Removing Microsoft Edge from Windows 11 might sound intimidating, but honestly, it’s not as complicated as it seems—if you know what commands to run and where to click. A lot of folks want to ditch it because it’s baked into the OS, and let’s face it, sometimes it just gets in the way or feels annoying. Using a few commands in PowerShell or Command Prompt can get rid of it for good. Just a heads-up: be careful with these commands, because if you mess up, you might end up uninstalling something important or causing other weird glitches. But if you follow the steps carefully, it’s doable and pretty straightforward.
How to Uninstall Edge on Windows 11
This guide walks through the process of getting rid of Microsoft Edge if you’ve just about had enough. Keep in mind, doing this will remove Edge from your system entirely—no more shortcuts, no more updates, and no more built-in browser. It’s useful if you prefer Chrome, Firefox, or whatever else, and want to free up some space (Edge isn’t huge, but why not give it the boot if you don’t need it?).
Open PowerShell as an Administrator
Instead of Command Prompt, a lot more people are using PowerShell now, and it’s just as easy. Find PowerShell in the Start menu, right-click it, and choose Run as administrator. This is necessary—Windows doesn’t let you just start deleting stuff unless you have admin rights. Sometimes, on some setups, running PowerShell as admin is the key to ensuring the commands actually work without errors. You might see a UAC prompt asking if you wanna allow it—say yes.
Navigate to the Edge Application Directory
Once PowerShell is open, you’ll want to head to where Edge is installed. Usually, it’s under C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application. To jump there, type:
cd "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application"Press Enter. Note that if the path has spaces, you need quotes around it, or else it’ll yell at you. If you’re not sure where, you can just navigate through Explorer, right-click on the Edge folder, copy it, and then use that path.
Check Which Version of Edge Is Installed
Type dir and hit Enter. You should see folders named after the version numbers, like “115.0.172” or similar. Find the latest one—that’s the one to target. For example, if you see folders like “115.0.172.0” and “114.0.182,” pick the latest one.
If things look confusing, just note down the full folder name.
Navigate Into the Right Version Folder
Next, you’ll want to go into that version folder. Type:
cd [version-folder name]replace [version-folder name] with what you just noted. For example:
cd 115.0.172.0Press Enter. Now you’re inside the folder where Edge’s setup files are stored.
Run the Uninstall Shortcut
This is the weird part. Inside this folder, you might find a file called setup.exe. To uninstall Edge, run this command:
.\setup.exe --uninstall --system-level --verbose-logging --force-uninstallAgain, type it exactly. The double dots and everything. Hit Enter and watch it do its thing. On some setups, it might take a minute or so, and sometimes it doesn’t seem to do much at first, but then you check your programs list and… bang, no Edge.
Just a quick note: on some machines, you might need to disable Windows Defender or temporarily turn off some antivirus if it freaks out about the uninstall process. That’s because Windows likes to protect itself a bit—especially with built-in stuff like Edge.
Tips for Uninstalling Edge on Windows 11
- Make sure you have another browser installed first—Chrome, Firefox, whatever—so your internet doesn’t get cut off.
- Close all Edge windows before starting, just in case. Weird stuff happens if Edge is open while you try to uninstall.
- If the command isn’t working, double-check for typos or missing spaces. It’s sensitive, and Windows will reject sloppy commands.
- Sometimes, a reboot after uninstall helps clear out leftover files or prevents weird bugs.
- Keep your system updated; sometimes Microsoft releases patches that fix uninstall issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Edge be reinstalled after uninstalling?
Yep. You just download it again from Microsoft’s website or through Windows Update. But if you’re really done with it, might as well just block its updates with some custom settings.
Will deleting Edge break the OS or prevent Windows updates?
Not exactly. Uninstalling the browser doesn’t stop Windows from updating. It’s safe, just kinda freeing up space and removing something that might be blocking your preferred browser.
Is this safe? What about losing data?
Generally, yes. Just ensure you don’t delete anything important. Removing Edge only deletes the app, not your data or bookmarks unless you decide to wipe those too.
Does uninstalling Edge free up a bunch of space?
Not tons, but it can reclaim a few hundred MBs, which for some people is enough motivation.
Is there an easier way without Command Prompt?
Honestly, not really. Microsoft has made it pretty hard to uninstall Edge with just the GUI anymore. PowerShell or command-line tricks are the way to go.
Summary
- Run PowerShell or Command Prompt as Admin.
- Navigate to
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application. - Check the installed version folders with
dir. - Enter the latest version folder.
- Run
.\setup.exe --uninstall --system-level --verbose-logging --force-uninstall. - Reboot if needed, and check if Edge is gone.
Wrap-up
Uninstalling Edge isn’t exactly built into Windows in a user-friendly way, but once you get the hang of these commands, it’s not too bad. Just make sure you’ve got another browser ready, because once Edge is gone, you’ll be relying on your chosen one. On one setup it worked right away, on another, I had to reboot a couple times, but overall—once it’s done, it’s done. Fingers crossed this helps someone save a bit of time or frustration—worked for me, hope it works for you too.