How to Uninstall Microsoft Edge in Windows 11

How to remove Microsoft Edge depends on where your PC was set up. In the European Economic Area (EEA), Windows 11 lets you uninstall Edge from Settings → Apps → Installed apps like any other app. Everywhere else, Microsoft treats Edge as part of Windows and the Uninstall button is greyed out, so the supported option is to set a different default browser and switch off Edge's background features.

This guide covers both cases, explains what stays on your PC after Edge is gone, and why forced removal methods cause more trouble than they solve.

Can You Uninstall Microsoft Edge in Windows 11?

Yes, but only on PCs set up with an EEA region. Microsoft made Edge removable in the EEA as part of its changes for the EU Digital Markets Act, and it set 6 March 2024 as the date by which Windows 11 version 23H2 and Windows 10 version 22H2 PCs in the EEA would be compliant, as described in the Windows Insider blog post on Digital Markets Act changes.

Outside the EEA, Microsoft's support article Why can't I uninstall Microsoft Edge? says the default browser is an essential component of the operating system, because Windows itself relies on web technology. You can install other browsers and change your default at any time, but Edge stays installed.

How to Remove Microsoft Edge in the EEA

Use the normal app uninstall in Settings. This is the only removal method Microsoft supports, and it keeps Windows Update working normally.

1. Install your replacement browser first and confirm it opens, so you are not left without a way to browse.
2. Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
3. Type Edge in the search box.
4. Select the three dots next to Microsoft Edge and choose Uninstall.
5. Confirm with Uninstall and follow any prompts.
6. Restart the PC, then set your new browser as default (see below).

If the Uninstall option is greyed out on a PC you bought in Europe, the device was probably set up with a non-EEA region. Windows uses the region you chose during the first setup screens, and Microsoft states it can only be changed by resetting the PC. Changing the region in Settings afterwards does not unlock Edge removal. If you decide a reset is worth it, our guide to clean install vs reset explains which option keeps your files.

What Happens to WebView2 When You Remove Edge?

Removing the Edge browser does not remove the Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime, and you should leave WebView2 installed. WebView2 is a separate component that lets other apps display web content inside their own windows.

Microsoft's WebView2 distribution documentation states that the Evergreen WebView2 Runtime is included as part of Windows 11 and that production apps use the Runtime, not the Edge browser, so Edge is not a prerequisite. The cause and effect is practical: many Microsoft and third-party apps, such as the new Outlook for Windows, draw some or all of their screens with WebView2. Deleting it with an unofficial tool can leave those apps blank or unable to start.

How Do I Stop Using Edge If I Can't Uninstall It?

Set another browser as default and switch off the Edge features that run in the background. Edge remains installed, but it stops opening links and using resources when you are not using it.

1. Install your preferred browser and sign in if you use sync.
2. Open Settings → Apps → Default apps.
3. Select your new browser in the list.
4. Select Set default at the top of the page. Windows assigns the main web link and file types to that browser.
5. Open Edge once, go to Settings → System and performance and turn off Startup boost and Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed.
6. Right-click the Edge icon on the taskbar and select Unpin from taskbar.

Some Windows features, such as certain help links and widget content, may still open in Edge regardless of your default. That is expected behaviour on non-EEA PCs and not a sign that the default browser setting failed.

How Do I Uninstall Microsoft Edge on Windows 10?

The rules match Windows 11: Windows 10 version 22H2 PCs set up in the EEA can uninstall Edge from Settings → Apps → Apps & features, and other PCs cannot. The Windows 10 menu path is slightly different, but the steps are otherwise the same.

Windows 10 reached end of support on 14 October 2025. Consumers can enrol in Extended Security Updates, now available until 12 October 2027, as our Windows 10 ESU guide explains. If you are tidying up an old Windows 10 PC, moving to a supported version is a better long-term step than spending time on browser removal.

Is It Safe to Force-Remove Edge with Scripts?

No supported method exists outside the EEA, and forced removal carries real risks. Scripts and tools that delete Edge's folders, edit protected registry keys or run its installer with hidden switches work by bypassing Windows' own protections.

The usual results are that Windows Update or a feature update reinstalls Edge, apps that relied on shared components break, or updates start failing because Windows finds files missing. Microsoft also states it will keep updating Edge through the browser installer and Windows Update, so removal by force rarely lasts. If you want a leaner PC, our guide on how to debloat Windows 11 safely covers reversible, built-in methods, and you can keep the browser you do use up to date with winget upgrade --all.

A Common Mistake We See

The mistake we see most is someone running a "remove Edge" script, then finding that updates fail or some apps open to a blank window, and assuming the Windows licence or installation is faulty. The licence is fine; the damage comes from missing components the script removed.

If that has already happened, a Windows 11 repair install usually restores the missing files without deleting your apps or documents. Going forward, use the default browser setting instead of removal on non-EEA PCs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I delete Microsoft Edge completely?

On a Windows 11 or Windows 10 22H2 PC set up in the EEA, go to Settings → Apps → Installed apps, find Microsoft Edge and select Uninstall. Outside the EEA, Microsoft does not support deleting Edge. Set another browser as default instead, and leave the separate WebView2 Runtime installed.

Why is the Microsoft Edge Uninstall button greyed out?

The Uninstall button is greyed out because your PC was set up with a region outside the EEA, where Microsoft treats Edge as an essential part of Windows. The region is fixed at first setup, so changing it later in Settings does not unlock removal; only a reset with an EEA region selected does.

Will Windows Update reinstall Microsoft Edge?

On EEA PCs, removing Edge through Settings is the supported route, so it is the one most likely to stick. On other PCs, Microsoft continues to update Edge through Windows Update and its own installer, so Edge removed by unofficial scripts often comes back after a cumulative or feature update.

Does removing Edge make Windows 11 faster?

Usually not noticeably. Edge only uses significant memory and processor time when it is running, and turning off Startup boost and background apps stops most of that. Uninstalling it frees some disk space, but performance differences on a typical PC are small.

Can I uninstall the Microsoft Edge browser and keep WebView2?

Yes, and you should. The supported uninstall in the EEA removes the browser only. WebView2 is a separate runtime that other apps need to show web content. Microsoft includes it as part of Windows 11, so leave it in place even if you never use Edge.

Do I need Edge to download another browser?

On a new PC you need some browser to download your first replacement, and Edge is the one already installed. Alternatively, you can install some browsers from the Microsoft Store or with a WinGet command in Terminal. Install your replacement before removing Edge so you are never without a working browser.

Conclusion

How to remove Microsoft Edge comes down to your PC's region: in the EEA, uninstall it from Settings; elsewhere, set a new default browser and disable Edge's background features. Leave WebView2 alone and avoid forced-removal scripts that break updates. If you are setting up a new PC and want a clean start, see our Windows 11 licences.

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