Microsoft Edge’s new tab page tries to be useful, but it often ends up feeling cluttered. One of the more noticeable additions is sponsored quick links, which show promoted sites alongside your frequently visited pages.
If you prefer a cleaner, distraction-free new tab experience, turning these off is one of the first things you should do.
What Are Sponsored Quick Links?
In Microsoft Edge, sponsored quick links are promoted tiles that appear on the new tab page.
They look similar to your regular quick links, but they’re essentially ads or suggestions inserted by Microsoft.
They don’t affect performance, but they do affect how clean and personal your browser feels.
How to Disable Sponsored Quick Links
The setting is easy to miss, but once you know where to look, it takes less than a minute.
Open a new tab in Edge
Click the gear icon (Page settings) in the top-right corner
From here:
- Set layout to Custom (if not already selected)
- Find Quick links settings
- Turn off Show sponsored links
The change applies immediately. You don’t need to restart the browser.
What Changes After You Disable Them
Once disabled, your new tab page becomes more predictable.
You’ll only see:
- Your own frequently visited sites
- Manually added shortcuts
No promoted content, no suggested links.
It feels closer to a personal workspace instead of a curated feed.
Why This Setting Exists in the First Place
Microsoft includes sponsored links as part of its broader strategy to monetize the browser experience.
It’s not unusual. Most modern browsers experiment with some form of recommendations or sponsored content.
The issue isn’t their existence. It’s that they’re enabled by default, which makes the interface feel less user-controlled.
Real-World Usage: Is It Worth Turning Off?
For most users, yes.
Sponsored links don’t add much value, especially if you already know the sites you want to visit.
Removing them simplifies the interface and reduces visual noise.
If you rely on Edge as a daily browser, small changes like this make a noticeable difference over time.
Limitations You Should Know
Disabling sponsored links doesn’t remove all content from the new tab page.
You may still see:
- News feeds
- Microsoft services and suggestions
- Background personalization
To fully clean up the page, you may need to adjust additional settings.
Optional: Make the New Tab Page Minimal
If you want a cleaner setup overall:
Set layout to Focused or Custom
Turn off content or news feed
Keep only quick links enabled
This creates a simple, fast-loading new tab page without distractions.
Final Thoughts
Sponsored quick links in Edge aren’t intrusive, but they don’t add much either.
Disabling them is a small change that improves the browsing experience, especially if you prefer a clean interface.
It’s one of those settings that’s worth adjusting once and then forgetting about.
FAQs
What are sponsored quick links in Edge?
They are promoted website tiles shown on the new tab page.
Do they affect browser performance?
No, they only affect the interface.
Can I remove them completely?
Yes, by turning off the “Show sponsored links” option.
Will this remove my own quick links?
No, your personal shortcuts remain.
Is this setting available on all versions of Edge?
Yes, though the exact location may vary slightly by version.
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