How Can I Remove Microsoft Edge?

People on the Internet have been making jokes and memes about Internet Explorer for years. Realizing that IE was no longer viewed favorably, Microsoft discontinued it in 2015 and replaced it with a new browser called Edge. While it's certainly a improvement, many users still prefer alternatives, like Chrome and Firefox. Edge is deeply ingrained in the Windows 10 operating system, but that doesn't mean it's impossible to remove. Simply follow the steps below, and you can get Edge off of your computer for good. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.

How to Change Your Default Browser

Getting rid of Edge entirely is complicated, and may cause some problems. If you're looking for a simpler solution, try following these steps and changing your default browser.

  1. Type "default app settings" into Cortana
  2. Click "Enter"
  3. Under "Choose default apps," scroll down to "web browser"
  4. Click "Microsoft Edge"
  5. Click your preferred browser

Things to Consider Before Removing Edge

  • Deleting it entirely can cause stability issues
  • Changing your default browser is easier and less risky
  • You might change your mind and want to use Edge later
  • Cortana only works with Edge

How to Completely Remove Edge

  1. Open File Explorer & go to C:\Windows\SystemApps
  2. Right click on the folder Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe
  3. Select Properties, go to the Security tab, & click Advanced
  4. Click the Change Owner link & type Administrators into the text box
  5. Wait for an account name to appear, then click OK
  6. Click Change Permission & check the box to Replace Permissions
  7. Click Yes or OK on any questions that pop up
  8. Return to the folder properties window and click Edit
  9. Select administrator account & check the Allow box for full control
  10. Apply Changes and click OK
  11. Return to the Edge folder
  12. Locate the files MicrosoftEdge.exe & MicrosoftEdgeCP.exe
  13. Either re-name or delete them

What is Microsoft Edge?

Conclusion

If you change some of your permissions, it's possible to get Edge off of your computer. But the way Windows 10 is built means that this might cause some unexpected issues down the line. You might be better off just changing your default browser. If you do decide to delete Edge completely, consider making a backup first, just in case.

In Depth

If you recently upgraded to Windows 10, you might have noticed that there is a new browser that came with it. Microsoft Edge has replaced the old Internet Explorer. Originally given the codename Spartan, it is designed to be lightweight and its layout engine was built around competitive web standards. While it was built well, with additional features such as Cortana the assistant, you may be interested in using other programs for surfing the net. Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox are very popular among the array of choices end users get.

If you tested the aforementioned browsers, there's a good chance that you have decided to use them over Edge indefinitely. Since you have decided to leave Microsoft's browser behind, you might be thinking about removing it completely from your system. Unfortunately, it is deeply ingrained in your computer, and it is not recommended that you remove it. For a simple solution, just change your default browser to a different one.

However, if you still wish to do away with Edge, there are workarounds to this. Before we begin, please note though that removing it can possibly lead to stability issues in your system. If you still want to pursue this, do so at your own risk.

Before we begin, please note though that removing it can possibly lead to stability issues in your system.

#1. Edge is an integral part of Windows 10. This means that unlike almost every other application in your computer, you cannot simply go to the control panel and uninstall it from there. Therefore, we must apply a more unconventional approach. To begin, make sure you're using an administrator account. Open a file explorer such as "This PC." Then navigate to this directory: C:\Windows\SystemApps and look for a folder named Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.

#2. When you have seen the oddly-named folder, right click on it to access its properties. Here we shall find a few settings we need to tweak. Switch to the Security tab on the upper menu. There you will see the "Advanced" button for special permissions and advanced Settings. Press that. The first set of info shown refers to name and owner. You need to become the owner.

#3. Follow the link to change owner so it's no longer TrustedInstaller. A prompt will appear. Click the big text field and type the word "Administrators." Yes, this must be in plural form. Then press the button to the right of it to Check Names. Windows will then automatically detect and suggest for you the administrator account. If everything is in accordance so far, press OK to confirm changes. You will be taken back to the Advanced Security Settings panel.

If everything is in accordance so far, press OK to confirm changes.

#4. In this initial screen, click the Change Permission button. We should now see a check box to Replace Owner on the Subcontainers and Objects. Check that and press OK. From here on, keep selecting the affirmative option once prompted with a question. Head back in the folder properties panel and press Edit to Change Permissions.

#5. You will see the Group or User Names list. Click on the administrator account and check the Allow box for Full Control. Apply the changes and this window will automatically close when you've hit OK. You now have complete control over Edge's location. Do not delete it right away, or you will risk causing serious system stability issues. It is advised that you create a backup of it beforehand in case you ever decide to use it again, or unexpected consequences occur.

#6. Go to the Edge folder again and rename the MicrosoftEdge.exe and MicrosoftEdgeCP.exe files to anything else. Alternatively, you could also completely delete them. Consider just renaming them, though. If you ever want to use Edge again in the future, you just have to rename them back to their original file names. You may now also unpin the browser from your taskbar and start menu.