Question 1

What does Link Sanitizer remove?

Accepted Answer

It removes query parameters that match your enabled tracking groups or custom parameter list. Everything else in the URL stays put.

Question 2

What are tracking parameters, anyway?

Accepted Answer

Bits of text tacked onto a URL after the question mark that tell whoever sent you the link where you came from, what you clicked, and sometimes who you are. Marketers love them. Link Sanitizer strips the ones you don't want along for the ride.

Question 3

Will this break the link or send me somewhere else?

Accepted Answer

Usually not, but removing query parameters can occasionally affect links that use them for navigation, authentication, purchases, or signatures. If a site stops working as expected, disable the relevant group or add the site to the Allowlist with Allow Privacy Features enabled.

Question 4

Does Link Sanitizer change the page path or hash?

Accepted Answer

No. It only cleans matching query parameters after the question mark. The path and hash are left alone.

Question 5

Is Link Sanitizer on by default?

Accepted Answer

Yes. It is on by default. Turn it off yourself in the Windscribe Browser Extension, under Privacy.

Question 6

I also have uBlock Origin Lite from the store. Will that still clean links?

Accepted Answer

Yes. That other extension can still remove tracking parameters. Link Sanitizer cannot turn those rules off. Turn that other extension off if you want Link Sanitizer to be the only cleaner.

Question 7

Does this stop websites from tracking me completely?

Accepted Answer

No. Link Sanitizer only cleans tracking parameters out of URLs. It won't stop cookies, fingerprinting, or anything happening after the page loads, that's a different job and a different set of tools.

Question 8

Can I remove a parameter that's not in a built-in group?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Add its exact name under Custom Parameters. Link Sanitizer matches full parameter names, not partial ones, so type it exactly as it appears.

Question 9

Can I turn off cleaning for a specific site?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Add the site to the Allowlist and enable Allow Privacy Features for it. Enable Apply to all subdomains if the exception should also cover its subdomains.

Question 10

Will this mess with affiliate or referral links I actually want to use?

Accepted Answer

If a tracking group includes affiliate parameters, enabling it will strip them, including ones you meant to keep. Turn off that group, or allowlist the site, if you need affiliate links to stay intact.

Question 11

Is Link Sanitizer part of the VPN, or something separate?

Accepted Answer

It's a separate Privacy Feature inside the Windscribe Browser Extension, not part of the VPN tunnel itself. You can use it with or without an active VPN connection.

Question 12

Do I need to configure anything before it works?

Accepted Answer

No. It is on, and all built-in tracking groups are selected. You can turn groups off or add comma-separated custom parameter names.

Link Sanitizer

Часто задаваемые вопросы

Что удаляет Link Sanitizer?

Что вообще такое параметры отслеживания?

Сломается ли из-за этого ссылка или она приведёт меня куда-то ещё?

Изменяет ли Link Sanitizer путь страницы или хеш?

Включён ли Link Sanitizer по умолчанию?

У меня также установлено uBlock Origin Lite из магазина. Оно всё равно будет очищать ссылки?

Перестанут ли сайты полностью отслеживать меня?

Можно ли удалить параметр, которого нет ни в одной встроенной группе?

Можно ли отключить очистку для определённого сайта?

Не повлияет ли это на партнёрские или реферальные ссылки, которыми я действительно хочу воспользоваться?

Link Sanitizer — это часть VPN или отдельная функция?

Нужно ли что-то настроить, прежде чем он заработает?