Microsoft Edge reintroduces Secure Network button, latest Canary test reveals

Microsoft is bringing back the “Secure Network” button to the Edge toolbar in its Canary build, the browser’s experimental channel.

As spotted by browser’s digger @Leopeva64 on X, Microsoft is now reversing a change made nearly two years ago when the feature was removed and its options were integrated into the “Browser Essentials” hub.

Here’s what it looks like, and it’s still super early, so it doesn’t yet look like how it was:

This shift marks a return to the previous interface, which separated the VPN functionality from the broader browser settings. The change follows earlier updates from mid-2023, including the addition of features like “Protected Traffic” and “Secured Wi-Fi” to the VPN dialog.

Edge’s Secure Network was first tested back in 2022. The feature lets you securely browse public Wi-Fi networks by encrypting data and masking your IP address through a partnership with Cloudflare. It prevents ISPs from collecting browsing data and reduces the risk of targeted ads.

Though, at that time, Microsoft only gave users a small amount of free bandwidth to test it.

“Whenever Secure Network is connected, your browsing traffic will be encrypted and routed through our service’s servers and then to its final destination,” Microsoft describes.

“This helps ensure that your personal data will be more secure no matter what complicated route your browsing data takes or how many parties are involved in providing the content inside your favorite web page,” it continues.

Still, in Edge-related developments, Edge on Android is integrating LLM-powered AI for autofill. Other than that, Copilot on Edge has also introduced a shareable link feature for AI chats, which lets you easily share conversations.