How To Disable Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge is a web browser developed by Microsoft and it comes pre-installed on Windows 10. While some people find it useful, others prefer to use different web browsers like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. If you fall into the latter category and want to disable Microsoft Edge, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we will guide you through the steps to disable Microsoft Edge on your Windows 10 computer.

Method 1: Using Group Policy Editor

Group Policy Editor is a powerful tool that allows you to manage various settings on your Windows computer. Disabling Microsoft Edge using Group Policy Editor is a straightforward process. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “gpedit.msc” (without quotes) and press Enter to open Group Policy Editor.
3. In Group Policy Editor, navigate to “Computer Configuration”> “Administrative Templates”> “Windows Components”> “Microsoft Edge”.
4. Double-click on “Allow Microsoft Edge to pre-launch at Windows startup, when the system is idle, and each time Microsoft Edge is closed” policy.
5. Select the “Disabled” option and click “Apply” and then “OK”.
6. Close Group Policy Editor.

Method 2: Using Registry Editor

If you don’t have access to Group Policy Editor, you can also disable Microsoft Edge using Registry Editor. Here are the steps:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “regedit” (without quotes) and press Enter to open Registry Editor.
3. In Registry Editor, navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\MicrosoftEdge
4. If the “MicrosoftEdge” key doesn’t exist, right-click on “Microsoft” and select “New”> “Key”. Name the key “MicrosoftEdge”.
5. Right-click on the “MicrosoftEdge” key and select “New”> “Key”. Name the key “Main”.
6. Right-click on the “Main” key and select “New”> “DWORD (32-bit) Value”. Name the value “AllowPrelaunch”.
7. Double-click on the “AllowPrelaunch” value and set the value data to “0”.
8. Close Registry Editor.

Method 3: Using PowerShell

If you prefer using PowerShell, you can also disable Microsoft Edge using a simple command. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Press the Windows key + X and select “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” from the menu.
2. Copy and paste the following command into the PowerShell window: Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Remove-AppxPackage
3. Press Enter to execute the command.
4. Wait for the process to complete.
5. Close PowerShell.

Method 4: Using Third-Party Software

If you’re not comfortable using Group Policy Editor, Registry Editor, or PowerShell, you can also use third-party software to disable Microsoft Edge. There are several tools available online that allow you to disable built-in Windows components, including Microsoft Edge.

One popular tool is CCleaner. Here’s how you can use CCleaner to disable Microsoft Edge:

1. Download and install CCleaner from the official website.
2. Open CCleaner and go to the “Tools” section.
3. Select “Startup” from the sidebar.
4. Click on the “Microsoft Edge” entry and select “Disable”.
5. Close CCleaner.

Conclusion

Disabling Microsoft Edge can be useful if you prefer using a different web browser or if you simply don’t find it useful. In this article, we have discussed four methods to disable Microsoft Edge on your Windows 10 computer. Whether you choose to use Group Policy Editor, Registry Editor, PowerShell, or third-party software, make sure to follow the instructions carefully to avoid any unintended consequences. Remember that disabling Microsoft Edge may cause some features or applications to not work correctly, so it’s important to proceed with caution. Happy browsing!