How to Change Proxy Settings in Edge (Step-by-Step)

Managing proxy settings in Microsoft Edge can help you improve browsing speed, secure your connection, or access content with regional restrictions. By default, Edge relies on your system’s proxy configuration, but you can also override this with advanced options if needed.

This guide walks you step by step through all available methods to change proxy settings in Edge.

Before you start

• Make sure you know the correct proxy server address and port.
• If you connect through a company network, confirm details with your IT team.
• Have administrator rights on your Windows device.

1. Change proxy settings via Windows Settings

The simplest way to adjust Edge’s proxy settings is through Windows’ built-in proxy menu.

1. Open Settings
   – Press Windows + I to launch the Settings app.
2. Go to Network settings
   – Select Network & Internet from the sidebar.
   – Click Proxy.
3. Enable automatic setup (optional)
   – Toggle Automatically detect settings to let Windows configure proxies automatically.
4. Set up a manual proxy
   – Under Manual proxy setup, toggle Use a proxy server.
   – Enter the server address and port.
5. Save changes
   – Click Save, then restart Edge.

👉 Once saved, Edge will route traffic through your chosen proxy server.

2. Change proxy settings with Control Panel

1. Open Control Panel
   – Type Control Panel in the Start menu and press Enter.
2. Navigate to Internet Options
   – Choose Network and Internet, then click Internet Options.
3. Open LAN settings
   – In the Connections tab, select LAN settings.
4. Enable proxy server
   – Check Use a proxy server for your LAN.
   – Enter the server address and port.
5. Confirm and exit
   – Press OK, then Apply.

This method provides more granular LAN and bypass configuration, especially helpful if you want to set how Edge handles certain addresses differently, as discussed in the guide to using a proxy server at home.

3. Change proxy settings using Command Prompt

1. Run Command Prompt as administrator
   – Right-click Start and select Windows Terminal (Admin).
2. Set a proxy
   – Run:
   netsh winhttp set proxy <server_address>:<port>
3. Verify settings
   – Run:
   netsh winhttp show proxy

This method works well for networking professionals. If you’re curious about the broader features that proxy services can offer, check out the detailed overview of key proxy features.

4. Configure proxy settings using Microsoft Edge command-line options

Microsoft Edge supports command-line flags that override Windows’ default proxy configuration. This is useful when you need custom rules independent of system settings.

How to apply them

1. Locate the Edge shortcut
   – Right-click the Microsoft Edge shortcut on your desktop.
   – Select Properties.
2. Modify the Target field
   – In the Target box, append your desired flag after msedge.exe.
   – Example:
   "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\msedge.exe" --proxy-server="proxy2:8080"
3. Apply and relaunch Edge
   – Click Apply → OK, then open Edge with this shortcut.

Common proxy flags

• --no-proxy-server → Disables proxy completely.
• --proxy-auto-detect → Attempts to auto-detect proxy settings.
• --proxy-server=<uri>:<port> → Sets a custom proxy for all traffic or protocol-specific mapping.
• --proxy-bypass-list=<hosts> → Skips proxy for specified domains/IPs.
• --proxy-pac-url=<pac-file-url> → Loads proxy rules from a PAC file.

These options give administrators maximum flexibility. They are especially useful in enterprise environments. For simpler setups, many users instead opt to control browsing traffic directly in Edge using virtual private networks or browser VPN extensions. See this Edge VPN extension overview for more insight.

5. Change proxy settings in Edge using extensions

1. Open Edge Extensions
   – Click the three dots (…) in the top-right corner.
   – Go to Extensions → Manage Extensions.
2. Install a proxy manager extension
   – Search the Edge Add-ons store for trusted proxy extensions.
3. Switch profiles easily
   – Use the extension interface to toggle between different proxies.

This method applies only inside Edge and will not affect system-wide apps.

6. Change proxy settings in Edge using VPN-centric proxy tools

If you prefer a unified, privacy-enhancing approach, consider implementing a proxy solution tailored for Edge. These tools often combine proxy routing with encryption, making them a strong alternative for users concerned about both access and security.

Comparison of proxy setup methods

Method	Difficulty	Scope	Best for
Windows Settings	Easy	System-wide	General users, quick setup
Control Panel (LAN settings)	Medium	System-wide	More granular LAN and proxy options
Command Prompt (netsh)	Advanced	System-wide	IT admins, automation
Edge Command-line flags	Advanced	Browser-only	Custom proxy rules, enterprise needs
Extensions	Easy	Browser-only	Quick switching, per-browser customization
VPN-centric tools for Edge	Easy	Browser-specific	Privacy-conscious users

FAQs

Conclusion

Changing proxy settings in Edge can be simple or advanced, depending on how granular you need control. From Windows menus to command-line flags, extensions, and VPN-style tools, there is a method for every level of technical comfort. For a broader walkthrough across devices, see this guide on how to change proxy settings. Choose what fits your needs: performance, flexibility, or privacy.

If you set up a proxy correctly but Edge still refuses to load websites while connected to a VPN, check out this troubleshooting guide on how to fix Edge not working with VPN. It explains conflicts between proxies, VPNs, and browser policies that can block access.