site extension.

Step 5: Click on the button that says, Block current site.

This will block anyone from accessing this site until unblocked from the extension.

To limit the time spent on that site, you need to go to the Block Schedule settings.

Step 6: To access Schedule settings, open the Block Site extension using the steps above.

Step 7: Next, click on the Settings icon as shown in the image below.

Step 8: Select the Blocking Schedule tab to change block settings.

You can also block sites by words or phrases or only allow certain websites on Edge by whitelisting them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is There a Built-in Method to Block Websites in Microsoft Edge?

No. As of the current build, Microsoft Edge does not feature any option or settings to block a website or a URL. However, it has a SmartScreen feature that blocks harmful and malicious websites automatically.

Q. Which Extensions Can Help Me Block Websites on Microsoft Edge?

You can use the Simple Website Block or Block Site extension to restrict access to any website. Since there are several extensions by the same name, we recommend you go with the one for which we have provided the link in the first method.

Other than Block Site, you can also try out Block Site Ex and LeechBlock NG.

Q. Is It Possible to Remove Websites from the Host File in Windows and Mac?

Yes. All you have to do is open the host file using the steps from the third method and remove the name of the website you want to unblock, and Save the file.

Wrapping Up

Websites are designed to be addicting these days, so it is good to have the option to restrict them so that kids and adults like us too can focus on important things and stay productive. We also hope that Microsoft Edge soon introduces a solution similar to Parental lock to restrict and block access to certain websites. If you have any queries related to this article, please let us know and stay tuned on BrowserToUse for more such articles and How-Tos.

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