How to Stop Microsoft Edge From Opening Automatically

Work your way thru this list

Microsoft Edge—the stock web browser in Windows 11 and 10—sometimes launches even if you have a different browser set as default. It could load alongside the operating system at startup, preload various background-related processes during the login phase, or show up on its own after a restart.

This post details multiple ways to stop Microsoft Edge from opening automatically on your PC. If you use Edge on a Mac, you will also learn to prevent the browser from loading without permission in macOS.

How to Stop Microsoft Edge From Opening Automatically on PC

Despite its Chromium makeover, Microsoft Edge remains deeply integrated into Windows 10 and Windows 11, with multiple triggers and pre-configured settings that cause it to load automatically. Work your way through the list below to stop the browser from launching on its own.

Suppose you use an alternative browser such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox on your PC. In that case, Microsoft Edge will continue to open automatically whenever you click on a link unless you set your preferred browser as the default. In Windows 11:

  1. Open theStartmenu and selectSettings.

  2. SelectAppson the sidebar. Then, pick the category labeledDefault apps.

  3. Scroll down the list and select a third-party browser (e.g.,Google Chrome).

  4. Select your preferred browser for all web-related files types and protocols with the Edge logo—HTML,HTTP,PDF, etc.

In Windows 10, the process is considerably easier. Just go toStart>Settings>Apps>Default Apps>Web browserand select a different browser in place of Microsoft Edge.

If the Microsoft Edge browser opens automatically soon after booting into the Windows 10/11 desktop, the chances are that it’s set up as a startup program on your computer. Disable it via the Task Manager.

  1. Right-click theStartbutton and selectTask Managerto open Task Manager.

  2. SelectMore details.

  3. Switch to theStartuptab.

  4. Locate and selectMicrosoft Edge.

  5. SelectDisable.

If Microsoft Edge doesn’t appear as a startup program in the Task Manager, manually check for and remove the browser from your computer’s startup folder.

  1. PressWindowsKey+Rto open the Run box.

  2. Typeshell:startupand selectOK.

  3. Locate and right-click the shortcut labeledMicrosoft Edgewithin your computer’sStartupfolder. Then, selectDelete.

The Windows Spotlight suggestions that you see on your PC’s Lock Screen load in Microsoft Edge irrespective of your default browser settings. If you sometimes select them by accident, consider disabling Windows Spotlight.

  1. Open theSettingsapp.

  2. SelectPersonalization>Lock screen.

  3. Open the drop-down menu next toPersonalize your lock screenand selectPictureorSlideshow.

Alternatively, you can use a third-party helper application to load Windows Spotlight suggestions in your default browser. It also prevents Edge from loading while interacting with various operating system elements such as theNews and Weather widget in Windows 10.

Note: At the time of writing,Microsoft has blocked EdgeDeflector from running on Windows 11.

1.Download EdgeDeflector from GitHuband install it on your PC.

  1. Open theStartmenu and go toSettings>Apps.

  2. SelectDefault Apps>Choose default apps by protocol.

  3. Scroll down and selectMICROSOFT-EDGE>EdgeDeflector.

Microsoft Edge uses a feature called Startup Boost to prelaunch in the background at login, thereby allowing for faster access to the browser. However, having Startup Boost active makes no sense if you prefer using a different web browser. To stop Edge-related processes from pre-launching:

  1. Open Microsoft Edge.

  2. Open the Edge menu (the three dots next to the address bar) and selectSettings.

  3. SelectSystem and Performanceon the sidebar.

  4. Uncheck the box next to Startup boost.

If you use Windows 11 Pro or Windows 10 Pro, an alternative way to prevent pre-launching involves modifying a couple of Edge-related policies via theLocal Group Policy Editor.

  1. PressWindows+Rto open the Run box. Then, typegpedit.mscand pressEnter.

  2. Select the following folders on the Local Group Policy Editor sidebar:

Computer Configuration>Administrative Templates>Windows Components.

  1. Select Microsoft Edge.

  2. Double-check the setting labeledAllow Microsoft Edge to pre-launch at Windows startup, when the system is idle, and each time Microsoft Edge is closed.

  3. On the pop-up window that shows up, turn on the radio button next toEnabled.

  4. Open theConfigure pre-launchpull-down menu and selectPrevent pre-launching.

  5. SelectApply, thenOK.

  6. Locate and double-clickAllow Microsoft Edge to start and load the Start and New Tab page at Windows startup and each time Microsoft Edge is closed.

  7. SelectEnabled.

  8. Open theConfigure pre-launchpull-down menu and selectPrevent tap preloading.

If you use the Home edition of Windows 10/11, you can modify the system registry to prevent Microsoft Edge from pre-loading at computer startup. Instead of using the Registry Editor (regedit), the most convenient way is to run a couple of commands via Windows PowerShell or Terminal.

  1. Right-click theStartbutton and selectWindows PowerShell (Admin)orWindows Terminal (Admin).

  2. Run the following commands one after the other:

  3. Exit Windows PowerShell or Terminal and restart your computer.

Windows 11 and 10 feature the ability to automatically reload various stock apps—including Microsoft Edge—after a system restart. To prevent that:

  1. Open theStartmenu and selectSettings.

  2. SelectAccounts>Sign-in options.

  3. Turn off the switch next toAutomatically save my restartable apps when I sign out and restart them when I sign in.

You can also prevent Microsoft Edge from starting automatically after a system update. To do that, go to the same screen as above and turn off the switch next toUse my sign-in info to finish setting up after an update automatically.

The Task Scheduler in Windows 11 and 10 features multiple triggers that can cause MS Edge to load automatically. To de-activate them:

  1. PressWindows+R, typetaskschd.msc, and pressEnter.

  2. SelectTask Scheduler Libraryon the sidebar.

  3. Hold down theControlkey and select the following Edge-related tasks:

  4. SelectDisable.

How to Stop Microsoft Edge From Opening Automatically on Mac

Unlike on the PC, it’s pretty easy to prevent Microsoft Edge from loading automatically on the Mac.

If Microsoft Edge opens automatically whenever you select a link on your Mac, set a different browser as the default on your Mac.

  1. Open theApplemenu and selectSystem Preferences.

  2. SelectGeneral.

  3. Open the pull-down menu next toDefault web browserand set another browser (e.g.,SafariorChrome)as the default.

If Microsoft Edge opens automatically at startup, you can quickly disable the browser as a startup program via the Mac’s Dock. JustControl-click theMicrosoft Edgeicon on theDock, selectOptions, and deactivate theOpen at Loginsetting.

Alternatively, you can use the System Preferences app to prevent Microsoft Edge from loading at startup.

  1. Open theSystem Preferencesapp and selectUsers & Groups.

  2. Switch to theLogin Itemstab.

  3. HighlightMicrosoft Edgeand select theMinusbutton.

You Can Also Uninstall Microsoft Edge

Although Microsoft Edge is vastly superior compared to its non-Chromium version or the dreadful Internet Explorer, it falls short of well-established browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. If simply stopping it from launching at startup isn’t enough, learnhow to uninstall Microsoft Edge in Windowsand macOS.

Dilum Senevirathne is a freelance tech writer and blogger with three years of experience writing for online technology publications. He specializes in topics related to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Google web apps. When he isn’t hammering away at his Magic Keyboard, you can catch him binge-watching productivity hacks on YouTube.Read Dilum’s Full Bio

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