Block smart actions for a list of services
Verified with Microsoft Edge 152.0.4191.53 — updated on July 10, 2026
Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 89, Windows 7 or later
Path in the GPO console
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Microsoft Edge User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Microsoft Edge Description
List specific services, such as PDFs, and websites that don't show smart actions. (Smart actions are actions like "define" which are available in full and mini context menus in Microsoft Edge.) If you enable the policy: - The smart action in the mini and full context menu is disabled for all profiles for services that match the given list. - Users won't see the smart action in the mini and full context menu on text selection for services that match the given list. - In Microsoft Edge settings, the smart action in the mini and full context menu is disabled for services that match the given list. If you disable or don't configure this policy: - The smart action in the mini and full context menu is enabled for all profiles. - Users will see the smart action in the mini and full context menu on text selection. - In Microsoft Edge settings, the smart action in the mini and full context menu is enabled. Policy options mapping: * smart_actions (smart_actions) = Smart actions in pdfs and on websites * smart_actions_website (smart_actions_website) = Smart actions on websites * smart_actions_pdf (smart_actions_pdf) = Smart actions in PDF Use the preceding information when configuring this policy. Example value: smart_actions smart_actions_website smart_actions_pdf
Registry
Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge Export Builder
BETAConfigure the state, scope and options, then generate .reg, PowerShell, Intune and SCCM outputs — or add the setting to a multi-setting collection.
These exports write the registry — this is not a managed GPO. ⓘ
Applying both scopes creates an ambiguous configuration (computer takes precedence over user). Only do this intentionally.
.reg file
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Block smart actions for a list of services
; State: Enabled
; Scope: Computer (HKLM)
; Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 89, Windows 7 or later
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\SmartActionsBlockList]
; List values: enter one value per line in the builder UI.More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)
PowerShell
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Block smart actions for a list of services
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 89, Windows 7 or later
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\SmartActionsBlockList'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
# List values: enter one value per line in the builder UI.Intune XML
No direct Policy CSP / OMA-URI mapping for this policy. Use the Intune Remediation tab, or ingest the ADMX in Intune.Intune Remediation
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Block smart actions for a list of services
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 89, Windows 7 or later
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
# HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\SmartActionsBlockList: List values: enter one value per line in the builder UI.
# No testable registry values are available for this state.
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Block smart actions for a list of services
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 89, Windows 7 or later
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\SmartActionsBlockList'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
# List values: enter one value per line in the builder UI.SCCM scripts
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Block smart actions for a list of services
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 89, Windows 7 or later
# SCCM Configuration Item guidance:
# Create a Configuration Item of type "Setting: Script".
# Discovery script: use the Detection script below.
# Remediation script: use the Remediation script below.
# Compliance rule: the Discovery script output equals 'Compliant'.
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Block smart actions for a list of services
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 89, Windows 7 or later
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
# HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\SmartActionsBlockList: List values: enter one value per line in the builder UI.
# No testable registry values are available for this state.
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Block smart actions for a list of services
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 89, Windows 7 or later
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\SmartActionsBlockList'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
# List values: enter one value per line in the builder UI.Building a multi-setting collection? Add this setting and generate combined .reg / PowerShell / GPO scripts.