Microsoft Edge has recently made a significant upgrade to its built-in VPN feature. The VPN, known as Secure Network, now offers users a monthly data cap of 5GB, a substantial increase from the previous 1GB limit. This upgrade was quietly implemented by Microsoft without any public announcement, but it was discovered by Twitter user @Leopeva64 who noticed the update to the Secure Network support article.
“A Microsoft account is required to access Microsoft Edge Secure Network to track the amount of Secure Network data is used each month,” reads the support article. “This data is required to provide 5GB of free Microsoft Edge Secure Network service and calculate when the data limit has been reached. Your Microsoft account identity is never shared with the service provider (Cloudflare) when connecting to Secure Network.”
Furthermore, signing in with a Microsoft account enables synchronization of browsing data across all devices using Microsoft Edge. You can sync your “browsing history, favorites, settings, form fill data including addresses and more, passwords, extensions, open tabs, and collections.” You can also turn on or off each synced data type individually.
Enabling the Edge Secure Network VPN is a straightforward process. You simply need to open the Edge browser, click on the ellipses at the top-right corner of the window, select “Settings,” and then choose the “Privacy, Search, and Services” option. Under “Security,” you can enable the feature and start benefiting from the added protection it offers.
It’s important to note that Edge’s VPN is most effective for visiting unsecured HTTP websites or connecting to public Wi-Fi networks. If you require unlimited traffic or want to use a VPN for streaming services like Netflix or specific location browsing, a dedicated VPN service like ExpressVPN may be a more suitable option.
While Microsoft Edge is not the only browser with a built-in VPN (Firefox and Opera also offer a VPN), this upgrade enhances its competitiveness in the market. Users can now enjoy a more secure browsing experience with the expanded data cap offered by Secure Network.