How to Disable Microsoft Edge on Windows 10?

Microsoft Edge is the default web browser in Windows 10, and while it offers numerous features, you may want to disable it for various reasons. Perhaps you prefer using another browser or simply don’t want Microsoft Edge to run in the background. While you can’t completely remove Microsoft Edge (since it’s integrated into Windows 10), you can disable it in different ways.

In this guide, we’ll show you several methods to disable Microsoft Edge on Windows 10.

Why Disable Microsoft Edge?

There are a few reasons you might want to disable Microsoft Edge on your system:

• Preference for Another Browser: You may prefer using Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or another browser.
• System Performance: Edge may be running in the background, consuming system resources.
• Privacy Concerns: You may want to prevent data collection by Microsoft when using Edge.
• App Compatibility: Some apps may open links in Edge, and you prefer other browsers to handle them.

Method 1: Change Default Browser in Windows 10

If your goal is to stop using Microsoft Edge and instead use a different browser, you can easily change the default browser settings.

Steps to Change the Default Browser:

1. Open Settings:
   • Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
2. Navigate to Default Apps:
   • Click on Apps, then select Default apps from the left panel.
3. Change Web Browser:
   • Under the Web browser section, click on Microsoft Edge.
   • A list of installed browsers will appear. Select your preferred browser (e.g., Google Chrome, Firefox).
4. Confirm Your Selection:
   • After selecting your preferred browser, it will automatically set as the default for web browsing, opening links, and other tasks.

This method doesn’t technically disable Microsoft Edge but ensures that all web-related activities are handled by your chosen browser.

Method 2: Uninstall Microsoft Edge (Not Recommended)

Microsoft Edge is a built-in feature of Windows 10, so it’s not as easy to uninstall like third-party apps. However, some users attempt to uninstall it using command prompts, though this is not recommended as it can cause issues with system stability or functionality. Microsoft updates Edge automatically through Windows Update, so if it is removed, it might get reinstalled after an update.

Steps to Uninstall Edge (Advanced Method):

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
   • Type cmd in the Start menu search bar, right-click Command Prompt, and choose Run as Administrator.
2. Locate the Edge Folder:
   • Run the following command to navigate to the folder containing Edge’s installation: cd %PROGRAMFILES(X86)%\Microsoft\Edge\Application\xx.x.xxxx.x\Installer
   • Replace xx.x.xxxx.x with the version number of Edge you have installed.
3. Execute Uninstall Command:
   • Run this command to uninstall Microsoft Edge: setup.exe --uninstall --system-level --verbose-logging --force-uninstall
4. Reboot Your PC:
   • After executing the command, restart your PC to complete the uninstallation process.

Note: Microsoft may automatically reinstall Edge in future updates, so this method is not permanent.

Method 3: Disable Edge from Auto-Launching with Task Scheduler

If you don’t want Microsoft Edge to run automatically on startup, you can use Task Scheduler to disable it.

Steps to Disable Edge from Auto-Launching:

1. Open Task Scheduler:
   • Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box, type taskschd.msc, and press Enter.
2. Locate Edge-Related Tasks:
   • In the Task Scheduler window, navigate to: Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows > Application Experience
3. Disable Edge Tasks:
   • Look for any tasks related to Microsoft Edge (like “MicrosoftEdgeUpdate” or “MicrosoftEdgeUpdateTaskMachineCore”) on the right panel.
   • Right-click the task and choose Disable.

This prevents Edge from launching automatically, but you can still use it manually if needed.

Method 4: Disable Edge Using Group Policy Editor (Pro and Enterprise Versions Only)

If you’re using Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise, you can use the Group Policy Editor to disable Edge completely, preventing it from running or being used as a default browser.

Steps to Disable Edge via Group Policy Editor:

1. Open Group Policy Editor:
   • Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter to open the Local Group Policy Editor.
2. Navigate to Microsoft Edge Settings:
   • Go to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Microsoft Edge
3. Disable Edge:
   • Find the policy setting called “Prevent Microsoft Edge from being the default browser”.
   • Double-click the policy and select Enabled to prevent Edge from being used as the default browser.
   • Click OK to save your settings.
4. Apply the Changes:
   • Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Method 5: Use Registry Editor (Advanced Method)

Another advanced method involves modifying the system registry to disable Edge. This is not recommended for beginners, as making incorrect changes to the registry can cause system instability.

Steps to Disable Edge Using Registry Editor:

1. Open the Registry Editor:
   • Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to the Registry Key:
   • Go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft
   • If you don’t see a Microsoft Edge folder, right-click Microsoft, select New > Key, and name it Edge.
3. Create a New Value:
   • Inside the Edge folder, right-click the blank space and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it “DoNotAllowEdge”.
   • Set the value to 1.
4. Restart Your Computer:
   • Restart your computer to disable Microsoft Edge.

Note: Be cautious when using the Registry Editor, as incorrect changes can damage your system.

Method 6: Disable Edge from Using Background Processes

Microsoft Edge can run in the background even when you’re not using it. To prevent this, you can turn off background processes.

Steps to Disable Edge Background Processes:

1. Open Edge Settings:
   • Launch Microsoft Edge, click on the three dots in the top-right corner, and select Settings.
2. Navigate to System Settings:
   • Scroll down to System and toggle off the option “Continue running background apps when Microsoft Edge is closed”.
3. Close Edge:
   • Close Microsoft Edge and restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Conclusion

While you can’t completely remove Microsoft Edge from Windows 10 due to its deep integration with the system, these methods allow you to disable it or stop it from running automatically. Whether you want to change the default browser, prevent Edge from launching in the background, or disable it entirely via Group Policy or the Registry, you have several options to limit or stop its usage.

Key Takeaways:

• Method 1: Change the default browser to stop using Microsoft Edge.
• Method 2: Uninstall Edge using advanced methods (not recommended long-term).
• Method 3: Disable auto-launch with Task Scheduler.
• Method 4: Use Group Policy Editor (for Pro/Enterprise versions) to disable Edge.
• Method 5: Modify the Registry Editor to stop Edge (advanced users only).
• Method 6: Disable Edge background processes in Settings.

These methods allow you to manage Microsoft Edge to suit your preferences while keeping your system stable.