If you no longer want to use Microsoft Edge, here are step-by-step uninstall instructions.
Edge is Microsoft’s own browser and was used by an estimated 263 million people as of December 2023, which is about 4.97% of the world’s population. Although this pales in comparison to Google Chrome (3.45 billion users), it still significantly outperforms Mozilla’s Firefox (178 million users).
The browser’s unique selling point lies primarily in its speed, with Microsoft showcasing its lightweight structure. Not surprisingly, Edge plays well with Microsoft laptops and other products. As Microsoft expands into AI with the growth of Azure, more AI features have also been integrated into the browser.
Even though Microsoft Edge appears to be moderately popular, you may want to stop using it – especially given recent reports that the browser is siphoning data from Google Chrome. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to uninstall Microsoft Edge from your device.
Why can’t I uninstall Microsoft Edge?
If you are using a Windows system, you cannot uninstall Microsoft Edge. This is because, according to an official forum answer, Windows supports applications based on the web platform, which means that the default web browser (Edge) is an essential component of the operating system and therefore cannot be uninstalled.
However, that doesn’t mean you have to use it. You can easily download another browser of your choice and use it instead, but Edge must remain permanently on your device. While there are some unofficial ways to get around this and forcibly remove the browser from the system, security and performance updates often come through Edge, meaning Windows systems can become unstable after a while when Edge is no longer present . It could also cause problems with built-in programs like the Photos app, Media Player, and File Explorer when you use them.
How to uninstall Microsoft Edge
If you are not a Windows user, you can easily uninstall Edge since you decided to download it at some point and it is not a necessary part of your operating system.
Navigate to where you find all your apps on your device, or simply search your device for Microsoft Edge. Right-click Edge and click Uninstall. A confirmation prompt will appear and you need to click on the confirmation options. Microsoft Edge will then be uninstalled from your device.
If you ever want to reinstall Microsoft Edge, make sure you sign in to your Microsoft account in the browser and sync your data. This means that if you download the browser again, you can sign in to your Microsoft account and pick up where you left off with Edge.
How to remove Edge as your default browser
One way to stop using Microsoft Edge as a Windows user is to remove it as your default browser, even if you can’t completely remove it from your device. Before you begin, another browser must be installed. There are several browsers to choose from, with Google Chrome being the main competitor, DuckDuckGo offering privacy features, and Ecosia promising environmental initiatives.
Once you have your preferred browser downloaded and working, click the “Start” button and navigate to “Settings” from the main menu. Go to the “Apps” section, then “Default Apps” on the left, then “Web Browser.”
You should then see a list of available browsers, including your newly selected top choice. Click on that browser, make sure Edge is no longer selected, and then close Settings.
Now, when you click on links or anything else that automatically redirects you to your browser, you will go to your chosen browser and not Microsoft Edge. What this ultimately means is that you can stop using Edge altogether, even if the program stays in the background of your device for updating purposes.
How do I deactivate Microsoft Edge?
On some devices, despite moving away from Edge as the default browser, you may notice that it is running in the background. This may be due to updates or other work being done in the background. However, there is a way to stop this if it is taxing your CPU or affecting your device’s performance.
Open Microsoft Edge and go to the ellipsis (…) in the top right to open Settings and more. From here, go to “Systems and Performance,” scroll to “Run more background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed,” and turn it off.
Now when the browser is closed, it will no longer run in the background. However, this means that you may have to open it manually to keep your device performing. As mentioned above, many Windows OS updates and newer versions of apps require Edge to stay up to date. So if you notice problems with the Windows system, it might be worth opening Edge and checking for updates before troubleshooting other problems.
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