Although the Chromium-basedMicrosoft Edgeis the company’s flagship browser, you may want to learn how touninstallEdge. Perhaps you’ve run into problems with Edge that you’re not sure how to fix. Or maybe you’ve never once used it, but it still keeps popping up occasionally. It doesn’t matter that Edge, according to some, is nowcomparable to Google Chrome— sometimes, you just want it gone.
No matter the reason, if you want to uninstall Microsoft Edge on Windows 10, it can be done. (However,uninstalling Microsoft Edge on Windows 11is a little different.)
Here’s how to remove Microsoft Edge from your Windows 10 PC or laptop, once and for all.
Uninstalling Microsoft Edge through Apps & Features
If you installed Microsoft Edge yourself, you may be able to remove it through Windows Settings. This will only apply if you’re using the beta, developer, or Canary version of Edge. If not, it’s still worth a quick check, but the method may not work.
Step 1: Enter the Start menu
To enter the Start menu, click theWindowslogo on the bottom-left corner of your screen — it’s located on the taskbar. You can also find theWindowsbutton on your keyboard, similarly placed near the bottom-left, close to the space bar.
Step 2: Enter the Apps & Features section
With the Start menu open, click theGearicon directly above the power button. This will take you to the Windows Settings. Alternatively, you may simply type in “settings” with the Start menu open. Windows will direct you to the right app. You can also use theWindows + Ikeyboard shortcut.
Once inSettings,navigate to theAppssection and click it.
Step 3: Uninstall Microsoft Edge
InApps & Features, search for Microsoft Edge. Depending on your installed version, you may find more than one instance of the browser. Simply click on it and pressUninstallin order to remove that version of Edge from your computer.
It’s important to note that while this will uninstall uncommon versions of Edge, such as the beta, the standard browser will remain installed.
If the button is grayed out, it means that you are already running the basic version of Microsoft Edge. to uninstall it, move on to our next method.
How to uninstall Microsoft Edge through Command Prompt
If you were unable to uninstall the browser through Settings, you will need to take a few extra steps to fully remove it from your computer.
Step 1: Check your version of Edge
to fully uninstall Microsoft Edge via Command Prompt, you need to first find out which version of the browser is running on your device.
Open Microsoft Edge. If you can’t find it, open theStart Menuand simply type in “Microsoft Edge.” On the top right of the browser window, click theThree Horizontal Dotsand enterSettings.
Navigate to theAbout Microsoft Edgesection on the left-hand side. This will let you check which version of the browser your computer is running.Make a note of the exact number— you can simply copy and paste it into Notepad or another place in order to store it for a while.
Step 2: Open Command Prompt
To access Command Prompt, start by entering theStart Menuby pressing theWindowskey on the bottom-left side of your keyboard. You can also use your mouse and navigate to the bottom-left side of your screen, then click theWindowslogo.
In order to enter Command Prompt, typecmdwith the Start Menu open. You will find the Command Prompt at the very top of the list of results. Right-click it and then chooseRun as Administrator.
IfWindows 10prompts you as to whether you want to allow the program to make changes to your computer, pressYesto continue the process.
Step 3: Input the required command
Once Command Prompt opens, you will need to copy and paste two commands into it to get rid of Edge. The version number you stored in an earlier step will now come in handy.
In the Command Prompt window, type or copy and paste the following command:
cd %PROGRAMFILES(X86)%MicrosoftEdgeApplicationVersionNumberInstaller
Keep in mind that you will need to replaceVersionNumberwith your own. An example of a properly filled in command will look something like this: cd %PROGRAMFILES(X86)%MicrosoftEdgeApplication94.0.992.38Installer
PressEnter. This will take you to the install folder for Microsoft Edge. Now, input the second command, either by copy-pasting or simply typing it out:
setup.exe –uninstall –system-level –verbose-logging –force-uninstall
Once again, pressEnter.
This will instantly remove Microsoft Edge from your Windows 10 system without any further prompt. The shortcut for Edge will be removed from both your taskbar and the desktop. Searching for it in the Start Menu will only display it as a suggested browser that you can download.
Alternative: Change your default browser
If you simply want to change your default browser to something other than Edge, you don’t have to get rid of it entirely. It can remain installed on your system without taking up too much space.
Begin by picking one of thebest browsers. Install it on your computer, and then follow the steps below.
Step 1: Enter the Default apps
Navigate toSettingsby pressing theWindowskey on the bottom-left side of your keyboard or clicking theWindowslogo in the bottom-left corner of your screen.
Click the littleGearicon to enter Settings. You can also type in “settings” with the Start Menu open and Windows will suggest the correct app.
Navigate to theAppssection, and then enter theDefault Apps, found second on the list on the left side of the screen.
Step 2: Change the default browser
In the Default apps window, scroll down until you find theWeb Browsersection. Click it to open a list of all the browsers currently installed on your computer.
Choose the browser you want from the list and then click it. This will set it as default. From now on, every link you click will automatically open in your chosen browser, and Edge will only come up on rare occasions.
Of course, if you’re quitting Edge due to an issue with its performance, it might be something you may resolve. Check our list ofMicrosoft Edge problems and their solutions.
