how to uninstall Edge from the face of the Earth??

I will not be assimilated
Has anyone figured out how to completely disable Edge from their computer?

I looked around Google, and the tutorials you have here but don't see a way. I saw what sounded good for Win 10 here, but don't know that it would work for 11?

I use Firefox, and have been using it since Netscape disappeared

I have been using the Command Prompt Method in Windows 10 for ages and Now I use it on Windows 11 still works great.

Click on the Windows logo
Type ‘Command Prompt’ and you’ll see the app. Do a right-click on it and click on Run as Administrator
Copy and paste the following commands one after the other.
Replace xxx with the version of Microsoft Edge

cd "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\xxx\Installer
Enter
setup --uninstall --system-level --verbose-logging --force-uninstall
Enter

Reboot

Search for Edge in C Drive (make sure Edge is not running in the Task Manager) before deleting Folders

This sounds good @Wolfzz although I'm a little timid to actually try it. You've had no "ill" side-effects from doing it? What about when you update, do they try and install more Edge "stuff"? I know I shouldn't use that high-tech language

I'm just wondering how far-reaching the Microsoft tentacles are

Those commands remove Edge only partially, and if you want to remove all the remaining folders, you have to remove protected operating system files. Example: C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge

It is my understanding that if this is done, Windows Update Breaks, but I may be wrong.

Nobody said:

Those commands remove Edge only partially, and if you want to remove all the remaining folders, you have to remove protected operating system files. Example: C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge

Click to expand...

So the tentacles run deep, I figured as much. I would really like to use MSedgeredirect again, it worked great on Windows 10. I as able to install it, did a restart. I went to my bank site to check my new statement which is opened in an Edge browser, even though Firefox is my Default browser. But it's working for me when I use the "search" next to Windows 11 new Start Window. Links in my Google searches, and on other websites are using Firefox so I think I can live with that.

Josey Wales said:

It is my understanding that if this is done, Windows Update Breaks, but I may be wrong.

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That's exactly what I want to avoid. Haven't got a diagnosis on my PC that crashed yet, but I don't care to have that happen again so I am being super careful

Whilst you (Sumit) are correct that Microsoft Edge is utilized by several components of Windows 10/Windows 11, I beg to differ about it not running in the background. Widgets, for example, uses Microsoft Edge WebView2 which is separate from the core of Microsoft Edge and definitely runs in the background without basic user control. Thankfully, you can safely remove Widgets from Windows 11 if you wish and there are guides available to do so. It will leave Microsoft Edge installed but Widgets will be (almost) entirely removed. That includes the toggle and settings, taskbar icon, etc, although a few residue files might remain through the process. On my machine I have removed it because I have no use for it and therefore I don't need it on my system at all. Uninstalling Widgets more easily, as an optional feature module, is something Microsoft could work toward. I can always install it again through Microsoft Store if I change my mind and regardless it won't break Windows 11 or Microsoft Edge.

Removing Microsoft Edge on the other hand can lead to system instability as parts of Windows 10/Windows 11 rely on it to function. Whilst you can remove Microsoft Edge, it is a lot more work and I would not recommend you do so for previously stated reasons. Also, unlike Microsoft Edge Legacy (EdgeHTML-based) the new Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) is very good on Windows 10/Windows 11 with good standing on other platforms too. Simply unpin Microsoft Edge from the taskbar, ensure it doesn't start with Windows 10/Windows 11, nor stay running in the background, and then forget about it if you wish to use another browser. If you do use another, remember you won't be able to set the taskbar Search to your preferred search engine/browser without extensive modifications to Windows 10/Windows 11, all of which are not designed by Microsoft, and can put your system's stability and privacy at risk. You won't be able to get as deep integration with Windows either for say Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) as they don't have the same access Microsoft Edge does, neither were they designed to work deeper with Windows 10/Windows 11.

To conclude: You can safely remove Microsoft Edge WebView2 which, runs in the background, powering the 'Widgets' feature of Windows 11 but, whilst possible, it is not recommended to remove Microsoft Edge as it can cause more system issues that it's worth left dormant on your device.

Removing Edge

Thanks @Josey Wales, do you have info on the MSEdgeRedirect I'm using? As I mentioned above in #8 reply, it seems to be doing the same job as it did in 10.

Btw, I don't use the things you mentioned either, don't need them.

These are the folders I delete after running the command prompt

And it dosen't break windows, if anything with the next Cumulative Update it usually installs itself back so you have to do it all over again.

@Goldengirl52 - Like you I use Firefox as my default browser. I also use Vivaldi, and Brave browsers. I use Edge on rare occasions as a last resort when websites are problematic with my other browsers. I say this to put into context what I say next: -

Edge is brilliant for viewing pdf files and has the ability to 'Highlight' text, 'Write text' and 'Draw' lines, circles (whatever) on the pdf file. You can 'Erase' mistakes. This is the only reason I use Edge.

By all means use other browsers but do not tinker with Edge. Leave it alone. It may come in handy for the reasons I mention.

Is Edge causing problems or eating up a lot of system resources? If not, like @Josey Wales and @wiganken, I'd leave well enough be and just use the browser of your choice.

Goldengirl52 said:

Has anyone figured out how to completely disable Edge from their computer?

Click to expand...

I would recommend Revo Uninstaller Pro - either the free or paid version.

This app will uninstall anything and, if you select the right option, it cleans out all the dross afterwards.

jvickers said:

Is Edge causing problems or eating up a lot of system resources? If not, like @Josey Wales and @wiganken, I'd leave well enough be and just use the browser of your choice.

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100% agree, JV.

From what I have read, attempting to completely remove Edge, may cause issues.


Personally, I use it. But even if not, I would not attempt to remove it.

Agree with the sentiment that you are probably just better off leaving Edge alone and simply choosing to not use it. I don't see the real value in going out of your way to remove it. You don't get back any system performance and disk space usage is going to be very small.

Occasionally, it's nice to have a secondary browser available to test something. And I use Edge regularly when a site complains that I am using an ad-blocker in my primary browser (Chrome). I just grab the URL and paste into Edge, read what I want to read and then go back to Chrome.

Wolfzz said:

These are the folders I delete after running the command prompt

And it dosen't break windows, if anything with the next Cumulative Update it usually installs itself back so you have to do it all over again.

Click to expand...

I will consider it but I like, right now, how MSEdgeRedirect is working. I will make a not of your instructions as I might want to try it :)

Goldengirl52 said:

Thanks @Josey Wales, do you have info on the MSEdgeRedirect I'm using? As I mentioned above in #8 reply, it seems to be doing the same job as it did in 10.

Btw, I don't use the things you mentioned either, don't need them.

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I have Firefox set as my default Browser, so I do not need Redirect. Thanks though.

I don't like having a search brought up in another browser when I have Firefox as my default, that's my real problem with Edge. I have Firefox as my default, but that search area in start menu still uses edge. I'm glad you are set up though, but I don't think you meant just setting Firefox as default keeps Edge from opening search results and some other links as well.

Goldengirl52 said:

I don't like having a search brought up in another browser when I have Firefox as my default, that's my real problem with Edge. I have Firefox as my default, but that search area in start menu still uses edge. I'm glad you are set up though, but I don't think you meant just setting Firefox as default keeps Edge from opening search results and some other links as well.

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I also do not use MS Search , it is not on my taskbar.