How To Stop Microsoft Edge From Running in Background
Try uninstalling some of your Edge extensions
- Microsoft Edge is quite a popular browser nowadays, but it has its fair share of issues.
- For example, users reported that sometime they notice Edge still running in the background after they close it.
- There is a simple way to prevent Edge from running in the background, and you will find it by reading below.
- To find out how to stop Edge from starting, use the Windows settings, and fix your issue with ease.
How do you stop Edge from running in the background?
Microsoft Edge is the default browser you get with Windows 10 and 11. Also, apart from everything else that the browser boasts of, there is one aspect of it that might not be to the liking of everybody – its tendency to run continuously in the background.
This is in tune with the Windows working principle, where apps run in the background. However, while that is nice, any unwanted app running in the background will eat up memory, rendering the entire system slow.
Even though it’s not an issue with any of the best Windows PCs on the market, it can be crippling for those running older PCs with limited RAM.
So if you are among those looking for ways to stop Edge from always running in the background, you are in the right place. The solutions listed below are helpful if you need assistance to stop Edge from running in the background.
Why does Edge keep opening in the background?
Microsoft explains this happens to be a conscious design decision. When the browser runs in the background, you can get software updates at all times.
Another important reason is for live notifications. While running in the background, you do not have to wait for the browser to be launched before receiving important notifications.
Quick Tip:
If you notice that Edge has a habit of continuously working in the background, or if it uses too much RAM, or has memory leaks, then maybe it is time you switch to a different browser, Opera.
One of this browser’s strong points is its low resource use, making it ideal if you are fed up with browsers that eat up your RAM while providing you with tools few other browsers dream of without the help of extensions.
Opera
Enjoy surfing the Internet with a browser that will stay closed once you exit it, and not run in the background without your knowledgeHow can I stop Microsoft Edge from running in the background?
- Why does Edge keep opening in the background?
- How can I stop Microsoft Edge from running in the background?
- 1. Use Windows Settings
- 1.1 Use Windows Settings on Windows 10
- 1.2 Use Windows Settings on Windows 11
- 2. Edit your Windows Registry
- How do I stop unnecessary background processes?
- Should I continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed?
1. Use Windows Settings
1.1 Use Windows Settings on Windows 10
- Click on the Start button on the home screen and select Settings.
- Go to the Privacy tab.
- On the right, you will see all the apps currently installed on your PC. All the apps would be set to run in the background. Locate Edge and disable it to prevent the app from running in the background.
1.2 Use Windows Settings on Windows 11
- Click on the Start menu and select the Settings app.
- On the left pane, select the Apps option, then select Apps & features from the right pane.
- Scroll down to any app and click the menu (the three vertical dots), then select Advanced options.
- Under the Background apps permissions menu, expand the dropdown list and select Never.
If Microsoft Edge keeps running in the background at the end of these steps, you should try the next solution.
2. Edit your Windows Registry
- Press the Windows key + R, type in regedit, and click Ok or hit Enter.
- Navigate to the following path:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\MicrosoftEdge\Main
- Go to the main folder, and right-click the empty area on the right side.
- Select New, choose the DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it AllowPrelaunch.
- Double-click this and set its value to 0.
- This should help you stop Microsoft Edge from running in the background.
How do I stop unnecessary background processes?
- Right-click on the Start menu and select the Task Manager.
- Click on the Startup tab.
- Click on any program and select the Disable button at the bottom right corner.
Once you complete these steps, on Startup, the processes associated with these apps will no longer run by default, and you will be able to conserve more system resources.
Should I continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed?
Running background extensions and apps has no malicious consequences on your computer. However, this may be too tasking on an older computer and will make the device lag.
Also, it would help if you only used apps and extensions that you trust regardless of whether or not they run in the background.
That’s it. In this article, we have shown you how on Windows 10/11, you can stop Edge from running in the background.
This is a straightforward process. There is no need to restart your system as well. The Edge browser (or any other app specified by you) won’t ever be bogging down your resources again.
Let us know if you are successful in stopping Edge Chromium from running in the background. And if you have any other suggestions or questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below.
