Prevent users from importing data from other browsers into Edge

It is possible to import browsing data, saved passwords, etc., from other browsers in Edge. But if you wish, you can stop or prevent users from importing data into Edge using Registry Editor and Local Group Policy Editor. You can allow or block autofill form data, browser setting, browsing history, cookies, extensions, favorites, home page settings, payment info, saved passwords, etc., from being imported into the Microsoft Edge browser.

Prevent users from importing data from other browsers into Edge

To prevent users from importing data from other browsers into Edge using Group Policy, follow these steps-

1. Press Win+R to open the Run prompt.
2. Type gpedit.msc and press the Enter button.
3. Navigate to Microsoft Edge in Computer Configuration.
4. Double-click on Allow importing browsing history.
5. Select the Disabled option.
6. Click the OK button.
7. Repeat the same steps for other settings.

Before getting started, you should know that the Group Policy Templates for Microsoft Edge are required to open the aforementioned setting.

Once done, press Win+R to open the Run prompt, type gpedit.msc, and hit the Enter button. After opening the Local Group Policy Editor on your computer, navigate to the following path-

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Classic Administrative Templates > Microsoft Edge

On the right-hand side, you can see the following settings-

• Allow importing of autofill form data
• Allow importing of browser settings
• Allow importing of browsing history
• Allow importing of Cookies
• Allow importing of extensions
• Allow importing of favorites
• Allow importing of home page settings
• Allow importing of open tabs
• Allow importing of payment info
• Allow importing of saved passwords
• Allow importing of search engine settings
• Allow importing of shortcuts

You need to click on each setting, select the Disabled option, and click the OK button.

If you disable all the aforementioned settings, users won’t be able to import anything from other browsers into Microsoft Edge. However, if you disable a specific setting, you can find it grayed out while importing other data from another browser.

Block users from important data from other browsers into Edge using Registry

To block users from important data from other browsers into Edge using Registry, follow these steps-

1. Press Win+R to open the Run prompt.
2. Type regedit and hit the Enter button.
3. Click the Yes button.
4. Navigate to Microsoft in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
5. Right-click on Microsoft > New > Key.
6. Name it as Edge.
7. Right-click on Edge > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
8. Name it as follows.
9. Repeat the same steps for other settings.

Let’s check out the detailed version of these steps.

Before getting started, it is recommended to backup Registry files to be on the safe side.

At first, you need to open Registry Editor. For that, press Win+R, type regedit, press the Enter button and select the Yes button in the UAC prompt.

Now, navigate to the following path-

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoft

If you can see the Edge key in Microsoft, you do not need to follow the 5th and 6th steps. Otherwise, right-click on Microsoft, select New > Key, and name it as Edge.

After that, right-click on Edge and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.

You need to name the REG_DWORD value as per the setting you want to disable.

• Autofill form data: ImportAutofillFormData
• Browser settings: ImportBrowserSettings
• Browsing history: ImportHistory
• Cookies: ImportCookies
• Extensions: ImportExtensions
• Favorites: ImportFavorites
• Home page settings: ImportHomepage
• Open tabs: ImportOpenTabs
• Payment info: ImportPaymentInfo
• Saved passwords: ImportSavedPasswords
• Search engine settings: ImportSearchEngine

By default, the REG_DWORD value has a Value data of 0, and you need to keep it that way. If you enter 1, it will get enabled.

In other words, if you want to revert the change, you can either set the Value data as 1 or delete the REG_DWORD value.

That’s all!

TIP: You can also prevent users from downloading files in Edge.