How to Uninstall Edge on Windows 11

Microsoft Edge comes built into Windows 11, and for most people the normal Uninstall button is grayed out. According to Microsoft’s support article, Edge is a core part of Windows because other apps rely on its web platform, so Microsoft doesn’t support removing it in most regions. There are still a few things you can do: uninstall it normally if you live in the European Economic Area (EEA), try the command-line uninstaller, or make Edge stay out of your way by switching your default browser and turning off its background features.

This guide covers each option, what to expect, and how to fix the common problems. Windows 10 works differently, so check uninstalling Microsoft Edge from Windows 10 if you’re on the older OS.

Option 1: Uninstall Edge from Settings (EEA Only)

Since 2024, Windows 11 in the European Economic Area lets you remove Edge like any other app, as part of Microsoft’s changes for the EU Digital Markets Act. If your PC’s region is set to an EEA country, try this first:

1. Open Settings with Windows + I.
2. Go to Apps > Installed apps.
3. Search for Microsoft Edge.
4. Click the three-dot menu next to it and choose Uninstall, then confirm.

If the Uninstall option is grayed out, your device isn’t set up as an EEA device, and you’ll need one of the other options below. Changing the region in Settings afterward usually isn’t enough, because Windows decides this when it’s first set up.

Option 2: Try the Command-Line Uninstaller

Edge includes its own setup program, and older guides use it to force an uninstall. Be aware that on current versions of Edge outside the EEA, this command often runs without doing anything, and Windows Update can reinstall Edge later. Only try it if you understand the risk, and install another browser first.

1. Install another browser. Download and install the browser you plan to use, such as Chrome or Firefox, before you remove Edge. Without a browser, you’ll have no easy way to download one.
2. Find your Edge version number. Open Edge, go to Settings > About Microsoft Edge, and note the version number (for example, 129.0.2792.65). You can also open File Explorer and look in C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application, where the version appears as a folder name.
3. Open Command Prompt as administrator. Click Start, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and choose Run as administrator. Click Yes on the User Account Control prompt.
4. Go to the installer folder. Type the following, replacing the version number with yours, and press Enter: cd "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\129.0.2792.65\Installer"
5. Run the uninstall command. Type this command and press Enter: setup.exe --uninstall --system-level --verbose-logging --force-uninstall

Wait a minute, then check whether Edge is still in the Start menu. If it’s gone, the command worked. If nothing changed, Edge’s uninstaller blocked the removal, which is common outside the EEA. Use Option 3 instead.

Option 3: Make Edge Stay Out of Your Way

For most Windows 11 users, this is the most reliable approach. Edge stays installed, but it stops opening on its own and stops running in the background.

Change Your Default Browser

1. Open Settings > Apps > Default apps.
2. Search for and select the browser you want to use.
3. Click Set default at the top of the page.
4. Check that .htm, .html, HTTP, and HTTPS now list your new browser.

Stop Edge from Running in the Background

1. Open Edge and go to Settings > System and performance.
2. Turn off Startup boost.
3. Turn off Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed.

Then open Settings > Apps > Startup in Windows and turn off Microsoft Edge if it’s listed.

Remove Edge Shortcuts

Right-click Edge on the taskbar and choose Unpin from taskbar. Right-click it in the Start menu and choose Unpin from Start, and delete the desktop shortcut if there is one. This hides Edge without breaking anything.

Don’t Remove Microsoft Edge WebView2

You’ll also see Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime in Installed apps. It isn’t the browser. Many apps, including parts of Microsoft 365, the new Outlook, and Windows widgets, use it to display web content. Removing it can break those apps, so leave it installed even if you remove Edge.

Troubleshooting

The Uninstall Button Is Grayed Out

This is expected outside the EEA. Microsoft blocks removing Edge through Settings on those devices. Use Option 3 to keep it out of the way. Other apps follow different rules, so see how to uninstall a program in Windows 11 for anything that isn’t a browser.

The Command Runs but Edge Is Still There

Check that Command Prompt was opened as administrator and that the version number in the path matches the folder exactly. If both are right and Edge remains, the uninstaller is refusing the request, and there isn’t a supported way around it.

Edge Came Back After an Update

Windows Update and Edge’s own updater can reinstall Edge, because Microsoft treats it as part of Windows. Setting another browser as the default and turning off Edge’s startup features keeps it from getting in your way even if it returns.

Some Links Still Open in Edge

A few parts of Windows, such as certain links in Help or Widgets, may still open in Edge outside the EEA. Make sure your default browser is set for every link type under Settings > Apps > Default apps. Outlook and Teams have their own link setting, which is covered along with the Settings steps in changing the default browser in Windows 11.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reinstall Edge after uninstalling it?

Yes. Download it again from Microsoft’s Edge website, or let Windows Update reinstall it.

Will uninstalling Edge affect Windows 11?

It can. Other apps rely on Edge’s web platform. Removing it on a device where that isn’t supported may cause problems with some Windows features, which is why Option 3 is safer for most people.

Do I need administrative rights to uninstall Edge?

Yes. Both the Settings method in the EEA and the command-line method need an administrator account.

Is it safe to uninstall Edge?

In the EEA, using the Uninstall button in Settings is supported. Forcing it off elsewhere isn’t supported by Microsoft, so install another browser first and keep WebView2 installed.

Can I stop Windows from reinstalling Edge?

Not reliably on a home PC. Changing your default browser and turning off Startup boost is the simplest way to make Edge irrelevant without fighting Windows Update.

Need a replacement browser first? Here’s how to install Firefox on Windows 11.