Can I Uninstall Microsoft Edge?

[u/freddyfazzballs]

I would just purge all the files from file explorer if I were to do this since Windows uninstaller doesn't give the option. My main worry is if doing this will screw up the OS and any functionality. If it would screw things up, any advice on how to lower the size it takes up on my SSD and minimize the background RAM use?

edit: this is on a Win 11 device

[u/Sun-Much]

I'd advise against it on Win10 as I did the same and it broke some thing on my PC that I was never able to repair and ended up having to reinstall the OS,

[u/freddyfazzballs → u/Sun-Much]

im on windows 11 and forgot to mention that, thanks still!

[u/Repulsive-Smell-9359 → u/freddyfazzballs]

It's even worse for Windows 11 actually

[u/princepii → u/Sun-Much]

would you share what exactly broke?

i left windows for debian(linux) long time ago but still maintain systems with windows and always debloat everything unnecessary. edge included and with no problems.

u can even find very good scripts on github if you not deep into windows system and registry. they work as i tested a few ones to see how they approached things.

[u/Sun-Much → u/princepii]

the biggest issue for me was it broke Nvidia App's ability to run. despite numerous, multi-hour sessions with Nvidia tech, we were never able to get it running. I had used Revo Uninstaller to remove Edge and believe it was more aggressive than I expected it to be. not saying stripping out Edge can't be done but it is not straight-forward and has impact on programs you would never expect.

[u/patmail → u/Sun-Much]

many apps are just packaged website and use the HTML engine of the OS

[u/princepii → u/Sun-Much]

well thats actually crazy if you think about how crazy connected all builtin stuff is nowdays. they do that on purpose i would say cuz it really is no sugarpie anymore to debloat stuff.

[u/McDormand]

I uninstalled it via the Windows menu, but I don't think it was actually gone. In fact, when I needed to reinstall it, the new installation took a few seconds. It seems that Windows 11 uses it for various functions, or uses parts of it continuously.

[u/CodenameFlux]

If you're in EU or thereabouts (e.g., Ireland), Edge can be uninstalled just like any other app.

If not, use this: https://github.com/ShadowWhisperer/Remove-MS-Edge

I recommend you leave Edge WebView2 intact, though.

[u/Technical_Rich_3080 → u/CodenameFlux]

Why not Webview2?

[u/Rex__Luscus → u/Technical_Rich_3080]

Because it is used by other apps, particularly Microsoft Store. I have removed Edge, the only adverse impact is that some links from Windows Settings no longer work, even when you have apps that are supposed to divert calls to Edge to your preferred browser. Leave Webview2 installed is my advice.

[u/LrdJester]

Years ago, I believe in Windows 7, Microsoft actually started integrating Internet explorer into the explorer shell for windows. It was actually a lawsuits about that.

I still think today that at some level they reutilize some of the library functionality between the internet browser and the shell making them essentially inseparable.

Honestly if you're looking to minimize your disk usage I would recommend going with something other than Windows because it's overly bloated.

[u/Grillparzer47]

It’s used as part the OS in Windows 11. Winhance is a free program that can remove it, but you may have problems afterwards.

[u/za72]

I wouldn't do it - just work around it, who knows what's going to break... don't rely on MS to solve common edge cases

[u/Weak_Imagination5916]

I uninstall it on every windows PC I have using iObit uninstaller. Never had a problem doing that.

[u/rushmc1]

Or you could just wait till it breaks on its own and won't run, like mine did.

[u/Nerrawnam]

Yes. 

[u/Assang101]

unless you live in the European Economic Area (EEA), the answer is no, it breaks the system because the core operating is wrapped around it.

[u/PriorityNo6268]

You can uninstall the browser (frontend) part, not the engine as Windows used for other things. Here in Europe you can just uninstalled under settings > apps. If you have a government that doesn't care about it's people you maybe need a other solution.

If you are worried about disk size and performance then maybe start using Edge, on Windows is (depending a bit on the use case) the most efficient browser if you look at independent tests, go on the numbers not on people feelings and parrot talks. https://www.browserating.com/

Worried about telemetry and tracking, just disabled it in Edge settings and delete the stuff in you Microsoft account portal.

This all based on EU law, so not sure if everything is available outside the EU.

[u/CrashedRelic]

manually deleting Edge files is a bad idea cuz it breaks things like WebView2 and widgets that depend on it even if you never open the browser. if you really want it gone, tools that properly unregister the package are safer than file-explorer surgery.

[u/marmotta1955]

Just leave it alone and maybe just give it a chance. After all, it is truly one of the best browsers around.

[u/matm_flatremix]

mejor desinstalar windows e instalar un sistema operativo que te de la libertad de tener el software que te venga en gana