How to Stop Microsoft Edge From Opening

If Microsoft Edge keeps launching on its own—when you start Windows, after an update, or when you click a link—this guide shows you how to stop it. The fixes below cover the most common causes: startup apps, background processes, file associations, and system settings. You’ll need to be signed in as an administrator on Windows 10 or 11.

What You’ll Need

Administrator access to your Windows PC
About 10–15 minutes

Step-by-Step

Disable Edge from startup. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Click the Startup apps tab (or More details first if you don’t see tabs). Find Microsoft Edge in the list. Right-click it and select Disable. This stops Edge from launching when you log in.
Turn off Edge background running. Open Edge. Click the three-dot menu (⋯) in the top-right corner, then go to Settings > System and performance. Turn off the toggle for Startup boost and also turn off Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed. Close Edge completely.
Change the default browser to something else. If Edge opens when you click links in emails or documents, it’s likely set as your default browser. In Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps. Scroll to Microsoft Edge and click it. You’ll see a list of file types and link types (like .html, HTTP, HTTPS). For each one, click the current app and choose your preferred browser (e.g., Chrome, Firefox). If you want a quick way, choose your browser from the Set defaults by app section and click Set default next to it.
Remove Edge from the “Open with” context menu. This is less common, but if Edge appears when you right-click a file, you can change the default app for that file type as in step 3. For example, for .pdf files, set your PDF reader as default.
Check Windows Settings for “Continue running background apps”. Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Background apps. Under Let apps run in the background, find Microsoft Edge and set it to Never. (On Windows 11, this is under Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Edge > Advanced options > Background permissions.)
Uninstall Edge (if you really want it gone). Edge is a system component, so it cannot be uninstalled normally, but you can remove it via PowerShell. This is a more advanced step—only do it if you never use Edge and you’re comfortable with command line. Open PowerShell as administrator (right-click Start > Windows Terminal (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin)). Run the command: Get-AppxPackage *MicrosoftEdge* | Remove-AppxPackage. This removes the UWP version. Note that after a major Windows update, Edge may be reinstalled. If you just want to stop it from opening, skip this step.
Disable Edge from scheduled tasks. Some updates create scheduled tasks that open Edge. Press Win + R, type taskschd.msc, and press Enter. In Task Scheduler, go to Task Scheduler Library and look for any tasks named MicrosoftEdge or Edge. Right-click and choose Disable. Be careful not to disable unrelated tasks.
Check the registry for “Run” keys. This is for advanced users. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run and also HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run. Look for any entry that says msedge.exe or contains “Edge”. Right-click and delete it. Export the key first to back it up.
Reset Edge settings. If Edge is opening with a specific page or after a crash, resetting it may help. Open Edge, go to Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their default values. Confirm. This won’t remove your bookmarks, but it will clear startup pages and extensions.

Common Mistakes

Only disabling startup boost. If you don’t also turn off background running, Edge can still launch in the background when you close it.
Forgetting to change file associations. Even if you change the default browser, some file types (like .pdf or .svg) might still open in Edge until you change them individually.
Using the “Uninstall” option in Settings. Edge doesn’t appear in the normal uninstall list for most users, and trying to force it can break Windows. Use the PowerShell method only if you’re sure.
Deleting registry keys without backup. A wrong delete can cause system instability. Always export the key first.

Tips

After making changes, restart your computer and test by clicking a link in an email or a document. If Edge doesn’t open, you’re done.
If you use Edge occasionally, leave it installed but disabled from startup and background. It will still work when you click its icon.
Windows updates can reset some settings. If Edge starts opening again after an update, re-check the startup and default app settings.
For a quick fix on a single link, you can right-click the link and choose “Open with” > your browser, but that only works for that one click.

Troubleshooting

Edge still opens after disabling startup. Check if there’s a scheduled task (step 7) or a registry entry (step 8). Also, some third-party apps (like PDF readers or link handlers) may call Edge. Re-check the default apps for HTTP and HTTPS protocols.

Edge opens when I click a link in a specific program. That program may have its own browser setting. For example, in Microsoft Office, go to File > Options > Advanced and look for “Open hyperlinks in” and choose your browser. In email clients, check the settings for “Default browser”.

Edge opens after a Windows update. Windows sometimes resets default apps. Go back to Settings > Apps > Default apps and set your browser again. You may also need to re-disable startup boost.

Edge opens but shows a blank page or error. This is likely a crash recovery. Try resetting Edge settings (step 9). If that doesn’t work, clear Edge’s cache: Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Clear browsing data.

Edge won’t uninstall via PowerShell. Make sure you’re running as administrator. If the command fails, try Get-AppxPackage *Edge* | Remove-AppxPackage or search for “Microsoft Edge” in the list. If it still fails, it may be protected by Windows—skip this step and just disable it.

Edge opens when I press the “Edge” key on my keyboard. Some keyboards have a dedicated Edge key. You can remap it using third-party software like AutoHotkey, or ignore it if you don’t use the key.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I completely uninstall Microsoft Edge?
On Windows 10/11, Edge is a system component and cannot be fully uninstalled through normal means. You can remove the UWP app via PowerShell, but it may return after updates. It’s safer to disable it instead.

Q: Why does Edge open when I start my computer?
Usually because Edge is set to run at startup. Check Task Manager’s Startup tab and disable it. Also turn off “Startup boost” in Edge settings.

Q: Will disabling Edge affect Windows updates?
No. Edge is separate from the update mechanism. You can disable it without affecting Windows Update.

Q: How do I make Chrome or Firefox my default browser instead of Edge?
In Windows Settings, go to Default apps, find your browser, and click “Set default”. Then go to Edge and change the HTTP/HTTPS handlers to your browser. Some browsers ask you to set them as default on first launch—click “Yes”.

Q: Edge keeps opening after I close it. Is that a virus?
Not necessarily. Edge has a feature that lets it run in the background to keep extensions and downloads active. Turn off “Continue running background extensions and apps” in Edge settings. If it still opens on its own, check for scheduled tasks and startup entries.

Q: I changed the default browser, but Edge still opens for certain links.
Some file types (like .pdf, .svg, or .webp) are associated with Edge by default. You need to change the default app for each file type. In Default apps, click on Edge, then click each file type and choose your preferred app.

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

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