Microsoft Edge Clear browser data on exit has no effect

Question

Hello,

i have the following problem:

The policy "Clear Browser Data on Exit" simply does not work for me. It's under Computerconfiguration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Microsoft Edge.

I have tried multiple machines, even fresh ones without any policies taking effect (no local policies nor domain ones). It just never works. It is as if it is ignored completely. Editing the registry directly shows no effect either. Is there something i am missing? Why does the browser ignore the policy completely. Every browser data like history for example is still there when I test it.

Any ideas? I really need to configure this.

Answer 1

@jasun kadrijoski,
Are you trying to set this policy for the MS Edge (Chromium) browser?
If yes, it looks like you are setting the policy for the Edge legacy browser and this is the reason that it is not working.
For the Edge (chromium) browser, you need to download and installed the Edge Group Policy template first, I suggest you refer to this document and follow the steps to install it.

After that, you need to enable the Clear browsing data when Microsoft Edge closes policy.

Group Policy (ADMX) info:

• GP unique name: ClearBrowsingDataOnExit
• GP name: Clear browsing data when Microsoft Edge closes
• GP path (Mandatory): Administrative Templates/Microsoft Edge/
• GP ADMX file name: MSEdge.admx

Let me know if I misunderstand something, I will try to correct myself.

Thanks for your understanding.

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Answer 2

@ComfortableOnion ,

We can tell the difference by checking the Edge browser version. From your browser version, we can say that you are using the Edge (chromium) browser. If you see the Edge browser version something like 44.x.x then you can say that it is an Edge legacy browser. Edge legacy browser will also show you an EDGEHTML version. Edge (Chromium) browser will not show you EDGEHTML version.

Also, the icons of both browsers are different.

In the above picture, Edge legacy is on the left side and Edge (Chromium) is on the right side.

In addition, both Edge legacy and Edge (Chromium) browsers have noticeable differences in their UI. So we can easily identify it.

The group policies you were applying before are for the Edge legacy browser, If you have an Edge legacy browser on your machine then those policies can work for it.

For the Edge (Chromium) browser, you need to download the Edge Group Policy template as I informed you in my answer.

I hope this comment may give you some additional information, let me know if you have further questions.

Thanks for your understanding.

Answer 3

How do I tell the difference between MS Chromium and Legacy? The icons are the same and there is no indication for "Chromium" anywhere. Hitting "about" gives me following information:

Microsoft Edge
Version 89.0.774.68 (Offizielles Build) (64-Bit)
The use of this browser was made possible through the Open-Source project Chromium

Does that mean i used MS Edge Chromium? If so no wonder the policies did not apply.

What I am a bit confused about is why there is no update to these gpo or atleast some kind of info, to let administrators know that these policies do not work anymore.

Edit: After downloading the template, all the policies work. Thank you.

Answer 4

Thanks for your answer. I learned something new