Managing my productivity on the Edge browser was a challenge, with numerous tabs, various social media accounts, and constant updates from news feeds vying for my attention. However, I found a way to address these distractions without relying on any browser extensions.
1. Use a Separate Profile for Work
Many users, myself included, typically operate a single browser profile for both personal and professional tasks, resulting in a chaotic mix of distractions. My bookmarks bar filled with YouTube links next to work tools, while typing in my time-tracking app triggered autocomplete suggestions for social media sites.
The most transformative change I’ve implemented in Edge is creating distinct profiles. My work profile is dedicated solely to professional bookmarks, accounts, and extensions, including only the essential tools for my tasks.
To set up a new profile in Edge, simply click the profile icon in the upper right corner, select Set up a new personal profile, and choose between signing in with a Microsoft account or proceeding without one. For clarity, I recommend naming it something straightforward, like Work, and opting for a distinct theme color—I’ve chosen blue for my work profile and retained the default for personal use.
Each profile keeps its browsing history, cookies, saved passwords, and extensions separate. Using my work profile means only relevant autocomplete suggestions appear, and my extension toolbar is filled only with productivity-oriented tools. The consistent environment encourages a focused mindset, eliminating the temptation to check personal accounts or shop online.
2. Remove Distractions from the Start Page
While I prefer Edge over Chrome for several reasons, one downside is that Edge presents a news feed by default, featuring articles designed to capture attention. One moment you intend to review a document, and the next, you find yourself engrossed in celebrity gossip or political controversies.
Even seemingly innocuous features, like the weather widget, can draw you into an exploration of unrelated topics, leading to significant distractions.
Fortunately, there’s a straightforward way to tackle this issue in Edge:
- Click the gear icon at the top right of any new tab to access Page settings.
- Scroll down and switch off Show feed.
- While in the settings, refine your Quick Links section by removing distracting sites like Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube. Click the three-dot menu next to each and select Remove.
These simple adjustments can lead to a significant increase in your productivity!
3. Manage Notifications to Avoid Triggers
Similar to mobile applications, many websites request access to send notifications about updates. News platforms, e-commerce sites, and social media networks all vie for your attention with perpetual alerts.
These notifications can disrupt your concentration, turning an important task into a cycle of distractions, with each ping potentially costing you 20 minutes of focus. Even if you ignore them, they fragment your attention and halt your flow state.
To minimize these disruptions, consider disabling browser notifications entirely:
- Click the three-dot menu in Edge and select Settings.
- Go to Privacy, search, and services > Site permissions.
- Click on All permissions and select Notifications.
- Switch off Ask before sending to automatically block all notification requests.
If you need notifications from specific work-related tools, such as Slack, you can permit exceptions. However, be very selective with what notifications you allow, as even one can disrupt your focus and lead to hours of lost concentration.
4. Utilize the Immersive Reader to Eliminate Distractions
Even the most reputable websites can create distractions while you’re researching for work. Sidebars promoting articles, newsletter pop-ups, and auto-playing videos can easily divert your attention.
The Immersive Reader feature in Edge addresses this by transforming crowded web pages into streamlined, e-reader-style documents. When available, simply click the book icon in the address bar or press F9 to activate it quickly.
The Immersive Reader toolbar enables you to adjust text sizes, toggle between light and dark themes, and access reading tools like part-of-speech highlighting or word segmentation.
While the Read Aloud feature may not be for everyone, it can assist in multitasking as it reads articles aloud while you jot down notes or perform related activities. You can also adjust the reading speed and select different voices to maintain engagement over extended research durations.
5. Block Time-Wasting Websites
Despite my best intentions, I often find myself reverting to familiar habits, typing in sites like Twitter without a second thought. For others, it could be Reddit, YouTube, or Instagram that distracts them during mundane tasks.
While browser extensions can block these time sinks, they can be easily bypassed by users. To establish a more foolproof solution, I edited my computer’s hosts file to lead these unproductive domains to an inaccessible location. Here’s how:
- Click Start, search for Notepad, right-click it, and select Run as administrator.
- Navigate to File > Open, and go to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc.
- Change the file type dropdown from Text Documents to All Files.
- Select the hosts file and click Open.
- Add the websites you wish to block as follows:
127.0.0.1 twitter.com 127.0.0.1 www.twitter.com 127.0.0.1 reddit.com 127.0.0.1 www.reddit.com - Finally, click File > Save.
After applying this change, any attempt to visit these sites will result in a This site can’t be reached error. This method is inconvenient enough to deter casual browsing while remaining easily reversible when access is genuinely needed.
Since implementing these adjustments, I have significantly reduced my procrastination. Although the journey toward full productivity continues with its ups and downs, I’ve seen a remarkable increase in my efficiency, allowing me to complete tasks on time and enjoy restful evenings without guilt.
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