How to Turn Off Microsoft Edge in Windows 11: Step-by-Step Guide

Microsoft Edge is deeply integrated into Windows 11, acting as the default web browser and handling many internal system tasks — from opening web links in widgets and search results to rendering system web content.

But not everyone wants to use Edge. Many users prefer Chrome, Firefox, or Brave and get frustrated when Edge keeps launching automatically or opens after updates.

So, if you’ve ever wondered how to turn off Microsoft Edge in Windows 11, this detailed step-by-step guide will walk you through every method — from disabling Edge startup behavior to blocking it completely.

Why You Might Want to Turn Off Microsoft Edge

There are plenty of reasons users want to disable Microsoft Edge in Windows 11:

• 🌐 You prefer Chrome, Firefox, Brave, or Opera as your main browser.

• ⚡ Edge opens automatically at startup, slowing your PC.

• 📦 Edge reappears after Windows updates.

• 🧭 You don’t want Edge handling system web content.

• 🔒 You want better control over background processes and privacy.

Whatever your reason, there are multiple safe ways to turn off or limit Edge without breaking Windows.

---

Can You Completely Uninstall Microsoft Edge in Windows 11?

Technically, Microsoft doesn’t allow full removal of Edge since it’s part of the operating system.
However, you can disable, hide, or block it so it never interferes with your experience.

You have three main choices:

Let’s go through each one step by step.

---

Method 1: Stop Microsoft Edge from Opening on Startup

Edge sometimes starts automatically when you boot Windows 11.

Steps:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

2. Click the Startup apps tab (or “Startup” in sidebar).

3. Locate Microsoft Edge in the list.

4. Click it and choose Disable at the top right.

✅ Edge will no longer launch automatically when your computer starts.

---

Method 2: Disable Edge Auto Launch via Task Manager

Even if Edge is disabled in startup, background processes can relaunch it.

Steps:

1. Open Task Manager again.

2. Go to the Processes tab.

3. Find Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Edge WebView2, or Edge Update.

4. Right-click each one → select End Task.

💡 Tip: To prevent future background tasks, disable them from Startup apps or the Settings app → Apps → Startup.

---

Method 3: Turn Off Microsoft Edge Background Processes

Edge runs several background services for quick startup and notifications.

Steps:

1. Open Microsoft Edge.

2. Click the three dots (⋯) in the top-right corner → choose Settings.

3. Select System and Performance on the left.

4. Turn off:

   • “Startup boost”

   • “Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed”

Then close Edge.

✅ This prevents Edge from using resources even when it’s not open.

---

Method 4: Change Default Browser to Stop Edge Auto-Open

Many Windows components (like search, widgets, and links) open in Edge by default.
Changing your default browser ensures web links open where you want.

Steps:

1. Open Settings (Win + I).

2. Go to Apps → Default apps.

3. Scroll down and click your preferred browser (e.g., Google Chrome).

4. Click Set default at the top.

Windows will now open all web content in your chosen browser instead of Edge.

---

Method 5: Block Edge via Group Policy (Pro/Enterprise)

If you’re on Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, you can use Group Policy Editor to block Edge.

🛠️ Note: Home edition users can skip this and go to the next method.

Steps:

1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.

2. Navigate to:

   Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Microsoft Edge


3. Double-click Allow Microsoft Edge to pre-launch at Windows startup.

4. Select Disabled → Apply → OK.

5. Also disable:

   • Allow Microsoft Edge to start and load the Start and New Tab page at startup

   • Allow Microsoft Edge to run in the background

Restart your PC. Edge will no longer auto-run or pre-load.

---

Method 6: Disable Edge Auto-Launch Using Registry Editor

For Windows 11 Home users, you can do the same thing via the Registry.

⚠️ Warning: Back up your registry before editing.

Steps:

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.

2. Navigate to:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft


3. Right-click Microsoft → New → Key → Name it “Edge.”

4. Inside the Edge key, right-click → New → DWORD (32-bit) Value.

5. Create these two values and set each to 0:

   • AllowPrelaunch

   • AllowStartupBoost

6. Restart your computer.

✅ Edge will stop launching in the background or at startup.

---

Method 7: Use MSEdgeRedirect or Edge Blocker (Advanced Users)

If Windows still forces certain links to open in Edge (like from the Start menu or widgets), tools like MSEdgeRedirect or Edge Blocker can reroute them.

🧩 What These Tools Do

They intercept “Edge-only” links and redirect them to your default browser (e.g., Chrome or Firefox).

Steps (MSEdgeRedirect Example):

1. Download MSEdgeRedirect from its official GitHub page.

2. Install and open it.

3. Choose:

   • Redirect Mode: Redirect everything to your default browser.

   • Search Engine: Set to Google, DuckDuckGo, or your choice.

4. Save and reboot.

Now, all Windows links — even from Start search or widgets — open outside of Edge.

---

Method 8: Prevent Edge from Opening After Windows Updates

After big Windows updates, Microsoft often relaunches Edge automatically.

Steps:

1. Press Win + I → open Privacy & Security → General.

2. Disable:

   • “Let Windows improve Start and search results by tracking app launches.”

   • “Show me suggested content in the Settings app.”

3. Also go to Settings → System → Notifications → turn off Edge notifications.

✅ These settings stop Windows from relaunching or promoting Edge post-update.

---

Method 9: Remove Edge from Taskbar and File Associations

Even if Edge is disabled, its icons might still clutter your interface.

To Remove Edge from Taskbar:

1. Right-click Microsoft Edge icon on taskbar.

2. Choose Unpin from taskbar.

To Remove File Associations:

1. Go to Settings → Apps → Default apps.

2. Scroll to Microsoft Edge → click it.

3. Change .htm, .html, .pdf, .shtml, and .webp to your preferred browser or app.

Now, even web files won’t default to Edge.

---

Bonus: How to Uninstall Microsoft Edge (Optional)

If you really want to go further, you can uninstall Edge manually via PowerShell.

⚠️ Warning: This is not officially supported by Microsoft. Proceed with caution.

Steps:

1. Open File Explorer and go to:

   C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\


2. Open the folder with the latest version number (e.g., 126.0.2592.102).

3. Inside it, open the Installer folder.

4. Click the address bar, type cmd, and press Enter.

5. In Command Prompt, type:

   setup.exe --uninstall --system-level --verbose-logging --force-uninstall


6. Press Enter.

💡 Edge will be removed — though Windows updates may reinstall it later.

---

Tips to Keep Edge Disabled Permanently

• 🧩 Disable startup boost and background processes.

• 🧭 Set your default browser to Google Chrome or Firefox.

• ⚙️ Use MSEdgeRedirect to handle system-level links.

• 🔐 Block pre-launch policies via Group Policy or Registry.

• 🚫 Unpin Edge from your taskbar and Start menu.

---

Troubleshooting: Edge Keeps Coming Back?

If Microsoft Edge reappears or auto-launches again, check the following:

---

Key Takeaways

---

Conclusion

Turning off Microsoft Edge in Windows 11 isn’t as hard as it seems — it just takes the right combination of steps.

You can stop it from launching on startup, prevent it from opening web links, and even remove it completely if you’re determined.

Once you’ve set your preferred browser and disabled background processes, you’ll enjoy a faster, cleaner, and Edge-free Windows 11 experience.

So go ahead — follow the steps above, and reclaim your PC from unwanted auto-launches once and for all! 🚀

---

FAQs

1. Can I uninstall Microsoft Edge from Windows 11 permanently?

Not officially — Microsoft prevents complete removal. However, you can uninstall it via PowerShell and block reinstallation using group policies.

2. Why does Edge keep opening automatically?

It’s usually due to “Startup boost” or background processes. Turn these off in Edge → Settings → System and Performance.

3. Does disabling Edge affect Windows updates or search?

No. Windows will continue to work normally even if Edge is disabled or blocked.

4. What’s the best alternative browser for Windows 11?

Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Brave are great alternatives with strong privacy and performance.

5. How can I stop Edge from opening links from the Start Menu?

Use a redirection tool like MSEdgeRedirect to force Windows to open those links in your default browser.

---

🔍 Summary

To turn off Microsoft Edge in Windows 11:

1. Disable startup entries in Task Manager.

2. Turn off background processes and startup boost.

3. Set another default browser.

4. Use Group Policy, Registry, or MSEdgeRedirect for total control.

After following these steps, Edge will finally stay closed — and your browsing experience will be fully under your control.