Uninstalling Microsoft Edge in Windows 11 isn’t as straightforward as clicking “Uninstall.” Because it’s baked into the OS, you might find that traditional methods won’t do the trick. But hey, with a few commands in the Command Prompt, it’s totally doable—and yes, it’s pretty safe if you follow the steps carefully. Just a heads-up, it’s not a one-click job, and some patience might be needed, especially for the first try. Plus, doing this can help streamline your system if you really prefer using a different browser or just want to free up some space from this built-in app.
How to Uninstall Edge in Windows 11
Open Command Prompt as Administrator
First step, grab that Command Prompt. Hit Windows + S, type “cmd, ” then right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator. This is crucial because Windows locks down certain system apps unless you’re in admin mode. A pop-up may ask for permission, so click ‘Yes’.On some setups, it’s a bit finicky — sometimes it needs a couple of tries or a reboot before permissions stabilize.
Locate the Edge Installation Folder
Next, type this command and press Enter: cd "%PROGRAMFILES(X86)%\Microsoft\Edge\Application". This should take you to the folder where Edge lives. If it doesn’t, check your system: maybe Edge was installed elsewhere, or the folder has a different structure. On some machines, this folder is deeply buried or named slightly differently depending on Windows updates, so don’t panic if it’s a little different. Adjust the command accordingly.
Find the Edge Version Number
Type dir and hit Enter. You should see a list of folders named with version numbers—like “94.0.992.47” or so. Kids, this is important—because the uninstaller needs that version number to work. Jot it down or just remember it, because you’ll need it next.
Access the Installer Folder
Now, change directories to the installer version folder: cd [version]Installer. Replace [version] with the actual folder name. If you copied “94.0.992.47, ” the command becomes cd 94.0.992.47\Installer. Sometimes Windows throws a fit if you miss a backslash or typo, so double-check it. In that folder, you’ll find the setup files needed to uninstall Edge.
Run the Uninstall Command
Finally, type in this command and press Enter: setup.exe --uninstall --system-level --verbose-logging --force-uninstall. This tells Edge to perform a full uninstall at the system level, with detailed logging in case something goes wrong. Usually, after a few seconds, you’ll see some progress or a success message. On some machines, it teeters on weird, and you might need to run the command again or restart the system, but generally, this works nicely.
Once finished, Edge should disappear from your system. Keep in mind, your default browser might reset or change, so be prepared to set a new one if needed. Also, if you decide later to bring Edge back, it’s super easy — just grab it from the Microsoft Edge download page.
Tips for Uninstalling Edge in Windows 11
- Always back up stuff just in case — weird things can happen, and better safe than sorry.
- Make sure you run Command Prompt as admin or you’ll run into permission issues.
- Carefully check the version folder names; a typo here and the command bombs.
- If things go sideways, sometimes a reboot helps, or trying the command again.
- And yeah, if you change your mind, reinstalling Edge from the Microsoft Store is a breeze.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reinstall Edge later?
Absolutely. Just download it again from the Microsoft Edge site.
Will removing Edge break Windows?
Not really, but you might need to set a different browser as your default afterward. Windows is pretty flexible today.
Is using Command Prompt risky here?
If you follow instructions carefully, it’s safe. Windows commands can be confusing if you’re not paying attention, so double-check what you’re typing.
What if I get errors during uninstallation?
Make sure you run the Command Prompt as administrator, and verify your folder paths and version number. Sometimes, a quick reboot or re-trying does the trick, too.
Should I use third-party tools?
Honestly, sticking with the command-line method is safer — third-party tools can be risky and might cause more problems than they solve.
Summary
- Open Command Prompt as admin
- Navigate to the Edge folder
- Identify your Edge version
- Go into the Installer folder
- Run the uninstall command
Wrap-up
Removing Edge isn’t the prettiest process, but it’s definitely doable with some patience. Doing it through the command line keeps things under control, and often it’s the only way because of how tightly integrated Edge is into Windows 11. If you’re not into Microsoft’s built-in browser or just want a cleaner setup, these steps should help you get there. Remember, Windows still plays nice if you replace Edge with something like Chrome, Firefox, or Opera — so pick what feels right and make your system yours. Fingers crossed this helps someone finally get that unwanted Edge outta the way.