How to Disable Machine Learning ML Powered Autofill Suggestions in Microsoft Edge

Is Microsoft Edge’s Smart Autofill Feature a Privacy Nightmare? Want to Effortlessly Stop Microsoft Edge from Tracking Your Form Data?

Microsoft Edge has a feature that tries to help you fill out forms online. It uses something called machine learning, which is a type of artificial intelligence. This smart autofill feature learns from the forms you see on different websites. It looks at the labels on the form fields, like “Name” or “Email,” to guess what you might want to type there. This can make filling out forms faster.

However, you might not be comfortable with your browser collecting this information. Even though Microsoft says it only collects the field labels and not what you type into them, you might still prefer to keep your browsing habits more private. The good news is that you have complete control over this feature. You can turn it off easily. This guide will show you how to disable these smart suggestions in Microsoft Edge.

Why You Might Want to Disable Smart Autofill Suggestions 

Privacy is a big reason. When a browser feature collects data, even if it’s meant to be harmless, it can feel like an intrusion. You might worry about where this information is stored and who has access to it. By turning this feature off, you take a step to ensure your online activity remains as private as you want it to be.

Another reason is control. Sometimes, automated suggestions can be wrong or annoying. They might pop up when you don’t need them or suggest incorrect information. Disabling the feature puts you back in charge of what gets typed into web forms, which can prevent mistakes and frustration. It simplifies your browsing experience, removing one automated process from the equation.

Solution 1: Using the Microsoft Edge Settings Menu

The most straightforward way to stop the smart autofill suggestions is through the browser’s settings. This method is simple, requires no technical skill, and can be done in just a few moments.

1. Open the Microsoft Edge browser.
2. Look for the three dots (…) in the top-right corner of the window. Click on them to open the main menu, and then select “Settings.”
3. On the left side of the Settings page, you will see a list of options. Click on “Profiles.” This section manages your personal information and browser settings related to it.
4. In the “Profiles” section, click on the “Personal info” option. This is where Edge stores information like your name, address, and email for autofill purposes.
5. Here, you will find a toggle switch labeled “Enable machine learning powered autofill suggestions.” To turn the feature off completely, simply click this switch to the “Off” position.

By following these steps, you have told Microsoft Edge to stop using its machine learning model for autofill suggestions. The change takes effect immediately.

Solution 2: For Advanced Users Using the Registry Editor

If you are comfortable with making changes to your computer’s system settings, you can use the Windows Registry Editor to disable this feature. This method is more powerful and can be used to apply the setting for all users on a computer. Be careful when using the Registry Editor, as incorrect changes can cause problems with your operating system.

1. Press the Windows + R on keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Type regedit into the box and press Enter. This will open the Registry Editor.
2. In the Registry Editor, you will need to navigate to a specific key.
   • To disable the feature for only your user account, go to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft
   • To disable it for all users on the computer, go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft
3. Under the “Microsoft” key, you need to create a new key. Right-click on the “Microsoft” key, select “New,” and then click “Key.” Name this new key Edge.
4. Click on the new “Edge” key you just created. In the right-hand panel, right-click on an empty space, select “New,” and then click “DWORD (32-bit) Value.”
5. Name this new DWORD value EdgeAutofillMlEnabled.
6. By default, its value will be 0, which is what you need to disable the feature. Simply leave the value as 0.

After you have made this change, restart Microsoft Edge. The browser will now be prevented from using the ML-powered autofill feature. If you ever want to turn it back on, you can simply delete the “EdgeAutofillMlEnabled” value you created. You might notice a message in Edge’s settings that says, “Your browser is managed by your organization.” This is normal and appears whenever a policy is set through the registry. You can safely ignore it.