How to Uninstall Microsoft Edge in
Windows 10 & Windows 11

Can You Uninstall Microsoft Edge from Windows 10 and Windows 11?

It depends on your Windows region, version, and update status. On many Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs, Microsoft Edge is treated as a core Windows component, so the regular Uninstall button may be missing or disabled. In the European Economic Area (EEA), newer Windows builds can provide an official option to uninstall Edge from Settings or the Start menu.

For most users, the safest approach is simple: first check whether Windows offers the built-in uninstall option. If it does not, avoid aggressive removal scripts and instead disable Edge background activity, remove shortcuts, and set another browser as the default.

Before You Remove Microsoft Edge: What You Should Check First

Before uninstalling Microsoft Edge, make sure your system will still have a working browser and that important data stored in Edge is not lost.

1. Install another browser first. Download and install Chrome, Firefox, Brave, Opera, Vivaldi, or another browser before removing Edge.
2. Export bookmarks and passwords if needed. In Edge, open edge://favorites to export favorites. For passwords, open edge://wallet/passwords and use the export option if available.
3. Check whether you use Edge profiles. If you sync Edge with a Microsoft account, confirm that your favorites, extensions, and settings are synced before uninstalling.
4. Create a restore point. Press Win + R, type SystemPropertiesProtection, press Enter, and create a restore point before making system-level changes.

How to Uninstall Microsoft Edge from Settings in Windows 11 and Windows 10

The Settings app is the official method. If your Windows installation supports Edge removal, this is where the option usually appears.

Steps for Windows 11

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Apps → Installed apps.
3. Search for Microsoft Edge.
4. Click the three-dot menu next to Microsoft Edge.
5. If Uninstall is available, click it and confirm the removal.
6. Restart your PC after the uninstall finishes.

Steps for Windows 10

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Apps → Apps & features.
3. Find Microsoft Edge in the list.
4. Select it and check whether the Uninstall button is active.
5. If the button is available, click Uninstall and follow the prompts.

How to Remove Microsoft Edge from the Start Menu

On supported systems, Edge can also be uninstalled directly from the Start menu. This method is faster than opening the Settings app, but it appears only when Windows allows Edge to be removed.

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Type Microsoft Edge.
3. Right-click Microsoft Edge in the search results.
4. If you see Uninstall, click it.
5. Confirm the action and restart Windows when finished.

How to Disable Microsoft Edge Without Uninstalling It

If Windows does not let you uninstall Microsoft Edge, you can still make it mostly invisible in everyday use. The goal is to stop Edge from launching automatically, running in the background, or handling web links by default.

Turn off Edge startup and background activity

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Click the three-dot menu → Settings.
3. Open System and performance.
4. Turn off Startup boost.
5. Turn off Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed.
6. Close Edge and restart your PC.

Disable Edge from Startup apps

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Open the Startup apps tab.
3. Find Microsoft Edge or Edge-related entries.
4. Select the entry and click Disable.

How to Set Chrome, Firefox, Brave, or Another Browser as Default

Even if Edge remains installed, you can stop it from being the default browser for websites, HTML files, PDFs, and other common file types.

Windows 11

1. Open Settings with Win + I.
2. Go to Apps → Default apps.
3. Select your preferred browser, for example Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.
4. Click Set default.
5. Review file types such as .html, .htm, HTTP, HTTPS, and .pdf, and change them if necessary.

Windows 10

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Apps → Default apps.
3. Under Web browser, click the current browser.
4. Select the browser you want to use instead of Edge.

How to Remove Microsoft Edge Shortcuts, Icons, and Taskbar Pins

If Edge cannot be uninstalled, removing its visible shortcuts can still make Windows feel cleaner.

Unpin Edge from the taskbar and Start menu

1. Right-click the Microsoft Edge icon on the taskbar.
2. Choose Unpin from taskbar.
3. Open the Start menu.
4. Right-click the Edge tile or pinned icon and select Unpin from Start.

Delete the desktop shortcut

1. Right-click the Microsoft Edge shortcut on the desktop.
2. Select Delete.
3. This removes only the shortcut, not the browser itself.

Remove Edge from the public desktop folder

If the Edge shortcut keeps appearing for all users, check the public desktop folder:

C:\Users\Public\Desktop

Delete the Microsoft Edge shortcut from that folder if it exists. Administrator permission may be required.

How to Reinstall Microsoft Edge After Removing It

If you removed Edge and later need it again, reinstalling is straightforward.

1. Open another browser.
2. Go to the official Microsoft Edge download page.
3. Download the installer for Windows 10 or Windows 11.
4. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
5. Restart your computer if Windows asks you to do so.

Frequently Asked Questions About Removing Microsoft Edge