You can uninstall Microsoft Edge like any other program, but the process differs slightly depending on whether you're on Windows or Mac
Microsoft Edge comes pre-installed on Windows computers, and Windows makes it harder to remove than typical third-party software. On Windows 10 and 11, you can uninstall Edge through Settings, but the system may reinstall it during major updates. On a Mac, Edge removal is straightforward — you delete it from the Applications folder like any other program. The steps below cover both operating systems and explain what happens after you remove it.
Before you uninstall, close Edge completely. If it's running in the background, the uninstall process may fail or leave files behind. Check your taskbar and system tray to make sure no Edge windows or processes are open.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, open Settings, go to Apps, find Microsoft Edge, and select Uninstall — you may need to confirm the action twice.
- On Mac, drag Microsoft Edge from your Applications folder to the Trash, then empty the Trash to complete removal.
- Windows may reinstall Edge during major system updates, so uninstalling it does not permanently prevent it from returning.
- If you want to keep Edge but stop it from opening automatically, you can disable it in your startup settings instead of removing it entirely.
- Other browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari will continue to work normally after you uninstall Edge.
Uninstalling Microsoft Edge on Windows 10 and 11
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Click on "Apps" in the left sidebar, then select "Apps and features" from the menu that appears. Scroll down the list of installed programs until you see "Microsoft Edge." Click on it once to highlight it.
Click the three-dot menu button that appears next to Microsoft Edge, then select "Uninstall." A confirmation window will pop up asking if you want to remove Microsoft Edge and its related data. Click "Uninstall" again to confirm. Windows will remove the program, which typically takes less than a minute. You may see a message saying the uninstall was successful, or the program may simply disappear from your Apps list.
Restart your computer after uninstalling. This clears any remaining Edge processes from memory and ensures the system recognizes that Edge is no longer installed. Some users report that Edge files remain on the hard drive even after uninstalling, but these do not affect your computer's performance or allow Edge to run.
Removing Microsoft Edge on Mac
Open Finder and click "Applications" in the sidebar on the left. Scroll through the list until you find "Microsoft Edge." Click on it once to select it, then press Command+Delete or right-click and select "Move to Trash." The application will move to your Trash folder.
Empty your Trash to permanently remove Edge from your Mac. Click the Trash icon in your Dock, then click "Empty" in the top-right corner of the Trash window. Once you empty the Trash, Edge is completely removed and cannot be recovered without reinstalling it.
Unlike Windows, macOS does not automatically reinstall Edge during system updates. Once you remove it, it stays removed unless you manually download and install it again from Microsoft's website.
What Happens to Your Browsing Data After Uninstall
Uninstalling Edge does not automatically delete your browsing history, saved passwords, or bookmarks. If you want to erase this data before removing the program, open Edge, go to Settings, select "Privacy, search, and services," and click "Clear browsing data." Choose what you want to delete — history, cookies, cached images, passwords, and other options are available. Select the time range (Last hour, Last 24 hours, Last 7 days, Last 4 weeks, or All time), then click "Clear now."
If you uninstall Edge without clearing this data first, the information remains on your hard drive in Edge's data folder. On Windows, this folder is usually located at C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge. On Mac, it's in ~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Edge. You can manually delete these folders if you want to remove all traces of Edge, but this step is optional and not necessary for the program to stop running.
Stopping Edge From Opening Automatically Without Uninstalling
If you want to keep Edge installed but prevent it from launching on startup, you can disable it in your startup settings instead of removing it. On Windows, press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager, then click the "Startup" tab. Find "Microsoft Edge" in the list, right-click it, and select "Disable." Edge will no longer start automatically when you turn on your computer, but the program remains installed and you can still open it manually whenever you choose.
On Mac, go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), click "General," then select "Login Items." Look for Microsoft Edge in the list and click the minus button to remove it. Edge will no longer open when you log in, but the application stays on your computer.
Why Windows May Reinstall Edge After You Uninstall It
Microsoft includes Edge as part of Windows system updates, particularly during major version upgrades like the annual Windows update. If you uninstall Edge and then install a major Windows update, the system may reinstall Edge automatically. This is by design — Microsoft treats Edge as a core Windows component rather than optional software.
If Edge reinstalls after an update and you want to remove it again, follow the same uninstall steps. You can repeat this process as many times as needed. Some users choose to disable Edge in startup settings instead, since reinstalling it does not affect your computer's function or performance.
Switching to a Different Browser After Uninstalling Edge
Removing Edge does not affect your ability to use other browsers. Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, and other third-party browsers will continue to work normally. If you have not yet installed an alternative browser, you can download one from its official website using Edge itself before you uninstall it, or use another browser if one is already on your computer.
When you uninstall Edge, Windows does not change your default browser setting automatically. If Edge was set as your default, you should manually change it to your preferred browser. On Windows, go to Settings, click "Apps," select "Default apps," and choose your new default browser from the list. On Mac, open System Settings, click "General," select "Default web browser," and choose your preferred option from the dropdown menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will uninstalling Edge slow down my computer or free up storage space?
Edge uses minimal storage — typically less than 500 MB including all its data files. Uninstalling it will free up a small amount of space, but the difference is unlikely to be noticeable on most computers. Edge running in the background uses very little processing power, so removing it will not significantly speed up your system.
Can I uninstall Edge if it is my default browser?
Yes, you can uninstall Edge regardless of whether it is your default browser. However, you should change your default browser to something else first, so Windows knows which program to use when you click links in emails or documents. Change your default before uninstalling to avoid confusion.
What if the uninstall button is grayed out or does not work?
Close Edge completely, including all background processes. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager, look for any process with "Edge" in the name, right-click it, and select "End task." Then try uninstalling again. If it still does not work, restart your computer and attempt the uninstall immediately after startup, before Edge has time to launch.
Does uninstalling Edge remove it from my Microsoft account or OneDrive?
No. Uninstalling Edge from your computer does not affect your Microsoft account, OneDrive, or any cloud services. Your account and files remain intact. If you sign back into a Microsoft account on the same computer or a different one, you can access your OneDrive and other services through any browser.
Can I reinstall Edge later if I change my mind?
Yes. You can download Microsoft Edge from Microsoft's official website and install it again at any time. The installation process is the same as installing any other program. Your browsing history and saved data will not return unless you restore them from a backup.