Microsoft integrates a free VPN service into Edge that can be used immediately. advantages and weaknesses. Plus: Other VPN services can do this better.
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VPN with Microsoft Edge: Surf safely for free – but with restrictions
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Microsoft Edge Secure Network: Free VPN directly in the browser
Microsoft integrates a free VPN service into the Edge browser under the name Microsoft Edge Secure Network, which does not require any installation or external services. The VPN is provided by the company Cloudflare. When using the service, Cloudflare collects diagnostic data, which it says is automatically deleted after 25 hours.
Conclusion: Edge VPN is useful, but does not replace a full-fledged VPN solution
Microsoft is taking a step in the right direction by integrating a VPN into the Edge browser. But a fully-fledged VPN solution does not replace that. If you want to use a secure Internet connection via VPN extensively, for example for video streaming, then you cannot avoid additional software such as Cyberghost VPN.
To the offer Cyberghost VPN for 2.11 euros per month
More information on VPNs:
Free VPN services are rarely built into browsers. Extensions are required in Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome, which often also have to be licensed and configured separately from the browser. Unlike Opera, which offers an in-browser VPN that’s more flexible to configure than Microsoft Edge’s VPN.
VPN not yet available in all Edge versions
The button for the Microsoft Edge Secure Network is not yet active for all users. Microsoft is gradually unlocking them, in Canaray and in the stable version. Our test is based on the stable version. Here Microsoft gives an overview of all variants of Edge.
Microsoft account is required to use Microsoft Edge
To use the VPN service, however, you must log in to the browser with a free Microsoft account. After signing in with the Microsoft account, Edge automatically syncs settings, favorites, history, and extensions to the account so that these features and data are also available on other devices. You can also synchronize the content of forms, as well as passwords, open tabs and collections. However, this synchronization can be switched off again at any time after activation, it is not a mandatory requirement for using the Edge VPN – logging in with the Microsoft account, on the other hand, is mandatory.
The Edge VPN is called “Secure Microsoft Edge Network” on German computers. The service allows you to surf the Internet safely and anonymously. The VPN also protects HTTP sites without encryption. Once activated, you are also safe from online trackers, as this feature encrypts the data as soon as you exit the browser.
The Edge VPN also hides the IP address. You can easily test this yourself by going to the What is my IP address? display your IP address. After that, enable Edge VPN and refresh the What is my IP address? page. , a new, virtual IP address appears. Your real address is then no longer visible.
When using the service, once activated, the function encrypts all data traffic to the Internet. However, Microsoft is currently limiting the maximum data volume that can run over this VPN connection to 1 GB per month. Therefore, in most cases, you cannot use this function permanently. We show the secure Microsoft Edge network aka VPN in practice.
Enable secure Microsoft Edge network: Use VPN in practice
In order to use the secure Microsoft Edge network as a VPN, you must first display the necessary button. You can find this via the menu with the three dots at the top right and after selecting “Settings”. Under “Display” you can activate the “Secure network (VPN) button” function. As a result, a new icon that looks like a protective shield can be seen in the upper right corner of the browser. If you move the mouse over the icon, Microsoft Edge will display information.
You can activate the secure Microsoft Edge network via the new icon in the top right or with the “Secure network” menu item that appears via the menu with the three dots in the top right. To do this, click on the shield.
By selecting “Try Now” the browser activates the secure network. You can recognize this by the fact that the protective shield turns black and has a green icon with a tick. If you move the mouse over the icon, you will see the information “The secure Microsoft Edge network is connected”. Nothing else needs to be done to use this function. The next time you click on the icon, Microsoft Edge immediately displays the window for activating the VPN.
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The secure Microsoft Edge network is successfully connected.
Manage and test Microsoft Edge VPN
If you click on the icon after activating the function, the Edge VPN configuration window will open. No further settings can currently be adjusted here. That will probably change over time. However, you can disconnect from the VPN at this point and thus save the data volume that is available to you free of charge. You can also see the data volume already used for this month and how much free volume is still available to you this month. You can also reactivate the VPN here at any time.
If you move to the edge of the limit, the Microsoft Edge will show you in more detail with a yellow or red mark in the management of the Edge VPN. With the red warning, no more data volume is available. You will also be informed when the data volume will be reset. If you reach the limit, you won’t be able to use the feature again until the reset date is reached. It is currently not possible to receive or buy data volume early. Whether that will change over time is unclear. In most cases, the available data volume is currently not sufficient for permanent surfing.
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Manage the secure Edge VPN in Microsoft Edge and manually disconnect again.
When you close Microsoft Edge, the browser also automatically terminates the VPN connection. You must therefore reactivate this connection every time you start it.
Does Edge VPN eliminate the need for external VPNs? What can solutions like Cyberghost do better?
Edge VPN is a useful tool that you can use to secure a browsing session or two. Therefore, Microsoft Edge Secure Network can occasionally be used as a replacement for other VPN solutions. However, there are three points in particular where the VPN in Edge is less useful and alternative solutions can therefore still be used in any case.
First limitation: limited data volume.
If, for example, you want to send more data via the VPN because you use streaming offers from overseas and want to watch series and films that are not available to users from Germany, the maximum data volume of 1 GB is quickly exhausted or insufficient.
Missing configuration option.
In addition, there is currently no option to configure the VPN. For example, you cannot specify from which country the VPN should identify your computer.
You can only use Edge VPN within Microsoft Edge.
Other programs on the PC, for example other browsers or apps from streaming providers, the e-mail program, torrent software and other solutions do not benefit from this. Again, external solutions like Cyberghost are better suited. You can read more about this here: Why you should definitely use a VPN service.
Tip
: Cyberghost VPN is now over 400 euros cheaper with a 3-year subscription.
To the offer Cyberghost VPN for 2.11 euros per month
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These additional VPN solutions then also work on Linux, macOS, Android and on devices such as Amazon Fire TV. Using Cyberghost as an example, only one subscription is required to be able to connect up to 7 devices.
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