Enable Startup Boost in Microsoft Edge

Startup Boost keeps some Edge processes running in the background so the browser can open faster when you launch it. You can switch it on in Edge Settings; you’ll need Edge installed and permission to change its settings on your Windows device.

What You’ll Need

Microsoft Edge installed on a supported Windows computer.
Access to Edge’s settings. A work- or school-managed device may restrict the setting.
A moment to restart Edge after changing the option and check whether it is available.

Step-by-Step

Open Microsoft Edge. Start Edge from the Start menu, taskbar, desktop shortcut, or another usual entry point. If it is already open, you can continue without closing it first.
Open Settings. Select the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner of the browser, then choose Settings. You can also enter edge://settings/system in the address bar and press Enter to open the relevant settings page directly.
Find the system and performance options. In Settings, select System and performance in the left-hand menu. If the menu is collapsed, select the menu button near the top-left of the Settings page. The direct address above should take you to this area.
Locate Startup Boost. Look in the System section for Startup boost. Depending on the Edge version and screen layout, you may need to scroll. The feature may be described as keeping Edge running in the background to start faster.
Turn on Startup Boost. Select the switch next to Startup boost so it shows as enabled. Edge usually saves this change immediately; there is no separate Save button. If a confirmation or restart prompt appears, follow it.
Restart Edge and test it. Close all Edge windows, then open the browser again. For a cleaner check, wait a few seconds before reopening it. Startup Boost is intended to help subsequent launches, so do not judge it only by the first launch immediately after enabling it.
Confirm the switch stayed on. Return to edge://settings/system and check that Startup Boost is still enabled. If it has switched off or is missing, use the troubleshooting steps below before trying to change Windows background permissions.

Common Mistakes

Looking under the wrong setting. Startup Boost is in Edge’s System and performance settings, not the Windows startup-app list. Windows startup apps control whether an app launches when you sign in; Startup Boost prepares Edge to launch faster when you choose to open it.
Expecting Edge to open at sign-in. Enabling Startup Boost does not automatically open a browser window when Windows starts. It keeps certain browser processes ready in the background, which is a different behavior.
Closing Edge and assuming the feature failed. Edge may continue running background processes even when all browser windows are closed. That is expected when Startup Boost is enabled. To stop this behavior, turn off Startup Boost and check the related background-running setting.
Checking only the first launch. Startup Boost aims to reduce launch time, but the improvement depends on your device, workload, and current Edge state. It does not guarantee a particular opening time, and startup can still be slower after an update or a full system restart.
Confusing it with sleeping tabs. Sleeping tabs help reduce the resource use of inactive tabs in an open browser. They are separate from Startup Boost and do not need to be enabled for Startup Boost to work.

Tips

Use the address edge://settings/system as a quick route back to the setting. You can type it in Edge’s address bar; it is an internal settings page, not a website.
If you want Edge to launch automatically when you sign in to Windows, configure that separately through Windows startup options or an appropriate Edge setting if available in your version. Do not treat Startup Boost as an automatic-launch switch.
Consider your device’s available memory and battery use. Keeping background processes ready can use some system resources, so test the setting for a while and turn it off if you prefer Edge not to remain active after closing its windows.
Keep Edge up to date. Settings labels and locations can change slightly between releases, and updates can resolve problems with settings that do not respond as expected.
To compare launch behavior fairly, use the same device conditions and open Edge in the same way each time. Avoid relying on a single launch as proof of a speed change.

Troubleshooting

Startup Boost is missing. Confirm that you are using Microsoft Edge on Windows and open edge://settings/system. The option may not be offered in some versions, configurations, or managed environments. Install available Edge updates, restart the browser, and check again. If this is a work or school computer, an administrator may control the setting; contact the device administrator rather than trying to override the policy.

The switch is greyed out or will not stay on. A browser policy or device configuration may be enforcing the choice. Open edge://policy to see whether policies are applied. This page is mainly useful for identifying that management is in place; do not change policy settings yourself on a managed device. If it is your personal computer, restart Edge and Windows, install updates, and check the setting again.

Edge still seems slow to open. Startup Boost can help with launch readiness but cannot remove every cause of delay. Check for pending Edge updates, close unnecessary applications, and see whether the delay continues with a fresh browser window. A large number of extensions or a resource-heavy device workload may also affect responsiveness. Test without changing several settings at once so you can identify what helps.

Edge remains in the background after closing. That is consistent with Startup Boost. To change it, return to Settings > System and performance and switch Startup Boost off. Also review any separate option that allows Edge to continue running background extensions and apps when the browser is closed, if shown. The exact label can vary by release.

The setting reverts after an update or restart. Check edge://policy for management, then revisit the system settings page. If no policy appears, update Edge and restart Windows. For a persistent problem on a personal device, use Edge’s built-in settings reset only after considering its effect on settings; it is a broader step than changing Startup Boost and may reset other browser preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Startup Boost do in Microsoft Edge?
It keeps certain Edge processes ready in the background so the browser can start more quickly when you open it.

Does Startup Boost open Edge when I turn on my computer?
No. It can prepare Edge in the background, but it does not itself open a browser window at Windows sign-in.

Where is the Startup Boost setting?
Open Settings > System and performance, or go to edge://settings/system in Edge.

Is Startup Boost available on Mac?
Availability can differ by operating system and Edge configuration. If the option is not present in System and performance settings on your device, you cannot enable it there.

Can I turn Startup Boost off?
Yes. Return to System and performance and switch Startup Boost off. Edge may then stop keeping its startup processes ready in the background.

Does Startup Boost guarantee a faster launch?
No. It is intended to help Edge start faster, but the result varies with the device, browser state, and other running software.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →