How to Uninstall Microsoft Edge on Windows 11 and Windows 10
Key Notes
- Multiple methods exist to uninstall Microsoft Edge from Windows 10 and 11.
- EU users can uninstall Edge directly from Settings starting March 2024.
- Be cautious; removing Edge may affect some functionalities of your system.
Your Complete Guide to Uninstalling Microsoft Edge from Windows 10 and 11
Microsoft Edge comes pre-installed on Windows 10 and 11, often leading users to want its removal. This guide provides comprehensive instructions for uninstalling Edge effectively, catering to both standard and European Union regulations.
Uninstall Microsoft Edge on Windows 11 (Workaround)
Follow these steps to uninstall Microsoft Edge using a workaround:
-
Download the ViveTool-vx.x.x.zip file.
-
Open the downloaded zip file in File Explorer.
-
Click on the Extract all option.
-
Click the Extract button.
-
Copy the folder path where the ViveTool files were extracted.
-
Open the Start menu.
-
Search for Command Prompt, right-click, and select Run as administrator.
-
Type the following command and hit Enter to navigate to the ViveTool folder:
cd c:\folder\path\ViveTool-v0.x.x -
Enable Edge uninstallation by entering:
vivetool /enable /id:44353396 -
Restart your computer.
-
Open the File Explorer by pressing Windows Key + E.
-
Type
C:\Windows\system32in the address bar and press Enter. -
Right-click on IntegratedServicesRegionPolicySet.json and choose Properties.
-
Navigate to the Security tab, then click Advanced.
-
Select Change to modify the file owner.
-
Confirm the Administrators object name and click Check Names.
-
Click OK to apply changes.
-
Click Edit in the Security tab.
-
Select Administrators and enable Full control permissions.
-
Click Apply, then Yes to confirm.
-
Reopen the IntegratedServicesRegionPolicySet.json file.
-
Open Registry Editor by searching for regedit.
-
Locate the value for Name in the following path:
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\International\Geo -
In the JSON file, change defaultState from disabled to enabled.
-
Add the relevant region to the array in the JSON file, such as “US, ” followed by a comma.
-
Save the changes in the JSON file.
-
Open Microsoft Edge, click on the menu (three dots), and navigate to Settings.
-
Go to System and Performance and disable Startup Boost.
-
Restart your computer again.
-
Access Settings (press Windows Key + I ), and then click on Apps.
-
Select Installed apps tab, open the menu for Microsoft Edge, and select Uninstall.
-
Confirm by clicking the Uninstall button.
After following these steps, Microsoft Edge should be uninstalled from your Windows 11 or 10 device. If it’s still not an option, try restarting the system again.
Uninstall Microsoft Edge on Windows 11 (Script)
A more automated approach to uninstall Microsoft Edge is to utilize third-party tools like Win Debloat Tools.
Before proceeding, ensure you have a full backup of your data and understand how to use such tools responsibly. The process generally removes most elements but may leave some remnants.
To proceed with this method:
-
Download the latest version under the “Download Latest Version” section.
-
Open the downloaded file.
-
Click Extract all.
-
Click Extract to unpack the contents.
-
Navigate to the extracted Win-Debloat-Tools-main folder.
-
Right-click on OpenTerminalHere.cmd and select Run as administrator.
-
Paste the following code into the command prompt and press Enter :
Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Scope CurrentUser -Force; ls -Recurse *.ps*1 | Unblock-File;.\"WinDebloatTools.ps1" -
Click on the System Tweaks tab in the tool.
-
Select the Remove Microsoft Edge option.
-
Confirm the removal by clicking Yes.
This script will remove Microsoft Edge completely from your PC.
Uninstall Microsoft Edge on Windows 11 (EU)
If you reside in the European Union, you have the ability to remove the browser directly via the Settings app starting with the March 2024 update.
To uninstall Edge, follow these steps:
-
Open Settings.
-
Click on Apps.
-
Go to the Installed apps section.
-
Open the menu (three dots) for Microsoft Edge and select Uninstall.
-
Click Uninstall once more to confirm.
Following this, Edge will be uninstalled from your system completely. Note that some links may still reference Edge, prompting a download from the Microsoft Store if clicked.
Additional Tips
- Verifying that all your data is backed up before proceeding with the uninstallation is crucial.
- Ensure you disable Startup boost before attempting removal.
- Recheck the Settings app after uninstallation; some remnants may still appear.
Summary
This guide details how to uninstall Microsoft Edge from Windows 10 and 11 using various methods, specifically targeting EU regulations and workarounds for users in other regions.
Conclusion
Removing Microsoft Edge can enhance your Windows experience by allowing the use of alternatives. Follow the steps carefully and ensure all data is safely backed up before proceeding with uninstallation.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can I reinstall Microsoft Edge after removing it?
Yes, you can reinstall it using a command in Command Prompt or via the Microsoft Store.
Will removing Edge affect my other applications?
Yes, some applications that rely on Edge may stop functioning properly if you uninstall it.