Microsoft Edge is integrated into Windows 11, and whether it can be uninstalled through Settings depends on the Windows build, region, and Microsoft’s current system configuration. If Windows does not provide a supported Uninstall option, forcing Edge out with scripts can interfere with components that depend on Microsoft browser technologies.
Check whether Windows offers an uninstall option
- Open Settings.
- Select Apps > Installed apps.
- Find Microsoft Edge.
- Open its available menu.
- If Windows provides an active Uninstall option, follow the supported prompts.
If Edge cannot be uninstalled
Install the browser you prefer, then open Settings > Apps > Default apps and make it the default for the file and link types you use. You can also unpin Edge from Start or the taskbar if the goal is simply to keep it out of your normal workflow.
Avoid force-removal scripts
Commands and third-party tools that delete Edge files or packages can break Windows features, servicing, or applications that rely on Edge/WebView components. They can also be undone by later Windows updates. Use the uninstall controls Windows itself exposes for your configuration.
Changing the default browser is a separate task
Removing or hiding Edge does not guarantee that every PDF, HTTP/HTTPS link, or Microsoft application will use another browser. Review Default apps and test ordinary links after making the change.
If Edge is causing a technical problem rather than simply being unwanted, repairing or resetting the browser may solve the issue without removing a Windows component.
Who can uninstall Edge?
In the European Economic Area (EEA), Microsoft lets Windows 11 users uninstall Edge through Settings on supported versions, following EU Digital Markets Act rules. In most other regions, the Uninstall button for Microsoft Edge is greyed out because Microsoft treats it as part of Windows.
Make another browser your default
- Install the browser you want to use.
- Open Settings > Apps > Default apps.
- Click your new browser in the list.
- Click Set default at the top. This assigns common web link and file types to it.
- Check the list below for any types, such as .pdf, that still open in Edge, and change them if you want.
Keep Edge from running in the background
Open Edge, go to Settings > System and performance, and turn off Startup boost and Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed. Edge then stays closed unless you open it.
Hide Edge from view
- Right-click the Edge icon on the taskbar and choose Unpin from taskbar.
- Right-click Edge in the Start menu and choose Unpin from Start.
- Delete the Edge shortcut from the desktop if there is one.
Leave WebView2 alone
You may see Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime in your app list. It’s a separate component that many apps, including parts of Office and Teams, use to display web content. Removing it can break those apps, even if you no longer use the Edge browser.
Frequently asked questions
Will Windows Update reinstall Edge?
In regions where Edge can’t be uninstalled, updates keep it on the system. Changing your default browser is the reliable way to avoid using it.
Can I just disable Edge?
See how to disable Microsoft Edge on Windows 11. Before switching browsers, you may want to clear Edge’s cache and cookies.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.