Looking to uninstall Microsoft Edge from your Windows 11 PC? Fair dinkum, it’s a bit of a pain because Windows sort of treats Edge as part of the system. But it’s definitely doable — if you’re happy to tinker a bit with the command line. Here’s a quick rundown of what has worked for some folks, although you might run into a few quirks along the way.
How to Uninstall Edge from Windows 11
Basically, you’ll need to open the Command Prompt as an admin and point it to the folder where Edge’s installer is sitting. This isn’t your usual ‘Apps & features’ removal — since Edge is built into Windows, a direct uninstall takes a bit of a workaround.
Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator
Hit Search, type `cmd`, right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator. Getting admin rights is deadset important — without it, you might get stuck or see error messages that make no sense.
It’s a bit dodgy, but on some machines, you might need to do this twice — open it normally, then open it again as admin, just to be sure. Windows likes to make things more difficult than they need to be, of course.
Step 2: Find the Microsoft Edge Folder
Type this into the command line: cd "%PROGRAMFILES(X86)%\Microsoft\Edge\Application"
Because there are multiple versions and folders, you’ll need to find the right one. The folder name will look like this: `xx.xx.xx.xxx`. To see what’s installed, you can check via File Explorer or run:
dir "%PROGRAMFILES(X86)%\Microsoft\Edge\Application"This will show all the installed versions. Then, CD into that folder, like cd "%PROGRAMFILES(X86)%\Microsoft\Edge\Application\xx.xx.xx.xxx".
If you can’t find the folder, maybe Edge was installed differently — double-check your directories in Explorer.
Step 3: Uninstall Microsoft Edge
Run this command: setup.exe --uninstall --system-level --verbose-logging --force-uninstall
Basically, you’re telling the installer to nuke Edge at the system level. Some folks say it works fine, but don’t be surprised if it hiccups on certain updates or newer versions — Windows keeps Edge as a backup, just in case.
Step 4: Confirm the Uninstallation
Check if Edge’s really gone — look for it in Start, or just try opening a web link. If it’s disappeared, nice one! If it’s still there, a reboot or two might sort it out.
On some setups, Edge can be stubborn and only clear out after a restart, so don’t skip that step. Windows loves to reinstall or revert changes at reboot, because why not?
Step 5: Restart Your Computer
If Edge is still hanging around after you’ve tried uninstalling, give your PC a proper restart. This helps finish the job and clears out any lingering background processes. Sometimes, Edge might look gone, but some background services still keep a ghost of it alive until you reboot.
Once you’ve gone through these steps, Edge shouldn’t bother you anymore. You’re free to install your go-to browser, and Windows won’t default back to Edge as often (though updates might sneak it back in, so keep an eye). And if you want Edge back later, just head over to the Microsoft Edge download page.
Tips for Uninstalling Edge from Windows 11
- Back up your bookmarks or settings if you give a stuff — Edge stores some sync info you might want later.
- Be aware that removing Edge *can* cause a few system quirks, especially if Windows updates itself. Sometimes updates will just reinstall Edge anyway.
- Have another browser ready to go — some Windows apps prefer using Edge for their browsing, so switching is handy.
- If you change your mind, reinstalling isn’t a big drama — just grab it from Microsoft’s site.
- There are scripts and tools online claiming to do this automatically, but they can be hit or miss — use them at your own risk, and back up first just in case.
FAQs
Can I reinstall Microsoft Edge after uninstalling it?
Absolutely. Just head to the Microsoft Edge download page and install it like any other app. Dead easy.
Does removing Edge mess with Windows updates?
Generally not, but some Outlook and other Windows apps rely on Edge. Removing it might cause the odd glitch or warning. Also, updates might push Edge back onto your system, so keep an eye out.
Will uninstalling Edge stuff up other apps?
Most apps are fine — they use standard browsers or fetch web content differently. But a few Windows features might act up if Edge’s not around anymore.
Is there a way to just hide or disable Edge without uninstalling it?
Yeah, setting your preferred browser as default is the easiest way. Windows will mostly leave Edge alone after that. Complete removal requires manual uninstallation, which is the more involved route we covered.
Is this process the same for Windows 10?
More or less, but some folder paths or commands might differ slightly. The main idea’s the same — need admin rights, find the right folder, then run the uninstall commands.
Summary
- Open Command Prompt as Admin
- Locate and go to the Edge folder
- Run the uninstall command
- Reboot your PC
- Check if it’s really gone
Hope this saves you a few hours! Just bear in mind, Edge is pretty ingrained in Windows — so it might pop back after updates or if you’re not careful. But now you know what to do. Cheers!