How to Get Rid of Edge on Windows

Microsoft Edge is integrated with Windows on many computers, so it may not be removable like an ordinary app. What you can do depends on your Windows version, device configuration, and the policies set by a workplace or school administrator. Before changing anything, decide whether you want to uninstall Edge, stop it opening automatically, or simply remove its visible shortcuts. Those are different tasks, and changing the default browser does not uninstall Edge.

What You’ll Need

A Windows account that can install or remove apps; administrator permission may be required.
Another browser installed if you want to use the web after changing defaults.
Access to Windows Settings. Menu names and locations can differ slightly by Windows version.

Step-by-Step

Save important browser data. If you might need bookmarks, passwords, or browsing information later, export or sync what you want to keep before removing Edge. In Edge, look in its settings for profile, favorites, or data-export options; the exact labels can vary by version. Confirm your backup is available somewhere other than the Edge profile you plan to remove.
Install and check another browser. Download a browser from its official publisher or use one already on your PC. Open it once and make sure it works. If you rely on saved logins or bookmarks, import them before proceeding, or keep a separate backup. Do not uninstall Edge first if you have no working alternative.
Try the normal uninstall route. Open Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Find Microsoft Edge, select the three-dot menu beside it, and choose Uninstall if that option is available. Confirm the prompt and follow the on-screen instructions. The Settings path may differ slightly by Windows version.
Restart and verify. If Windows asks you to restart, save your work and do so. Then check Installed apps to see whether Edge is gone. Test your alternative browser and open a few links. Windows updates or system features may restore or require browser components, so an available uninstall does not guarantee Edge will remain absent forever.
If Uninstall is unavailable, stop there. A disabled or missing button usually means your Windows installation does not allow ordinary removal, or an administrator controls the device. Do not try to force removal with scripts, registry edits, third-party uninstallers, or by deleting program folders. These approaches can break updates, system features, or sign-in and support functions.
Change your default browser instead. Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps, select your preferred browser, and choose the option to make it the default. If Windows shows separate file or link types, assign common web types such as HTTP and HTTPS to that browser as well. Names and prompts vary slightly by version. This changes where many links open, but Edge remains installed.
Turn off Edge at startup if needed. In Edge, open Settings and look for System and performance or similar options. Turn off startup boost or the option to keep background extensions and apps running after Edge closes, if those controls appear. You can also review Settings > Apps > Startup and disable Edge there if it is listed. Available controls vary by version and device policy.
Remove shortcuts, not system files. Unpin Edge from the taskbar or Start menu by right-clicking its icon and choosing the relevant unpin option. You can delete a shortcut you created on the desktop. Avoid removing folders from Program Files or changing Windows components; these actions are not a safe substitute for uninstalling the app.

Common Mistakes

Confusing the default with installation: Making another browser the default does not delete Edge. It only changes which app handles supported links.
Deleting Edge folders manually: This can leave broken entries and interfere with repairs or updates. Use Settings if uninstall is supported; otherwise use the safer alternatives above.
Using instructions for a different device: A work-managed PC, a special Windows configuration, or a different release may have different controls. Do not assume a method that worked on another computer is suitable for yours.
Forgetting browser data: Removing the app may make locally stored data harder to access. Back up or move anything important before making changes.
Expecting every link to follow the default: Some Windows features or applications may still open web content in Edge, even after you set another default. That does not necessarily mean the default setting failed.

Tips

Keep Edge installed if you are unsure whether a Windows feature or organization depends on it. You can hide its icons and use a different browser without removing system files.
If you use a managed work or school computer, ask its IT administrator before changing apps or defaults. Device policy may control both settings and uninstall options.
After changing defaults, test links from email, documents, and the Start menu. If one still opens Edge, check the relevant default-app assignments rather than trying to delete Edge manually.
Use Windows Update and the normal Settings app for maintenance. Avoid unofficial tools that promise to strip built-in Windows apps, especially if they require disabling security features.

Troubleshooting

There is no Uninstall button. This is common on Windows installations where Edge is treated as a built-in component. You generally cannot remove it through the supported Settings interface. Set another browser as default, disable startup options where available, and unpin Edge instead.

The uninstall option is grayed out or asks for permission. Sign in with an administrator account if you own and manage the PC. On a work- or school-managed device, contact the administrator rather than trying to bypass the restriction.

Edge returns or appears after an update. Windows servicing may reinstall or restore components. Check Installed apps and your default-browser settings again. If uninstall is no longer offered, use the non-destructive alternatives; do not repeatedly delete program files.

Links still open in Edge. Revisit Settings > Apps > Default apps and assign the preferred browser to HTTP and HTTPS, along with other web file types Windows lists. Some Windows features may continue to use Edge by design.

Your alternative browser is missing from the list. Install it from its official source, open it once, then return to Default apps. If it still does not appear, restart Windows and check again, or use that browser’s own settings to request the default-browser choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I completely uninstall Microsoft Edge?

Sometimes, if Windows shows an active uninstall option in Installed apps. On many PCs the option is unavailable because Edge is integrated with Windows or controlled by device policy.

Is it safe to remove Edge?

Use only the supported uninstall option offered by Windows. Avoid force-removal methods, which can interfere with system features, updates, or app links.

Will setting Chrome or another browser as default remove Edge?

No. It tells Windows to open many web links in the browser you chose, but Edge remains installed unless Windows lets you uninstall it separately.

Can I reinstall Edge if I remove it?

Availability depends on your Windows configuration. Check Windows Settings or Microsoft Support for the supported recovery or installation method for your device; do not use unofficial download sites.

Why does Edge open even though another browser is my default?

Some Windows features or individual apps may use Edge directly, and default assignments can be incomplete. Review the HTTP and HTTPS assignments; if only a particular feature opens Edge, that may be expected behavior.

Further reading: Microsoft Support. Details can change, so check the official page for anything that matters to you. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. How we write an answer.