How To Uninstall Microsoft Edge on Windows 10 | Safely

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Microsoft Edge on Windows 10 can be removed with Edge’s setup command on certain builds; if it won’t uninstall, switch defaults and disable it.

You’re here for one thing: get Edge off your Windows 10 PC. The catch is that Windows 10 treats Edge like a system piece on many builds, so the usual “Uninstall” button may be greyed out.

This guide gives you two paths. First, the clean route in Settings when it’s available. Second, the setup.exe method that removes Edge on many machines where Settings won’t. If neither works on your build, you’ll still keep Edge out of your day-to-day by changing defaults, removing pins, and blocking auto-launch.

Before You Remove Edge, Do These Two Checks

Spend two minutes here and you’ll dodge the most common headaches: an uninstall that fails mid-way or apps that still open Edge after you think it’s gone.

  1. Close Edge fully — Open Task Manager, end any Microsoft Edge processes, then wait a few seconds so files release.
  2. Confirm your Windows 10 build — Go to Settings > System > About, then note the Version and OS build. Some builds allow uninstall in Settings, others don’t.
  3. Install your replacement browser — If you plan to use Chrome, Firefox, Brave, or another browser, install it now so you can flip defaults right after removal.
  4. Export Edge data you care about — If you used Edge bookmarks or saved passwords, export them first from Edge settings so you don’t lose them.

Uninstalling Microsoft Edge On Windows 10 With Built-In Tools

On some Windows 10 setups, Edge appears like a normal app with a working uninstall flow. This is the lowest-risk option, so try it first.

  1. Open Settings — Press Win + I, then select Apps.
  2. Find Microsoft Edge — Go to Apps & features, scroll to Microsoft Edge, then select it.
  3. Choose Uninstall — If Uninstall is clickable, select it and follow the prompts.
  4. Restart the PC — A restart clears leftover locks and finishes the removal.

If the Uninstall button is missing or greyed out, your build is treating Edge as a system piece. Move to the setup.exe method below.

Method When It Works Best What You’ll Need
Settings uninstall Edge shows a normal Uninstall button Admin access, a restart
setup.exe uninstall Uninstall is blocked in Settings Admin access, correct Edge version folder
Disable and de-prioritize Uninstall is blocked by the OS Default app changes, pin cleanup

Remove Edge By Command Line Using Setup.exe

This method uses Edge’s own installer to remove the browser. It’s the same core idea used in many IT scripts, and it often works when Settings won’t show a working uninstall.

You’ll run setup.exe from Edge’s Installer folder. The folder name includes your installed Edge version, so you either type the version number or browse to it.

  1. Find your Edge version — Open Edge, go to edge://settings/help, and note the version shown on that page.
  2. Open an admin terminal — Type cmd in Windows search, right-click Command Prompt, then choose Run as administrator.
  3. Move to the Installer folder — Use the command below and swap in your version number.
cd "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\xx.x.xxx.xx\Installer"
  1. Run the uninstall command — Paste the line below, press Enter, and wait for it to finish.
setup.exe --uninstall --system-level --verbose-logging --force-uninstall
  1. Restart Windows — Reboot so Windows clears any cached references and finishes file cleanup.

The command flags above are listed in Microsoft Q&A guidance for Edge removal. You can verify the wording here: setup.exe uninstall command flags.

What “System-Level” Means

Most Windows 10 PCs install Edge for all users. The --system-level switch targets that install. If you used a user-only install, you may need a user-level uninstall instead, yet many home PCs are system-level.

What To Do If The Folder Path Doesn’t Exist

Some PCs store Edge under C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Edge\Application\ instead of Program Files (x86). If the first path fails, open a folder window, follow the Application folder into your version folder, then open Installer and run the command from there.

  1. Open the folder window — Press Win + E.
  2. Browse to the Edge Application folder — Check Program Files (x86) first, then Program Files.
  3. Open the version folder — Pick the folder that matches the version you saw in edge://settings/help.
  4. Open the Installer folder — You should see setup.exe inside.
  5. Start cmd in that folder — Click the address bar, type cmd, press Enter, then run the uninstall command.

If Uninstall Is Blocked, Make Edge Stay Out Of Your Way

If your Windows 10 build refuses to remove Edge, don’t fight the OS with risky file deletions. You can still stop Edge from grabbing links, PDFs, and searches.

Set Your Default Browser And Link Handling

Windows 10 uses Default apps to decide what opens web links. After you pick a new browser, set it as default so Windows stops falling back to Edge.

  1. Open Default apps — Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps.
  2. Change the Web browser — Under Web browser, select your preferred browser.
  3. Check file types — If PDFs still open Edge, set your PDF reader as default too.

If you want Microsoft’s official write-up on where the Default apps page lives, this Windows documentation page points to the same Settings location: Default apps settings page.

Remove Edge Pins And Shortcuts

Edge can stay installed yet never show up in your routine. Clearing its visible entry points helps.

  • Unpin from taskbar — Right-click the Edge icon on the taskbar, then select Unpin from taskbar.
  • Unpin from Start — Open Start, right-click Microsoft Edge, then select Unpin from Start.
  • Remove desktop shortcut — If you see an Edge icon on the desktop, delete that shortcut.

Stop Edge From Running In The Background

Even when you don’t open it, Edge can keep background processes alive for faster startup. Turning that off cuts noise and resource use.

  1. Open Edge settings — In Edge, open Settings.
  2. Turn off background apps — In System and performance, disable “Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed” if you see it.
  3. Disable Startup boost — In the same area, turn off Startup boost if it’s available.

Clean Up Edge Remnants And Reduce Reinstalls

After a successful uninstall, you might still see WebView2 Runtime, update services, or old shortcuts. Some of these are used by other apps, so remove only what you’re sure you don’t need.

Know The Difference Between Edge And WebView2

WebView2 lets apps render web content using Edge’s engine. Many Windows apps and third-party tools rely on it. Removing WebView2 can break sign-in screens, embedded help panels, and app dashboards. If your only goal is to ditch the Edge browser UI, leave WebView2 alone.

Remove Leftover Shortcuts And Link Choices

  1. Search for Edge entries — In Start, type Edge, then right-click entries you don’t want pinned or surfaced.
  2. Check link types — In Default apps, set your browser for HTTP and HTTPS if your build shows per-link options.
  3. Reset “Open with” choices — Right-click a PDF or HTML file, pick Open with, and set a new default if Edge keeps showing up.

Expect Windows Updates To Bring Edge Back

On many Windows 10 builds, certain updates reinstall Edge or repair it. If you removed Edge with setup.exe and it later returns, that’s often an update action, not a failed uninstall. Treat the uninstall as reversible and keep your default browser set to what you want.

Troubleshooting Messages You Might See

When Edge won’t uninstall, the error text can be vague. These fixes handle the patterns that pop up most often.

“This App Can’t Be Uninstalled” In Settings

  • Use the setup.exe method — Settings is blocked, yet setup.exe may still remove Edge on your build.
  • Switch defaults instead — If setup.exe fails too, treat Edge as a system component and move it out of the way.

“setup.exe Is Not Recognized” In Command Prompt

  • Confirm you’re in the Installer folder — Run dir and check that setup.exe is listed.
  • Try a full path — Run setup.exe by full path if your terminal isn’t inside the folder.

“Access Is Denied” Or The Command Closes Instantly

  • Run as administrator — Close the terminal and reopen it with elevation.
  • End Edge processes — Use Task Manager to close Edge and Edge Update tasks, then rerun the command.
  • Check security tools — Some endpoint tools block app removal. On a work PC, your IT rules may win.

Edge Still Opens Links After Removal

  • Reset Default apps — Revisit Default apps and set your browser again.
  • Update your browser — Install the latest version of your chosen browser so it registers all link types.
  • Reboot once more — A second reboot can refresh link handling after major app changes.

Quick Checklist Before You Reboot

Run this list to confirm you’re done and Windows won’t surprise you on the next click.

  • Edge is gone from Apps & features — Search for Microsoft Edge in Settings and confirm it isn’t listed.
  • Your browser is default — In Default apps, confirm Web browser shows your chosen app.
  • Taskbar and Start are clean — No Edge pins remain.
  • Web links open correctly — Click a link from Mail or a document and confirm it opens in your browser.

If you hit a wall where your Windows 10 build will not remove Edge, you’re still in a good spot: your defaults control what opens, and Edge can sit unused without getting in the way.