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.

0 comments No comments

107 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Anonymous
    2024-01-22T17:04:26+00:00

    If you can send me how you did this with router settings i would be very thankful

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2024-01-22T17:03:10+00:00

    There is no option, and it states that my country requires a strict Bing SafeSearch setting.

    The Bing safesearch function is a Microsoft problem.

    1. Continue to use Microsoft Windows, and use a non-Microsoft web browser.
    2. Switch to a non-Windows Operating System (O/S), and use Microsoft Edge.
    3. Switch to a non-Windows O/S and switch to a non-Microsoft browser.

    Only Microsoft has the country/nation/region/location restrictions.

    Microsoft's competitors allow you the freedom to do what you want.


    I am a large fan of Bing, mainly because of Rewards, but since i can't use Bing AI or search freely while i can't change this setting, i might actually quit and do like you said

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2024-01-04T20:21:45+00:00

    "Same problem" meaning the strict situation, or you also have a synology router and the safe access was what was blocking it?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2023-12-22T14:58:55+00:00

    I finally found the problem. My Synology Router had a Safe Access application that allowed specifying which search engines would be blocked. I turned it off for all search engines and now safesearch isn't strict blocking. The odd thing was that the option to turn those on and off was somewhat hidden. You could get to the place that should have shown the blockage 2 different ways. One seemed to not show it (that was where I was looking originally) and another way that I stumbled into and DID show the blockage. I'm still experimenting with the router settings, but at least I managed to figure out what was going on.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  5. Anonymous
    2023-12-12T23:17:09+00:00

    I've tried all those other browsers. Didn't make a difference.

    No to all the questions.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments