Configure Web Content Filtering
Verified with Microsoft Edge 152.0.4191.53 — updated on July 10, 2026
Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 135, Windows 7 or later
Path in the GPO console
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Microsoft Edge User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Microsoft Edge Description
Configure this policy to block access to specific categories of websites in Microsoft Edge on Windows devices. Web Content Filtering is available exclusively in Microsoft Edge on Windows and requires the appropriate Microsoft 365 licensing. When this policy is enabled, users are blocked from accessing URLs that fall within the defined list of content categories. You can configure this by adding Category Strings to the list of blocked categories. If the policy is not configured or is disabled, no categories will be blocked. To view the list of supported content categories, including each Category String and its definition, refer to: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/web-content-filtering?view=o365-worldwide#category-definitions To block a specific URL outside of a category, use the “Block access to a list of URLs” policy. To allow a specific URL that falls under a blocked category, use the “Define a list of allowed URLs” policy. Note: This policy is supported only when deployed through the Edge management service, not via Microsoft Intune. To use this policy, your organization must have one of the following licenses: - Microsoft 365 A1, A3, or A5 - Microsoft 365 Business Premium - Microsoft 365 Business Basic or Standard with Intune Plan 1 or Plan 2 Policy options mapping: * chat (chat) = Chat * child_abuse_images (child_abuse_images) = Child Abuse Images * criminal_activity (criminal_activity) = Criminal Activity * download_sites (download_sites) = Download Sites * gambling (gambling) = Gambling * games (games) = Games * hacking (hacking) = Hacking * hate_and_intolerance (hate_and_intolerance) = Hate and Intolerance * illegal_drug (illegal_drug) = Illegal Drug * illegal_software (illegal_software) = Illegal Software * image_sharing (image_sharing) = Image Sharing * instant_messaging (instant_messaging) = Instant Messaging * nudity (nudity) = Nudity * peer_to_peer (peer_to_peer) = Peer to Peer * pornography_or_sexually_explicit (pornography_or_sexually_explicit) = Pornography or Sexually Explicit * professional_networking (professional_networking) = Professional Networking * self_harm (self_harm) = Self Harm * sex_education (sex_education) = Sex Education * social_networking (social_networking) = Social Networking * streaming_and_downloads (streaming_and_downloads) = Streaming Media and Downloads * tasteless (tasteless) = Tasteless * violence (violence) = Violence * weapons (weapons) = Weapons * web_based_email (web_based_email) = Web Based Email * gen_ai (gen_ai) = Gen AI * shopping (shopping) = Shopping * 3p_search_engines (3p_search_engines) = 3P Search Engines * none (none) = None Use the preceding information when configuring this policy. Example value: gambling streaming_and_downloads games
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: Configure Web Content Filtering
; State: Enabled
; Scope: Computer (HKLM)
; Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 135, Windows 7 or later
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\WebContentFilteringBlockedCategories]
; List values: enter one value per line in the builder UI.More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)
PowerShell
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Configure Web Content Filtering
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 135, Windows 7 or later
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\WebContentFilteringBlockedCategories'
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: Configure Web Content Filtering
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 135, 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\WebContentFilteringBlockedCategories: 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: Configure Web Content Filtering
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 135, Windows 7 or later
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\WebContentFilteringBlockedCategories'
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: Configure Web Content Filtering
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 135, 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: Configure Web Content Filtering
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 135, 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\WebContentFilteringBlockedCategories: 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: Configure Web Content Filtering
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 135, Windows 7 or later
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\WebContentFilteringBlockedCategories'
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.