Enable ActiveX Filtering & Tracking Protection?

ActiveX Filtering and Tracking Protection are two separate security features in older versions of Microsoft Edge (and Internet Explorer) that block potentially dangerous browser add-ons and limit how websites track your activity. You enable them in Windows Settings or the browser’s privacy menu, but the exact steps depend on your Windows version and browser. This article explains what each feature does, how to turn them on, and what to do when a site stops working.

Background: Why These Features Exist

ActiveX was a technology Microsoft introduced in the 1990s that let websites run small programs (controls) inside Internet Explorer. Many legitimate sites used it for video players, document viewers, and interactive content, but attackers also abused it to install malware. ActiveX Filtering is a safety net that blocks these controls from running unless you explicitly allow them for a specific site.

Tracking Protection, on the other hand, is a privacy tool. It uses a list of known tracking domains and prevents your browser from sending requests to them. This reduces the data companies can collect about your browsing habits, but it can also break parts of pages that rely on those trackers, like embedded videos or social media buttons.

Both features were most prominent in Internet Explorer 9 through 11 and the original (legacy) version of Microsoft Edge. Modern Edge is built on Chromium and does not support ActiveX at all; it handles tracking with a separate “Tracking Prevention” feature.

How ActiveX Filtering Works

When ActiveX Filtering is on, your browser does not run any ActiveX controls by default. Instead, it shows a placeholder or a prompt. You can then choose to allow the control for that one visit or for the entire site. The browser remembers your choice and applies it next time you visit.

To enable it in Internet Explorer:

• Open Internet Explorer.
• Click the gear icon (Settings) and select “Safety”.
• Click “ActiveX Filtering” to toggle it on (a checkmark appears).
• When a page uses an ActiveX control, click the blue icon in the address bar and choose “Allow” to run it.

In legacy Edge (the version that came with Windows 10 before 2020), ActiveX was not supported at all, so there is no setting for it. If you need ActiveX for an old business site, you must use Internet Explorer mode in modern Edge or a dedicated legacy browser.

How Tracking Protection Works

Tracking Protection uses a list of domains that are known to track users. When you visit a site, your browser checks each request against that list and blocks the ones that match. The lists are maintained by Microsoft and are updated periodically.

To enable Tracking Protection in Internet Explorer:

1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. Click the gear icon and select “Safety”.
3. Click “Tracking Protection” and then “Enable”.
4. Choose a list from the “Personalized” or “Basic” options, or add your own.

In legacy Edge, the setting was under Settings > Privacy & Security. You could turn on “Block trackers” and choose between “Balanced” (blocks most trackers but allows some that are needed for functionality) and “Strict” (blocks more, but may break sites).

How to Choose Your Settings

There is no single “best” setting; it depends on your needs.

• If you visit only modern, well-coded sites: Turn on both features. You will rarely notice a difference, and you get extra security and privacy.
• If you use old business or banking sites: ActiveX Filtering may break them. Keep it off for those specific sites, or use Internet Explorer mode in Edge.
• If you rely on embedded content (videos, maps, social feeds): Tracking Protection may block the third-party services that power those widgets. Start with “Balanced” and only switch to “Strict” if you are comfortable with occasional breakage.

Common Problems and Fixes

Site says “This content requires ActiveX” but nothing happens. This usually means ActiveX Filtering is on and you did not click the allow prompt. Look for a small blue shield or puzzle icon in the address bar, click it, and choose “Allow”.

Videos or login buttons do not work after enabling Tracking Protection. The tracker list may be blocking a legitimate service. Try adding the site to your “Allow” list, or temporarily turn off Tracking Protection to see if that fixes the issue.

You cannot find the settings in modern Edge. Modern Edge does not have ActiveX Filtering at all. For Tracking Prevention, go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services, and look for “Tracking prevention”. Choose “Basic” to block only the most harmful trackers, or “Strict” for maximum privacy.

ActiveX vs. Modern Web Standards

ActiveX is obsolete. Modern browsers use HTML5, JavaScript, and WebAssembly for the same tasks that once required ActiveX. These technologies are sandboxed, meaning they cannot directly access your operating system, which makes them far safer. Microsoft itself has said that ActiveX is deprecated and recommends that users move to modern standards.

If you are a developer maintaining a site that still uses ActiveX, you should plan to replace it with a cross-browser solution. There are no new security updates for ActiveX, and it is a major vector for malware.

Costs and Limitations

Both features are free and built into Windows. There is no subscription or paid tier. The main “cost” is compatibility: some older sites will not work correctly, and you may see blank areas or error messages. You also lose some convenience because you have to manually approve controls or whitelist sites.

Tracking Protection is not a complete privacy solution. It only blocks domains on the list; it does not stop first-party tracking (the site you are visiting can still track you) or fingerprinting. For stronger privacy, consider using a dedicated ad blocker or a privacy-focused browser.

Alternatives to These Features

If you are using a modern browser, you have better options:

• Modern Edge: Built-in Tracking Prevention with three levels (Basic, Balanced, Strict). It also has “InPrivate” mode and a “Strict” mode that blocks most trackers.
• Chrome or Firefox: Both have built-in “Do Not Track” requests (though many sites ignore them) and support extensions like uBlock Origin or Privacy Badger.
• Enterprise solutions: For companies, Windows Defender Application Control or AppLocker can block all untrusted software, including ActiveX controls, at the system level.

For ActiveX specifically, the only real alternative is to stop using it. If you must run legacy controls, use a virtual machine with an old browser and no network access, or use Internet Explorer mode in Edge (which is designed for enterprise compatibility).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ActiveX Filtering the same as a firewall? No. A firewall controls network traffic, while ActiveX Filtering controls whether browser add-ons can run. They are complementary layers of defense.

Will enabling Tracking Protection slow down my browser? It can slightly reduce load time because fewer requests are made, but the difference is usually negligible. In rare cases, a site may wait for a blocked script to time out, which can make it feel slower.

How do I allow a specific site to use ActiveX? When you visit the site, click the blue shield icon in the address bar, then click “Allow”. You can also go to Tools > Safety > ActiveX Filtering and uncheck the site from the list of filtered sites.

Does Tracking Protection stop all ads? No. It only blocks trackers that are on Microsoft’s list. Many ads are not trackers, and some trackers are not on the list. To block all ads, you need a dedicated ad blocker.

Can I use these features on Windows 11? Internet Explorer is not available on Windows 11, and legacy Edge is gone. Use modern Edge’s Tracking Prevention instead. ActiveX is not supported on Windows 11.

Why do I still see a prompt for ActiveX even though I enabled filtering? That is the intended behavior. Filtering does not silently block; it asks you to decide. If you do not want prompts, you can disable filtering entirely, but that is not recommended.

Related

• Restore 0 Byte Files? Fixes That Work
• How to Install Pixel 4 Launcher on Older Pixel Phones
• Brother MFC-J6540DW Clear a Jam Warning When No Paper Is Visible