How to Uninstall Microsoft Edge: A Comprehensive Guide

Microsoft Edge is the default web browser developed by Microsoft, built on the Chromium engine since 2020. It offers a modern browsing experience with features like integration with Windows, enhanced security, ad-blocking, and synchronization across devices. While it’s deeply integrated into the Windows operating system, especially in Windows 10 and Windows 11, some users may want to uninstall Microsoft Edge due to personal preference, performance issues, or to free up space.

This guide presents several methods to remove Microsoft Edge from your system, tailored for both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11. Each method includes detailed step-by-step instructions, key points, precautions, success rate estimates, and an analysis of its drawbacks. The final method introduces Perfect Uninstaller, a third-party tool designed for deep and comprehensive software removal. At the end, we provide a professional conclusion to help you choose the best uninstallation strategy.

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Method 1: Uninstall via Settings App (Windows 10 / Windows 11)

Steps:

1. Open Settings

• Press Win + I to open the Settings app.

1. Go to Apps > Installed Apps

• In Windows 10, navigate to Apps > Apps & features.
• In Windows 11, go directly to Installed apps under the Apps section.

1. Search for Microsoft Edge

• Use the search bar at the top and type “Microsoft Edge”.

1. Uninstall the App

• Click on Microsoft Edge and then click Uninstall.
• Confirm when prompted and wait for the process to complete.

Notes:

• This method works only if Microsoft Edge was installed as a standalone app (e.g., after a manual update or reinstallation).
• On most systems, especially Windows 11, Edge is built-in and cannot be fully uninstalled through this interface.

Success Rate:

• ~10–20% successful removal on standard installations.

Drawbacks:

• Does not work on most Windows 10/11 systems where Edge is pre-integrated.
• Only removes manually installed versions or updates.
• Leaves behind registry entries, cached data, and user profiles.

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Method 2: Using PowerShell or Command Prompt (Advanced)

Microsoft Edge is tightly integrated into the system using Appx packages, which can be removed via PowerShell or Command Prompt.

Steps:

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator

• Search for “PowerShell” in the Start menu.
• Right-click and select Run as administrator.

1. Check Installed Edge Versions

• Run the command:
  Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | Where-Object { $_.Name -like "*MicrosoftEdge*" }

1. Remove Microsoft Edge Package

• Use the following command:
  Remove-AppxPackage
  Replace with the actual package name retrieved in Step 2.

1. Optional: Remove for All Users

• To remove Edge for all accounts:
  Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsers

Notes:

• Works only on Windows 10 (in some editions); Windows 11 does not allow full removal of Edge.
• Not recommended for general users due to complexity.
• May break system components that depend on Edge (e.g., WebView2).

Success Rate:

• ~70–80% successful removal on supported Windows 10 versions.

Drawbacks:

• Risk of breaking system functionality.
• Reinstallation may be required after major OS updates.
• Not applicable to Windows 11.

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Method 3: Disable Microsoft Edge via Group Policy Editor (Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise)

For advanced users, Group Policy allows disabling Edge without removing it entirely.

Steps:

1. Open Group Policy Editor

• Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.

1. Navigate to Policies

• Go to:
  Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Edge

1. Enable Edge Redirection Policy

• Double-click “Set a default search engine” or “Configure Internet Explorer mode”.
• Enable policies that redirect or disable Edge features.

1. Optional: Prevent First Run Experience

• Set policy: Prevent Microsoft Edge from showing the First Run page

Notes:

• Available only on Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.
• Does not fully uninstall Edge but restricts its usage.
• Useful for enterprise environments or managed systems.

Success Rate:

• ~90% effective in limiting or disabling Edge usage.

Drawbacks:

• Does not remove Edge files or registry entries.
• Not available on Windows 10 Home Edition or Windows 11.
• Requires technical knowledge.

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Method 4: Using Perfect Uninstaller (Third-Party Tool)

Perfect Uninstaller is a powerful utility designed to perform deep and comprehensive software removal, including leftover files, registry entries, and cached data that standard uninstallers often miss.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Download Perfect Uninstaller

• Visit the official website of Perfect Uninstaller (ensure it’s a trusted source).
• Download the correct version based on your system:
• 32-bit systems: Install 32-bit version.
• 64-bit systems: Install 64-bit version for full compatibility.

Step 2: Install and Launch the Software

• Run the installer and follow the setup instructions.
• Launch the application after installation.

Step 3: Locate Microsoft Edge

• In the main interface, scroll through the list of installed programs.
• Find “Microsoft Edge” or “Microsoft Edge Update”.

Step 4: Initiate Uninstallation

• Click the Uninstall button.
• The tool will begin removing Microsoft Edge, displaying real-time progress.
• During uninstallation, it will remove:
• Application files
• Registry entries
• Startup items
• User-specific data

Step 5: Perform Deep Cleanup

• After uninstalling, use the Scan for Leftovers feature.
• Let the tool scan for any remaining files or registry fragments.
• Select all found items and click Delete to ensure a clean system.

Notes:

• Perfect Uninstaller offers automated and comprehensive removal.
• Works seamlessly on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
• Ideal for users who want to avoid manual file hunting and registry editing.

Success Rate:

• ~95–100% complete removal of removable components.

Drawbacks:

• Cannot remove core Edge components in Windows 11 due to system-level integration.
• Some residual files may remain in protected system folders.
• Third-party tools may conflict with Windows updates.

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Conclusion

Uninstalling Microsoft Edge is significantly more complex than removing typical third-party applications due to its deep integration into Windows 10 and Windows 11. While several methods exist — from Settings, PowerShell, Group Policy, to third-party uninstallers — none offer a 100% success rate on newer systems.

From a professional standpoint, Microsoft has made Edge a core component of Windows, particularly in Windows 11, making full removal technically difficult and potentially risky. For most users, disabling Edge or switching to alternative browsers is the safest approach.

However, for those determined to remove Edge completely, Perfect Uninstaller remains the most effective option, offering up to 95–100% cleanup of removable components, especially on Windows 10 systems. Its ability to automate registry cleaning and leftover scanning makes it ideal for non-technical users seeking a one-stop solution.

In summary, while native tools have limitations, Perfect Uninstaller provides the highest reliability and depth of removal among available options. Always ensure you understand the implications before attempting to uninstall Microsoft Edge, and back up important data before proceeding.