Microsoft Edge on Xbox is testing a built-in ad blocker

Xbox owners who use Microsoft Edge for browsing have stumbled upon an interesting new development — Microsoft appears to be testing a built-in ad blocker for the console version of its browser. A screenshot shared by an Xbox user reveals a new option under the “Optimize Performance” section in Edge settings, labeled “Reduce webpage size by blocking some content.”

Unlike Edge on desktop and mobile, which supports extensions or add-ons, the Xbox version of the browser has always lacked this functionality. That means users had no way to enhance their browsing experience with third-party content blockers like uBlock Origin. However, this new built-in feature changes things — at least partially.

According to the feature’s description, Edge for Xbox will block certain web elements using an open-source filter list called Easylist, which is widely used by many ad-blocking extensions. Users can toggle this setting on or off globally, or access an “Exceptions” option to allow all content on specific sites of their choosing, offering a degree of control. Unfortunately, there’s no option to add custom filter lists, which makes it less flexible than traditional browser extensions.

It’s worth noting that this feature is still in preview, meaning Microsoft is likely experimenting with it. While it’s exciting for Xbox users, it doesn’t necessarily indicate that Edge on other platforms will get a similar built-in ad blocker. Since desktop and mobile versions of Edge already support third-party extensions, Microsoft may see no need to introduce this feature outside of Xbox.

However, this move does highlight Microsoft’s increasing focus on user experience within Edge. If this test proves successful, it could hint at broader plans for native ad-blocking features in the future — potentially even for other platforms.

Though the Xbox version of Edge still lacks full extension support, this new built-in ad blocker is a welcomed addition. While it doesn’t offer the same level of control as dedicated ad blockers, having a native way to block intrusive ads is a step forward.

For now, Xbox users can toggle the feature in their Edge settings under “Optimize Performance.” Whether Microsoft refines and expands this tool further remains to be seen, but it’s an interesting development worth keeping an eye on.