How To Delete Microsoft Edge (Step-By-Step Guide)

Although some users prefer Microsoft Edge for its security, simple interface, and light memory footprint, others prefer to use other browsers.

Whatever your reason, you don’t have to use an app just because it’s ingrained in your operating system.

As the successor to Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge is now the default pre-installed browser in the latest versions of Windows OS.

However, despite the massive improvements, it’s not yet strong enough to compete with other major browsers like Google Chrome and Firefox.

Many users say they have a hard time logging in to different websites on Edge.

Its unfriendly homepage is chock full of ads, news titles, and other virtual junk that won’t go away unless you go to settings and disable them one at a time.

Besides, it doesn’t offer many customized options, not to mention the several seconds it takes to load a single page.

All these drawbacks have turned Microsoft Edge into a mostly useless and sometimes nerve-wracking piece of technology, which many users just want to get rid of.

However, the process turns out to be more difficult than you might assume.

How To Delete Microsoft Edge (Step-By-Step Guide)

Before 2019, when Microsoft introduced the 1903 version of Windows 10, removing default programs was an option for Windows users.

Then it came to light that force-uninstalling default applications could trigger issues for Windows and reduce its efficiency, so the company set out to limit uninstallation permissions.

Besides, the web-based programs in Windows will lose their functionality if you don’t have a default browser, so the OS can’t let you remove Microsoft Edge, hoping you’ll replace another.

That said, we know a workaround if you insist on removing the app.

Steps

As you know by now, Microsoft Edge is more stubborn than other apps when it comes to removal, meaning it may not be erased through the traditional method.

However, it’s worth trying the regular uninstallation path before you dig into more complicated methods, especially if you use Windows 8 or 7.

Open your Control Panel by searching it in the search box.
Jump to “Programs and Features.”
Scroll down the list to locate Microsoft Edge.
Select the app and press the “Uninstall” option above.

If you can’t find Microsoft Edge in the list or find the Uninstall button disabled, proceed with the next hacks.

Set Another Browser As The Default

Another way to ensure Microsoft Edge won’t start launching is to set another app as your default browser.

Install a competitor browser whose features you’re happy with, like Google Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.
Type “Default Apps” in your Windows search bar and open the corresponding setting.
Select “Choose a default app for web browser.”
When the list of your existing browsers appears, select the one you want to use as default.

Note: This won’t actually delete the app, but it removes it from your sight, letting you replace it with a better one.

Delete Microsoft Edge By Its Core Folders

Altering the folders is the best trick to disable Microsoft Edge, which works with all Windows versions, including the latest Windows 10 updates.

However, this doesn’t do away with the app.

It only halts its operation, so you can open external links with your preferred browser.

Still, I recommend this method the most because it’s the safest for your device besides the possibility of rolling back.

Here’s what to do.

1. Run Your PC In Safe Mode

First off, it’s wise to boot your PC to Safe Mode before trying to uninstall troublemaking software.

It keeps your computer’s integrity and prevents instability issues during the removal process.

Here’s how:

Reboot your computer.
Once you see the sign-in button with a blue background, click the power button at the bottom-right corner.
Then, hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and press “Restart” at the same time.
Wait until the Windows reboots and loads a blue screen, prompting you to choose an option.
Proceed with the following path: Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
It’ll restart once more and then display a list of reboot modes.
Press the corresponding number to launch your PC in Safe Mode.

2. Rename The Microsoft Edge Primary File

Open up “This PC” or whatever you’ve named it.
Then, go to Drive C > Windows > SystemApps to access the Microsoft pre-installed apps. (Drive C here represents your main drive, so if you’ve assigned another letter to it, go for that instead.)
Use the search tool at the top-right corner to find this folder: Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe. (The name may vary slightly based on your Microsoft Edge and Windows version, so if you couldn’t find it, look for any folder containing “Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge,” no matter what’s after underline.)
Right-click on the folder and select “Rename” from the drop-down list.
Add a couple of characters to change the folder’s name. (Just find a way to rename it, no matter how.)
Press “Continue” to grant administrative permission.
Your OS will no longer be capable of initiating Microsoft Edge since it cannot find the associated files.

Note: If Windows doesn’t allow you to change the file’s name in step 5, chances are the software is running in the background.

Therefore, you will have to visit Task Manager to terminate it.

Right-click the ribbon at the screen’s bottom—your taskbar.
Select “Task Manager” from the pop-up menu.
The new Window opens in the “Processes” tab.
Scroll down the existing list to find Microsoft Edge.
Click on its name and then hit the “End Task” button at the lower-right corner.

Note 2: In case you regret uninstalling Edge, you can restore Microsoft Edge by reassigning its original name.

Just write it down somewhere so you won’t burn your bridges behind you.

2. Omit The Microsoft Edge Installer

If you still can’t change the folder’s name, try this alternative method:

Find MicrosoftEdge folder in drive C > SystemApps, and double-click to open it.
Spot MicrosoftEdge’s executable file and right-click to delete it.

(If you can’t recognize it, hit “View” from the upper toolbar and mark “File name extensions” at the right. MicrosoftEdge’s executable file will appear as “MicrosoftEdge.exe.”)

3. Block Windows From Reactivating Microsoft Edge

Despite your best efforts to delete Microsoft Edge, your system may restore it after a Windows update.

Because of this, it’s worth going through a few more steps to prevent it.

After locating the MicrosoftEdge folder in drive C, right-click and choose “Properties.”
While in the “General” tab, tick this checkbox at the bottom of the window:
Read-only (only applies to files in the folder).
Click Apply and then OK, so the adjustments take hold.

4. Exit Safe Mode

Hit Windows + R keys together to load the Run box.
Type the command “msconfig” in the bar and tap Enter.
Switch to the “Boot” tab in the pop-up window.
Go to the “Boot Options” category and uncheck the “Safe boot” tickbox.
Press OK.

5. Make Microsoft Edge Icons Invisible

After crippling the Microsoft Edge browser, it’s time to remove its remaining shortcuts, so you won’t get into it anymore.

Select the Edge icon on the desktop and hit the “Del” button on your keyboard.
Go to Start, right-click the browser’s icon and select “unpin from Start.”
If it appears in the taskbar, right-click and hit “unpin from Taskbar.”

Delete Microsoft Edge Via Command Prompt

Windows Command Prompt is a text-based interface from Microsoft that translates directives from users to the OS.

It lets you carry out certain computer tasks using specific codes.

Deleting the built-in programs is one of the many tasks you can do with these commands:

Press Windows logo key plus R simultaneously to open the “Run” dialogue box.
Type in “cmd” in the empty field, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open Command Prompt as administrator. (Alternatively, you can search “Command Prompt” in Windows search, right-click the app, and choose “Run as administrator.”)
Copy and paste the following scripts in the Command Prompt screen, respectively, and hit Enter after each:
- cd %PROGRAMFILES(X86)%\Microsoft\Edge\Application\8*\Installer
- setup –uninstall –force-uninstall –system-level
Type “exit” at the prompt and hit Enter.
Restart your PC, and that’s all.

Delete Microsoft Edge In PowerShell

PowerShell is a scripting interface in Microsoft Windows that lets IT professionals manage the OS by automating various activities.

It has more than a hundred commands for different functions, including app uninstallation.

If Microsoft Edge appears too mulish to go away with Command Prompt, you may want to give this method a try.

Just remember that this framework is a bit more complicated than cmd and requires more computer expertise.

Therefore, do this at your own risk and ensure you follow each step very carefully.

Go to the Start menu and input “Powershell” in the search box.
Once the app comes up in the results, right-click on it and select “Run as administrator.”
In the new screen, type “Get-AppxPackage” and hit Enter to view all your Windows default apps, along with their parameters.
Then, insert the script “Get-AppxPackage | Select Name, PackageFullName” and hit Enter.
The information will fall into two categories of “Name” and “PackageFullName.”
Under the “PackageFullName” section, search for a value that contains “Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge.”
Once you find it, copy the whole line. (Simply select the script and press Ctrl + C. Ideally, you can paste it somewhere, so you won’t lose it.)
Insert “Get-AppxPackage X | Remove-AppxPackage” in the command field while replacing X with the script you copied (Use Ctrl + V).
Hit Enter to establish the execution and then exit Powershell.
Test whether Microsoft Edge has been removed after restarting your PC.

Further points: This technique wipes out the file app residue as well.

However, it may not work in the post-2019 Win 10 builds.

Delete Microsoft Edge Via An App Remover

App removers such as IObit, Bulk, Revo, and Geek are adept at uninstalling programs.

Not only can they halt a program from running, but they also erase all its footprints, files, and registries.

They also do so without making your system vulnerable, damaged, or inoperable.

However, please note that they won’t work if you’re on Windows 10 the 1903 update.

That’s because Microsoft has increased its protective measures since 2019 and restricted external apps to alter its default configurations.

Here’s a quick guide on how to use each utility:

A. IObit

Download and install the newest version of IObit.
Use one of the following methods to remove Microsoft Edge:

Right-click the Microsoft Edge shortcut on your display and press “Powerful Uninstall” through the drop-down menu.
Drag and drop the Microsoft Edge icon into the IObit interface.
Open IObit to visit its apps list, then spot Microsoft Edge and tap on the trash bin symbol.

B. Revo

Download and run the app’s latest version.
Make sure to close Microsoft Edge tabs and windows and close it in Task Manager.
Head to the “All programs” section and scroll down the list until you find Microsoft Edge.
Mark it and click the recycle bin on the right side.

C. Bulk

Download, set up, and launch the software.
Expand its programs segment, select Microsoft Edge, and press “uninstall.”
In the new window, tick the box, “Create a restore point before uninstall,” and proceed with the green Uninstall button.

D. Geek

Download and initiate the software.
Navigate to Microsoft Edge in the contextual programs list, right-click, and choose “Uninstall” from the drop-down menu.

Prevent Windows From Reinstalling Microsoft Edge

Unless you use an app remover to uninstall Microsoft Edge, your OS may always find a way to restore it during system updates.

To prevent this backsliding, you need to tweak your Windows registry.

Type “Registry Editor” in your Windows search box and open the app.
Expand the little arrow next to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE.
Then, go to SOFTWARE > Microsoft.
Right-click “Microsoft,” hover the cursor on “New,” and choose “Key.” from the sub-menu.
Once the new folder is added, type “EdgeUpdate” as its name and hit Enter.
Right-click on EdgeUpdate, go to “New,” and select “DWORD (32-bit) Value” to create another value.
Name this value “DoNotUpdateToEdgeWithChromium.”
Double-click this item and be sure to set the value to “1.”
Press OK and Exit the Registry Editor.

Important Tip

Deleting Microsoft Edge is just half of the story, and more annoying challenges are to come once you successfully remove it.

For example, you may have a hard time installing third-party apps on Windows or face minor bugs in its basic tasks.

Although it’s entirely possible to remove Microsoft Edge, it may be a bad idea, and it’s wiser to work around the problem by replacing the default browser.