From Chrome to Edge: How I Built a More Private Browsing Setup

Privacy Tools Activity: 112 Blocks by uBlock Origin, 18 by Privacy Badger

I recently switched from Chrome to Edge primarily for privacy reasons. As someone who uses Windows and understands its internals well, I’ve really benefited from the step‑by‑step guidance on removing a manufacturer’s driver update that was causing repeated system crashes — black screens instead of the more familiar blue screens. Thanks to Microsoft’s ecosystem integration, Copilot quickly identified the underlying issues and provided detailed analysis. With that help, I was able to stop my laptop from pushing unwanted driver updates that had caused problems in the past, especially after my original warranty had expired.

In this article, I’ll share my experience using Microsoft Edge and explain how I strengthened my privacy with two key extensions: uBlock Origin and Privacy Badger. I’ll also compare Edge’s privacy protections with those offered by Chrome and Firefox. Finally, I’ll discuss why I occasionally needed to disable these extensions when accessing certain Korean booking sites.

Benefits of Microsoft’s Ecosystem Integration

My recent work fixing a faulty Lenovo driver and blocking unwanted post‑warranty driver updates shows how effective Microsoft’s integrated ecosystem can be in real-world troubleshooting. The points below outline the key advantages of using this ecosystem.

1. Seamless, Context‑Aware Assistance  
• Copilot’s deep Windows integration lets it understand issues described in natural language and provide precise, step‑by‑step guidance (e.g., safely removing a crashing Lenovo driver).
2. Proactive Stability and Troubleshooting  
• Integration allows Copilot and Windows tools to suggest preventive actions before problems escalate.
3. Unified Access Across Apps  
• Copilot works consistently across Edge, the Windows desktop, and Microsoft 365—useful for quick research or documenting steps in apps like OneNote.
4. Lower Friction for Everyday Users  
• Complex tasks such as Device Manager changes or registry edits become approachable thanks to clear, sequential instructions and safety prompts.
5. Broader Ecosystem Benefits
1. Security & Compliance: Enterprise‑grade protections apply, especially in M365 environments.
2. Cost‑Effective: Uses existing Windows/Microsoft 365 subscriptions—no extra AI tools required.
3. Cross‑Device Consistency: Features sync across Windows devices via your Microsoft account.

Convenience vs. Privacy  

This integration is powerful, but it also ties you more closely to Microsoft’s services, including personalization data and occasional nudges toward Bing/Edge. If privacy is your priority, Firefox or manual configuration offers more independence. Copilot may also require permissions and won’t always handle rare driver edge cases, so it’s wise to double‑check its steps.

Data Privacy Comparison: Microsoft Edge vs. Mozilla Firefox vs. Google Chrome

All three browsers offer strong security features such as sandboxing, frequent updates, and strict HTTPS enforcement. Their privacy approaches, however, differ notably in data collection, default tracking protection, corporate incentives, and user control. Firefox typically provides the strongest privacy stance among mainstream browsers. Chrome ranks lowest due to Google’s advertising‑driven model, while Edge falls in between—stronger than Chrome in some respects but still closely integrated with Microsoft’s ecosystem.

Aspect	Google Chrome	Microsoft Edge	Mozilla Firefox
Engine & Independence	Chromium (Google-controlled)	Chromium (Microsoft-modified)	Gecko (independent, Mozilla-controlled)
Default Tracking Prevention	Basic (some third-party cookies blocked in Incognito; fingerprinting weak)	Stronger: Built-in levels (Basic / Balanced / Strict); blocks known harmful trackers, cryptominers, fingerprinting attempts	Excellent: Enhanced Tracking Protection (ETP) + Total Cookie Protection (isolates cookies per site); blocks social trackers, cryptominers, fingerprinting by default in Strict mode
Data Collection by Company	High: Extensive telemetry, sync data, history (if signed in), used for personalized ads/search across Google services	Medium: Browsing history (up to 180 days if personalization on), optional diagnostic data, tied to Microsoft account/services (Bing, Copilot, ads)	Low: Minimal telemetry; no browsing history sent to Mozilla by default; focuses on crash reports (optional) and aggregated usage stats
Corporate Incentive	Advertising (Google earns from targeted ads)	Ecosystem lock-in (Microsoft 365, Bing, Copilot AI)	Non-profit mission (privacy & open web); no ad revenue model
Open-Source	Mostly (Chromium base), but Google adds proprietary bits	Mostly (Chromium base)	Fully open-source
Key Privacy Features	- Incognito mode - Some cookie phasing out - Safety Check	- Tracking prevention levels - InPrivate mode - Optional diagnostic data toggle - Better fingerprinting resistance than Chrome in some tests	- Total Cookie Protection - Strict ETP - Fingerprinting resistance - AI features fully opt-in (with master "Block AI" switch in v148+)
Telemetry / Diagnostic Data	High by default; hard to fully disable	Optional (toggle for "optional diagnostic data"); can minimize	Very limited & transparent; easy to disable
Extension Ecosystem Impact	Manifest V3 limits powerful ad blockers (uBlock Origin → Lite only)	Still supports full uBlock Origin (Manifest V2 delay); future uncertain	Full support for powerful blockers (no Manifest V3 restrictions yet)
Overall Privacy Score (2025–2026 Reviews)	Lowest (0 in some privacy feature audits)	Middle (better defaults than Chrome, but ecosystem ties)	Highest among mainstream (frequently top-ranked or close to Brave/Tor)

Privacy Protection Tools

During my move from Chrome to Edge, AI recommended two trusted privacy tools: uBlock Origin and Privacy Badger. Both remain highly reputable in 2026 and are widely endorsed by the privacy community and independent reviewers such as PCMag, Wirecutter (NYT), Consumer Reports, Cybernews, and many security experts.

• uBlock Origin: It is one of the most effective and trusted ad‑blocking and privacy extensions, consistently praised for its power, efficiency, and open‑source transparency. It blocks ads, trackers, and malicious domains with high reliability, though Chrome users may need the Lite version due to Manifest V3 limits.
• Privacy Badger: It was created by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, automatically learns to block hidden trackers and is widely respected for its strong privacy‑first design. It focuses on tracker blocking rather than full ad blocking, and while Chrome’s restrictions limit some features, it remains highly effective on Firefox and Edge.

If you use any of the three major browsers, adding uBlock Origin—and optionally Privacy Badger for extra tracker protection—is one of the most effective privacy upgrades you can make.

Caveats of Privacy Protection Tools

Before my trip to Korea, I tried purchasing tickets online—such as the Nanta Cooking Show and KTX bullet train—and repeatedly ran into issues at the payment stage. After entering my credit card details, the transaction would pass my bank’s approval but then fail silently when redirected back to the booking site. After some confusion, I mentioned my privacy extensions and was advised to disable them temporarily. Once I did, the payment went through without problems. The takeaway is that South Korea’s strict anti‑fraud systems can conflict with privacy tools, so you may need to turn them off briefly to ensure smooth online payments.