Windows 11 and 10 come with the Edge browser preinstalled. Unlike many stock Windows apps, you can easily remove, uninstalling Microsoft Edge from Windows 11 is slightly more complicated. Microsoft does not want you to delete Edge in Windows 11, so it made sure regular tools for uninstalling apps do not work with its browser. Still, Windows is Windows, which means you can bypass many limitations using Command Prompt or third-party apps.
This article will show you how to uninstall Microsoft Edge in Windows 11 and ensure it will not bother you in the future. Some users want to remove Edge to stop Microsoft from trying to impose the browser, and others want to go back to a previous version for some specific reason. Whatever is your case, here you will find a simple and easy-to-follow guide about how to delete Edge in Windows 11 and 10.
Note. Before you proceed to uninstall Edge, note that removing the browser will break a few things in Windows 11. For example, Windows Widgets and Search are hardcoded to use Edge exclusively. Also, you might encounter issues with the apps that use components of Microsoft Edge.
How to Delete Microsoft Edge?
If you use Windows 7 or Windows 8, deleting Microsoft Edge is as easy as removing any other application. Things are pretty different on Windows 11 and 10, and here is how you uninstall Edge on those operating systems.
To uninstall Edge, you need to navigate to its folder and run a simple command in Windows Terminal. Note that you cannot delete Edge in Windows 11 or 10 without Administrator privileges. The command to get rid of the browser requires elevated privileges, so ensure your account has the needed rights. Alternatively, you can use the Administrator password.
Important. Install the browser you want to use before deleting Microsoft Edge from Windows 10 and 11. Otherwise, you might end up in a situation with no browser to download a browser. Alternatively, get a Chrome, Firefox, Opera, or any other browser installer and ensure you have an active Internet connection.
It is also worth noting that removing preview versions of Microsoft Edge is much simpler. Microsoft lets you delete Edge Beta, Dev, and Canary without using Command Prompt and long commands.
- Press Win + E to open File Explorer and go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Applications\Folder with a version number\Installer.
- Right-click anywhere inside the folder and select Open in Terminal. Windows will open a new Terminal window in the Microsoft Edge Installer folder. There you need to execute a command to delete Edge in Windows 11 and 10.
- Type and run command:
.\setup.exe -uninstall -system-level -verbose-logging -force-uninstall
- Wait for Windows 11 to uninstall Edge.
To recover Microsoft Edge on your computer, go to its official website and click download. You should also remember that Microsoft might forcefully install Edge alongside a cumulative or feature update on your system in the future. You can bookmark this article to keep it around in case that happens.
