How to Repair Microsoft Edge on Windows 10

If Microsoft Edge is crashing, not loading pages, or behaving erratically on Windows 10, a repair can often restore it without reinstalling Windows. This guide walks you through several methods, from built-in Windows repair tools to resetting the browser completely. You’ll need to be signed in with an administrator account to perform most of these steps.

What You’ll Need

• An administrator account on Windows 10
• A stable internet connection (for downloading updates if needed)
• Optional: a backup of your Edge favorites and passwords (they may be lost during a full reset)

Step-by-Step

1. Close Edge completely. Make sure no Edge windows are open. Check the system tray for any lingering Edge icons and right-click > Close.
2. Open Windows Settings. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
3. Go to Apps. Click on Apps (or Apps & features).
4. Find Microsoft Edge. In the search box, type “Edge”. You should see Microsoft Edge in the list. Click on it once to select it.
5. Click Modify. A Modify button should appear. Click it. If you don’t see Modify, you may need to click Advanced options first.
6. Confirm the User Account Control prompt. If prompted, click Yes to allow changes.
7. Choose Repair. A small window will pop up with two choices: Repair and Reset. Click Repair. This will attempt to fix Edge without deleting your browsing data (favorites, history, passwords).
8. Wait for the repair to finish. A progress bar will appear. It usually takes a minute or two. Do not close the window.
9. Click OK and restart Edge. Once the repair is complete, click OK. Try opening Edge again. If it works, you’re done.
10. If Repair didn’t fix it, try Reset. Go back to the same Modify window (Steps 2-6) and click Reset. This will remove all your Edge data (favorites, history, passwords, settings) and reinstall the browser fresh. You’ll be asked to confirm – click Reset again.
11. If Modify isn’t available, use PowerShell. Right-click the Start button and select Windows PowerShell (Admin). Type the following command and press Enter: Get-AppxPackage -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Reset-AppxPackage. This resets Edge to its default state. (This works for the legacy Edge version; for the new Chromium Edge, use the Modify method above.)

Common Mistakes

• Skipping the Repair step. Many users jump straight to Reset, losing all their data. Try Repair first – it’s less destructive.
• Not closing Edge first. If Edge is running in the background, the repair may fail. Always ensure it’s fully closed.
• Using the wrong PowerShell command. The Reset-AppxPackage command works for the built-in Edge (EdgeHTML). For the newer Chromium Edge, you should use the Settings method instead.
• Ignoring Windows updates. Sometimes Edge issues are caused by missing Windows updates. Check for updates in Settings > Update & Security before repairing.

Tips

• Back up your data. Before using Reset, export your favorites (Edge Settings > Profiles > Export favorites) and consider saving passwords to a file or using a password manager.
• Clear cache and cookies. If Edge is slow or not loading pages correctly, try clearing browsing data (Ctrl+Shift+Del) before a full repair.
• Disable extensions. A faulty extension can cause crashes. Try running Edge in InPrivate mode (Ctrl+Shift+N). If it works there, disable your extensions one by one.
• Create a new user profile. If Edge is still broken, create a new Windows user account and see if Edge works there. If it does, your original profile may be corrupted.

Troubleshooting

If the repair doesn’t work, try these additional steps:

• Run Windows Update. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click Check for updates. Install any pending updates and restart.
• Run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Windows Store Apps. Run it and follow the prompts.
• Reinstall Edge via the official installer. Download the standalone Edge installer from Microsoft’s website (search “Microsoft Edge download”). Run it – it will reinstall Edge without affecting your data (if you choose to keep it).
• Check for malware. Run a full scan with Windows Defender or your antivirus. Malware can corrupt browser files.
• Use System File Checker. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run sfc /scannow. This checks for corrupted system files and repairs them.
• If all else fails, create a new Windows user profile. If Edge works in a new profile, you can migrate your files and settings to the new profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will repairing Edge delete my favorites and passwords?

No, the Repair option preserves your browsing data. Only Reset deletes everything.

Why is the Modify button grayed out?

This can happen if you’re not an administrator, or if Edge is running in the background. Close Edge completely and try again.

I don’t see Microsoft Edge in Apps & features. What now?

Edge is a system app, so it may not appear in the list. Use the PowerShell method instead, or download the installer from Microsoft’s website.

How long does the repair take?

Usually 1-2 minutes, but it can take longer if your system is slow or if there are many files to fix.

Can I repair Edge without losing my open tabs?

Repair will close all open Edge windows. Your tabs will be lost unless you’ve enabled the “Continue where you left off” setting (Edge Settings > On startup).

Is resetting Edge the same as uninstalling it?

No, resetting restores Edge to its default state but keeps the app installed. Uninstalling is not possible for the built-in Edge in Windows 10.

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