Microsoft Edge features a built-in tool called “Image Enhancement.” When enabled, the browser actively scans low-resolution images on the webpages you visit, sends them to Microsoft’s servers, and uses machine learning algorithms to artificially upscale, sharpen, and adjust the color balance of the images before rendering them on your screen.
While this can theoretically make ancient, pixelated websites look slightly better, it is highly controversial. It forces your browser to constantly communicate with Microsoft’s servers, consuming extra bandwidth and raising privacy concerns regarding the images you are viewing. Furthermore, for web developers and graphic designers, it is critical to see images exactly as they were uploaded, without a browser applying an arbitrary, artificial Instagram-style filter over them.
You can turn off this AI enhancement feature to ensure Edge renders images with strict 1:1 pixel accuracy.
How to Turn Off Image Enhancement in Edge
You can disable the algorithmic image processing within the Privacy settings.
- Open the Microsoft Edge browser.
- Click the three horizontal dots in the top-right corner.
- Select Settings from the drop-down menu.
- In the left-hand navigation sidebar, click on Privacy, search, and services.
- Scroll down almost to the very bottom of the page until you find the section labeled “Services.”
- Look for the toggle switch labeled Enhance images in Microsoft Edge.
- Turn this toggle to the Off position.
Microsoft Edge will immediately stop processing web images through its enhancement engine. Every photograph and graphic you view will now be displayed in its raw, original state, exactly as the website’s creator intended.