Microsoft Edge’s built-in VPN, known as Secure Network, has been silently upgraded and now has a 5GB free monthly quota. The feature, launched in 2022, originally had a 1GB monthly quota.
Microsoft is yet to make a public announcement about the upgrade. Twitter user Leopeva64 spotted an update to the Secure Network support article, indicating that the CloudFlare-powered VPN service now has a 5GB monthly limit.
“Microsoft has quietly updated the “Edge Secure Network” (VPN) support page,” Leopeva64 tweeted on Thursday.
Like other Microsoft tools, such as the Bing AI chatbot, users must sign in with a Microsoft account to use Edge’s free VPN.
5GB of Free VPN Traffic
The upgrade to 5GB is significant for Edge users as it eases the constraints on the service. Now, users can route more traffic through Secure Network.
Like traditional VPN apps, Edge’s Secure Network VPN encrypts users’ traffic and routes it through a secure network, keeping it safe from third parties like hackers and internet service providers (ISPs).
It’s not uncommon for free VPNs to have a data cap. However, Edge’s free VPN is designed to conserve data bandwidth by automatically activating when users visit an insecure site or connect to public Wi-Fi.
“To conserve your allocated VPN data bandwidth, content streaming sites such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and more, won’t be routed through the Secure Network VPN service,” Microsoft explains on its support page.
Microsoft Edge is not the only browser with a built-in VPN. Other browsers, including Mozilla Firefox, Brave, and Opera, also offer a similar feature. Read our guide to the best browsers with a built-in VPN to discover the pros and cons of each service.
How to Use Edge’s Free VPN
Follow the steps below to use Edge’s Secure Network on Windows (the steps may vary depending on the operating system you’re using):
- Open the Edge browser and select “Settings and more” > “Privacy, search, and services.”
- Under “Security,” click “Turn on Microsoft Edge Secure Network.”
- If you are not signed into your Microsoft Account, you will be prompted to sign in or create one.
Users can also do this via Edge’s “Browser essentials” setting. Once Secure Network is activated, a solid shield icon will appear in the browser frame, indicating that your browsing traffic is now protected. The feature will turn off automatically when you close Microsoft Edge. You must turn on Microsoft Edge Secure Network again for your next browsing session if you wish to use it.
You can check your data usage by clicking on the shield icon. This will show you how much data you have used for that month.
