How to Disable Edge on Windows 11: Steps to Change Defaults & Uninstall

Microsoft actively pushes the Edge browser towards users, but there are ways to stop it

Browsers » Edge

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by Loredana Harsana 

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how to disable edge in windows 11
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If you want to disable Edge on Windows 11, this article is for you.

Microsoft Edge is the default browser on Windows 11, but many users don’t like it. Even though it went through a major overhaul, some are still determined not to switch to it. If that’s you, keep reading.

How can I disable Microsoft Edge in Windows 11?

1. Change file associations

  1. Click Start and select Settings from the menu.
    settings option in start menu
  2. Navigate to Apps in the left pane. In the right pane, select Default apps.
    default app settings
  3. Select Microsoft Edge from the list of apps.
    microsoft edge app settings
  4. Select the first file type.
    select edge format
  5. You’ll get a message asking you not to switch. Choose Switch anyway.
    switch anyway edge
  6. Select the desired browser and click OK.
    browser select
  7. Now select the next file type on the list, and choose your desired browser.
    file type edge
  8. Repeat this step until you’ve replaced all instances of Microsoft Edge.

This method won’t disable Microsoft Edge, but it will change all file associations and stop it from working as a default web browser.

2. Rename the Microsoft Edge installation directory

  1. Open File Explorer. File Explorer on Windows 11
  2. Go to the following directory: C:\Windows\SystemApps
  3. Locate the Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe directory.
    edge directory
  4. Right-click it and rename it to DISABLED_Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
    edge rename folder

If you want to revert the changes after completing the above procedure, just rename the directory back to its original name.

3. Use PowerShell

  1. Right-click the Start icon and select Windows Terminal (Admin).windows terminal
  2. Type the following command and press Enter:
    • Get-AppxPackage MicrosoftEdge | Remove-AppxPackagemicrosoft edge remove app package powershell command
  3. Wait for the process to complete and restart your PC.

Using Powershell will completely remove the app from your computer. However, you might have to keep it in check.

Since Edge is a Microsoft application, Windows updates or other system processes might reinstall it. 

Why does Edge make it hard to change your default browser?

Microsoft made changing the default applications in Windows 11 a bit different. When you start a new browser, you’ll have an option to make it a default one.

If you ignore this message, you’ll have to manually assign each file type to work with the desired browser. This is a lengthy process, and it can take a couple of minutes to complete.

In previous versions of Windows, you just had to change the default web browser, and the file associations would be changed automatically.

This isn’t the case anymore, and we don’t know why did Microsoft make this change, but we feel that this is a step in the wrong direction.

Can Microsoft Edge work with Chrome extensions?

Microsoft Edge is built on a Chromium engine, and it fully supports most Chrome extensions. This feature isn’t enabled by default, but you can enable it by doing as described below and keep using this browser if this was your main concern:

  1. Open Microsoft Edge.
  2. Click the Menu icon in the top right corner and choose Extensions.
    extensions edge
  3. Now select Allow extensions from other stores.
    allow extensions edge
  4. A confirmation dialog will appear. Click on Allow.
    allow extensions edge

Microsoft Edge can sometimes be persistent, but we hope that you managed to disable it by following the instructions above.

How to disable the Microsoft Edge update?

  1. Press Win + E to open File Explorer.
  2. Go to the following location: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate
  3. Right-click on MicrosoftEdgeUpdate and click on Rename icon.clicking rename button for msedgeupdate windows 11
  4. Give it a name something like disabledMicrosoftEdgeUpdate or something else.microsoft edge update renamed

In this way, you can disable auto-update for Microsoft Edge. Now, even if you open Edge and go to its update section, it will not work. To get back the auto-update feature, undo the changes.

Changing the file associations is the best way to stop using Edge, and although it can take a while, it will help you achieve your goal.

Even more, there are ways to stop Edge from running automatically in the background.

However, if you aren’t sure that this should be your next move, also check out our guide on how to fix Microsoft Edge problems on Windows 11. Maybe you’ll find it suitable for you after all.

If you have any questions, leave a comment below.

More about the topics: Microsoft Edge issues, Windows 11

Loredana Harsana

Loredana Harsana Shield

Windows Software Expert

Loredana is a passionate writer with a keen interest in PC software and technology. She started off writing about mobile phones back when Samsung Galaxy S II was on top of the world and she fell in love with tech of all sorts. Whenever she’s not at her work desk, you'll find her enjoying refreshing tea flavors, spilling stories on paper, and listening to the radio.

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