How to get Edge out of a Browlock loop

[Metallica]

Please note that the fix below was written explicitly for Windows 10 and Edge. If it helps in any other cases that is pure coincidence.

The problem

Edge is caught in a loop caused by a "Browlock" type of site or some other site that keeps you from accessing your settings or from closing the tab that the offending site is under. The loop is caused by Edge settings to open with the same tabs as you stopped with the last time (Previous pages).

 

example of a "Browlock" site

A workaround

Please do the following:

Open notepad (Windows key + R > type "notepad" > click "OK")

In the resulting windows copy & past all the text in the box below (including "Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00")

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\MicrosoftEdge\Recovery]"AutoRecover"=dword:00000002

Then save the file as a .reg file ( File > Save As... > behind "Save as type:" select "All Files (*.*)" > behind "File name" type "RecoverOn.reg" > select a location you can easily find like "Desktop"

Once you have done that find the file, it should look like this:

Doubleclick (or rightclick > Merge) that file and click "Yes", "Yes" and "OK" on these prompts:

Now start Task Manager (Windows key + R > type "taskmgr" > click "OK")

Select "Microsoft Edge" and click on the "End Task" button.

This will shut down Edge (this can take a few seconds)

Now if you run Edge again it will only open one tab with the "Welcome to your Edge Start page"

If you have had enough of Edge re-opening your previous pages you can leave this as it is now. Even though the setting is still in place, Edge will Always re-open with one tab.

If you want to repopulate the tabs and go back to how it worked before we will have to disable the registry change we made.

This can be done like this:

Open notepad (Windows key + R > type "notepad" > click "OK")

In the resulting windows copy & past all the text in the box below (including "Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00")

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\MicrosoftEdge\Recovery]"AutoRecover"=dword:00000000

Save the file as a .reg file ( File > Save As... > behind "Save as type:" select "All Files (*.*)" > behind "File name" type "RecoverOff.reg" > select a location you can easily find like "Desktop"

You can download both of the registry files here. Unzip the files and use the RecoverOn.reg when facing the problem and the RecoverOff.reg afterwards if you want to continue using the "Previous Pages" option.

Once you have done that find the file and doubleclick (or rightclick > Merge) that file and click "Yes", "Yes" and "OK" on the prompts that will follow.

Now Edge will respond as you have selected in the Settings (click "..." more actions > Settings to enter the menu)

Just to be sure clear your cache when you are done.

Here's how:

Open the Edge browser and click on the three dots on the top right corner of the browser > look for the settings option.

Under Privacy > Clear browsing data, select Choose what to clear.

Select the Browsing history checkbox (and any other data that you want to clear), then select Clear.

Save yourself the hassle and get protected.