Microsoft Edge, the standard web browser in Windows 11 and 10, sometimes launches even if you have a different browser set as default. It could load along with the operating system at startup, preload various background-related processes during the login phase, or appear only after a reboot. Find out how to prevent Microsoft Edge from opening automatically
This post details several ways to prevent Microsoft Edge from opening automatically on your PC. If you’re using Edge on a Mac, you’ll also learn how to prevent the browser from loading without permission on macOS.
How to prevent Microsoft Edge from opening automatically
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 preconfigured settings that cause it to load automatically. Work your way through the list below to prevent the browser from starting on its own.
Suppose you use an alternative browser like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox on your PC. In that case, Microsoft Edge will continue to open automatically every time you click a link, unless you set your preferred browser as default. On Windows 11:
1. Open the menu Start and select Setting .
2. Select Applications in the sidebar. Then choose the category named Default apps
3. Scroll down the list and select a third-party browser (eg. Google Chrome ).
4. Select your preferred browser for all web-related file types and protocols with the Edge logo: HTML , HTTP , PDF etc.
In Windows 10, the process is considerably easier. just go to Start > Setting > Applications > Applications default > Web navigator and select a different browser instead of Microsoft Edge.
Disable Microsoft Edge as startup program
If the Microsoft Edge browser opens automatically shortly after launching on the Windows 10/11 desktop, it is most likely set as a startup program on your computer. Disable it through Task Manager.
1. Right click on the button Start and select Task Manager to open Task Manager.
2. Select More details .
3. Switch to tab Start .
4. Locate and select Microsoft Edge .
5. Select To disable .
Remove Edge from your computer’s startup folder
If Microsoft Edge does not appear as a startup program in Task Manager, manually check and remove the browser from your computer’s startup folder.
1. Press the key of Windows + R to open the Run box.
2. Write shell:start and select To accept .
3. Locate and right-click on the shortcut named Microsoft Edge inside the folder start your computer. Then select Remove .
Disable Windows Spotlight lock screen images
The Windows Spotlight tips you see on your PC’s lock screen load in Microsoft Edge regardless of your browser’s default settings. If you sometimes select them by accident, consider disabling Windows Spotlight.
1. Open the app Setting .
2. Select Personalization > Lock screen .
3. Open the dropdown next to Customize your lock screen and select Image or presentation of slideshow .
Download and install EdgeDeflector
Alternatively, you can use a third-party helper application to load Windows Spotlight tips in your default browser. It also prevents Edge from loading while you are interacting with various elements of the operating system, such as the news and weather widget in Windows 10.
1. and install it on your PC.
2. Open the menu Start and go to Setting > Applications .
3. Select Default apps > Choose default apps by protocol .
4. Scroll down and select MICROSOFT-EDGE > edge deflector .
Disable Microsoft Edge startup boost
Microsoft Edge uses a feature called Startup Boost to pre-launch in the background when you log in, allowing faster access to the browser. However, having Startup Boost active is pointless if you prefer to use a different web browser. To stop Edge-related processes from pre-starting:
1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Open the Edge menu (the three dots next to the address bar) and select Setting .
3. Select System and performance in the sidebar.
4. Uncheck the box next to Start Boost.
Disable Edge Preloading via Local Group Policy Editor
If you’re using Windows 11 Pro or Windows 10 Pro, an alternative way to prevent pre-launch is to modify a couple of Edge-related policies via d .
1. Press Windows + R to open the Run box. Then write gpedit.msc and press Enter .
2. Select the following folders in the Local Group Policy Editor sidebar:
Equipment configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components .
3. Select Microsoft Edge.
4. Double check the tagged configuration Allow Microsoft Edge to start before Windows starts, when the system is idle, and every time Microsoft Edge is closed .
5. In the pop-up window that appears, activate the radio button next to Enabled .
6. Open the dropdown menu Configure pre-launch and select Prevent pre-launching .
7. Select Apply and then, To accept .
8. Locate and double-click Allow Microsoft Edge to start and load the Start and New Tab page on Windows startup and every time Microsoft Edge is closed .
9. Select Enabled .
10. Open the dropdown menu Configure Prerelease and select Avoid touch preload .
Disable Edge Preloading via Windows Terminal
If you’re using the Home edition of Windows 10/11, you can modify the system registry to prevent Microsoft Edge from preloading when you start your computer. Instead of using Registry Editor (regedit), the most convenient way is to run a couple of commands through Windows PowerShell or Terminal.
1. Right click on the button Start and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) either Windows Terminal (administrator) .
2. Run the following commands one after another:
- REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\MicrosoftEdge\Main /v AllowPrelaunch /t REG_DWORD /d 0
- REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\MicrosoftEdge\TabPreloader /v AllowTabPreloading /t REG_DWORD /d 0
3. Exit Windows PowerShell or Terminal and restart your computer.
Stop Windows from restarting apps automatically
Windows 11 and 10 feature the ability to automatically reload several stock apps, including Microsoft Edge, after a system restart. To avoid that:
1. Open the menu Start and select Setting .
2. Select accounts > Login Options .
3. Turn off the switch next to Automatically save my restartable apps when I sign out and restart them when I sign in .
Disable automatic restart of Edge after system update
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 to Use my login information to automatically finish setting up after an update
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Disable Microsoft Edge tasks in TaskScheduler
Task Scheduler in Windows 11 and 10 features multiple triggers that can cause MS Edge to load automatically. To disable them:
1. Press Windows + R scribe taskchd.msc and press Get in .
2. Select Task Scheduler Library in the sidebar.
3. Hold down the key Control and select the following Edge-related tasks:
- MicrosoftEdgeShadowStackRollbackTask
- MicroosftEdgeUpdateTaskMachineCore
- MicroosftEdgeUpdateTaskMachineUA
4. Select To disable .
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How to stop Microsoft Edge from opening automatically on Mac
Unlike on PC, it’s quite easy to stop Microsoft Edge from loading automatically on Mac.
If Microsoft Edge opens automatically every time you select a link on your Mac, set a different browser as the default on your Mac.
1. Open the menu apple and select System preferences .
2. Select General .
3. Open the dropdown next to default web browser and set another browser (for example, Safari either Chrome) as default.
Disable Edge as a startup program via Dock
If Microsoft Edge opens automatically at startup, you can quickly disable the browser as a startup program through the Mac Dock. Simply control : Click the icon Microsoft Edge in the Dock select Options and disable the setting Open at login .
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Disable Edge as a startup program through system preferences
Alternatively, you can use the System Preferences app to prevent Microsoft Edge from loading on startup.
1. Open the app System preferences and select Users and groups .
2. Switch to tab Login Items.
3. Highlight Microsoft Edge and select the button Less .
You can also uninstall Microsoft Edge
Although Microsoft Edge is vastly superior compared to its non-Chromium version or the terrible Internet Explorer, it falls short of well-established browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.
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