You can uninstall Microsoft Edge like any other program, but the process depends on whether you're using Windows or Mac

Microsoft Edge comes pre-installed on Windows computers and is harder to remove than most programs because Windows treats it as a system component. On Windows 10 and 11, you can uninstall it through Settings, but the process requires a few extra steps compared to removing a regular app. On Mac, Edge uninstalls like any other application. The method also depends on whether you want to keep your browsing data or delete it completely.

Before you uninstall, decide what you'll use instead — Edge handles some Windows features like password syncing and reading list integration that other browsers don't. If you're switching to Chrome, Firefox, or another browser, you can import your bookmarks and passwords from Edge first, which takes a few minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows 10 and 11, uninstall Edge through Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find Microsoft Edge, and select Uninstall.
  • Windows may ask you to close Edge and any programs using it before removal completes, and you may need to restart your computer.
  • On Mac, drag Microsoft Edge to the Trash from Applications, then empty the Trash to fully remove it.
  • You can export your bookmarks and passwords from Edge to another browser before uninstalling if you want to keep that data.
  • Some Windows features like password syncing and reading list integration only work with Edge, so check what you'll lose before removing it.

Uninstalling Edge on Windows 10 and 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select the Settings app. Go to Apps in the left sidebar, then select Apps & features. Scroll down the list until you find Microsoft Edge, click on it once to highlight it, then click the three dots that appear to the right of the name. Select Uninstall from the menu.

Windows will ask you to confirm the uninstall and may show a dialog explaining that Edge is a system component. Click Uninstall again to proceed. If Edge is currently running, Windows will close it automatically. The removal usually takes one to three minutes. After it finishes, Windows may ask you to restart your computer — do this to make sure all Edge files are fully removed.

If you see a message saying Edge cannot be uninstalled because it's in use, close any open Edge windows and try again. Some Windows features like password syncing may stop working after you remove Edge, but your other programs and settings will remain unchanged.

Uninstalling Edge on Mac

Open Finder and navigate to Applications. Scroll down to find Microsoft Edge, click on it once to select it, then drag it to the Trash in your dock. You can also right-click on Edge and select Move to Trash. After you've moved Edge to the Trash, open your Trash folder and click Empty to permanently delete it from your computer.

Unlike Windows, Mac doesn't treat Edge as a system component, so removal is straightforward and doesn't require a restart. Once you empty the Trash, Edge is completely gone. If you want to remove Edge's stored data like browsing history and cached files, these are deleted automatically when you empty the Trash.

Saving your bookmarks and passwords before uninstalling

If you use another browser and want to keep your Edge bookmarks, you can export them before uninstalling. Open Edge, click the three dots in the top right corner, go to Settings, then select Import browser data. Choose what you want to import from another browser, or go to Settings > Profiles > Other profile settings > Export profile data to save your bookmarks as a file you can import elsewhere.

To export passwords, open Edge Settings, go to Passwords, and look for the option to export passwords — Edge will save them as a CSV file that you can import into Chrome, Firefox, or another browser. Keep this file in a safe place until you've successfully imported it into your new browser, then delete it.

What happens to your data when you uninstall Edge

Uninstalling Edge removes the program but not your browsing data by default. Your bookmarks, passwords, browsing history, and saved form data remain on your computer in a folder that Edge created. If you want to delete this data too, you need to remove it manually after uninstalling.

On Windows, Edge stores this data in a hidden folder at C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge. On Mac, it's in ~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Edge. You can delete these folders after uninstalling Edge if you want to remove all traces of the program. If you're not comfortable navigating hidden folders, leaving them there takes up minimal space and won't affect your other programs.

Reinstalling Edge if you change your mind

If you uninstall Edge and later decide you want it back, you can download it from Microsoft's website at microsoft.com/edge. The installation takes a few minutes and works the same way as installing any other program. Your bookmarks and passwords won't come back automatically — they're only restored if you kept the data folders or exported them before uninstalling.

Windows 11 may automatically reinstall Edge during a system update, even if you've removed it. This is because Microsoft treats Edge as part of the Windows system. If this happens, you can uninstall it again using the same method described above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will uninstalling Edge break Windows or other programs?

No. While Edge is a system component on Windows, removing it won't damage Windows or stop other programs from working. Some Windows features like password syncing and reading list integration only work with Edge, so those specific features will stop working, but everything else functions normally.

Can I uninstall Edge on Windows 10 if it's not showing in Apps & features?

If Edge doesn't appear in Apps & features, it may already be uninstalled or Windows is preventing the uninstall. Try restarting your computer and checking again. If it still doesn't appear, Edge is likely already removed. You can verify by looking for the Edge icon on your desktop or in your Start menu.

Does uninstalling Edge delete my passwords and bookmarks?

No. Uninstalling Edge removes the program but leaves your stored data behind in a hidden folder. If you want to delete passwords and bookmarks too, you need to manually remove the Edge data folder after uninstalling, or export your data to another browser first.

What's the difference between uninstalling and disabling Edge?

Uninstalling removes Edge completely from your computer. Disabling it (through Settings > Apps > Startup) just prevents it from running when you start Windows, but the program files remain. Uninstalling frees up disk space; disabling just stops it from launching automatically.