Bing safesearch stuck at "strict" on Edge

Anonymous
2022-02-16T09:34:31+00:00

Recently, I discovered that when I browse Bing using Edge on my desktop, SafeSearch appears to be fixed on "strict" when it was "off" previously.

When I attempt to change this setting, I see the following message with no options to change SafeSearch permissions:

"Your country or region requires a strict Bing SafeSearch setting, which filters out results that might return adult content."

I live in the US, so this is definitely incorrect. Using a VPN to switch countries does not allow me to change the setting.

I am able to change SafeSearch settings when using a different browser and/or using a different device and Edge, so the issue appears to be specific to my desktop and Edge. I am using a Windows 10 Education key that I bought almost 5 years ago.

How do I turn off SafeSearch when using Edge on my desktop?

Edit: Only solution was to move to a different Windows 10 version. Seems to be an issue with Windows 10 Education and usergroup policy. I'm not IT savvy enough to find out how to change that, so the nuclear option of downgrading to a different version of Windows 10 was my only option. Hope this helps others that have this issue.

Bing | Safety and privacy | Adult content and SafeSearch

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-08-20T10:16:32+00:00

    It doesn't work. I tried the method you provide but the SafeSearch still stuck as Strict.

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  2. Don Varnau 19,930 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2023-08-20T10:34:52+00:00

    It doesn't work. I tried the method you provide but the SafeSearch still stuck as Strict.

    Loay Apo Mahmood suggested that you search with google, not Bing. You should be

    able to turn off SafeSearch with google.

    https://www.google.com/safesearch

    Don

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-08-20T11:07:40+00:00

    It doesn't work. I tried the method you provide but the SafeSearch still stuck as Strict.

    Loay Apo Mahmood suggested that you search with google, not Bing. You should be

    able to turn off SafeSearch with google.

    https://www.google.com/safesearch

    Don

    Thank you Don. When I visit www.google.com/safesearch, it shows I have no right to adjust the setting. it needs me to verify something. Then I click the more information below, it shows a verification things, which need I to fill in the name, date of birth and phone number. The fact is I am Chinese and take a long vacation in South Korea, so I do not have local phone number, so could you please give me more hands, thanks in advance.

    Regards,

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-08-20T13:57:55+00:00

    I have narrowed this issue down to either the router or ISP.

    To fix:

    • Go to your computer Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi.
    • Look for Random hardware addresses and turn On.

    Image

    • Then go to Manage known networks.
    • Select the networks you use.
    • Find the same thing - Random hardware addresses and select On.
    • Make sure you disconnect and reconnect to your Wi-Fi after changing the settings.

    Image

    I had to do this both places for it to work.

    Hope that helps!

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  5. Don Varnau 19,930 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2023-08-20T23:09:59+00:00

    It doesn't work. I tried the method you provide but the SafeSearch still stuck as Strict.

    Loay Apo Mahmood suggested that you search with google, not Bing. You should be

    able to turn off SafeSearch with google.

    https://www.google.com/safesearch

    Don

    Thank you Don. When I visit www.google.com/safesearch, it shows I have no right to adjust the setting. it needs me to verify something. Then I click the more information below, it shows a verification things, which need I to fill in the name, date of birth and phone number. The fact is I am Chinese and take a long vacation in South Korea, so I do not have local phone number, so could you please give me more hands, thanks in advance.

    Regards,

    You can almost certainly give Google someone else's cell number, so long as that person can tell you, very quickly, what code Google sent.

    Only guessing... at https://myaccount.google.com/personal-info?hl=en does Google have one or more alternate email addresses for you? There may be a way to have a code sent to an alternate email address instead of a cell phone.

    Don

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