Uninstall Microsoft Edge

I've been searching the web for advice on uninstalling the Edge Browser with Revo-Uninstaller Pro. Some say that it does a great job in uninstalling the program and others say that Microsoft Edge is nevertheless reinstalled on the next system update. Has anyone had success in uninstalling Microsoft Edge completely without having it return on the next system update? Thank you.

 

Why do you want to uninstall it? There is nothing wrong with it. I use FF for most of my surfing, but do use Edge for some things. Like it just fine. Not really a bad browser at all.

 

I agree that it’s not a bad browser also. I simply prefer Chrome and want to get rid of the Edge browser. I can uninstall it without any bother, but I’ve heard people say that it comes back again with the monthly Windows updates.

 

It is a mistake to try to remove Edge.

Windows needs a browser for various functions. It simply makes good programming and security sense for Windows to use the browser integrated with it to ensure compatibility and functionality during those necessary (and often critical) operations where the OS needs a browser.

HOWEVER - unlike the ancient past during the XP era when Microsoft was trying to rule the world, today Microsoft fully understands and more importantly, accepts that some users prefer to use an alternative browser for their own browsing tasks. For this reason, they make it easy for users to install and set as default, an alternative.

While Microsoft makes a sincere concerted effort to release specification and protocol updates to all the 3rd party developers in a timely bases, due to very clever (and very well funded - often "state sponsored"! ) bad guys, there will always be the potential for zero-day exploits (brand new, just discovered vulnerabilities the bad guys have exploited before the good guys have had a chance to discover/fix/patch). Microsoft is in the best position to address these critical security scenarios and push out "out-of-cycle" critical updates with the help of the integrated browser.

This is entirely possible - but, contrary to what some Microsoft haters want everyone to believe, it is not due to some strong arm effort by Microsoft to control everything. It is because Microsoft occasionally makes major changes to the operating system. In the olden days, they called them Service Packs. And these updates essentially install a new version of the OS, which of course, includes the integrated browser.

FWIW, I personally have never seen one of those major updates change the default setting back to Edge for those users of alternative browsers. But even if it did, it would be simple to change back.

Also, as more and more sites and programs are [finally!] dumping support and compatibility for Internet Explorer, they are also moving to ensure compatibility with MS Edge. Even if not your default, it is always good to have it on hand for troubleshooting sites you are having access problems with Chrome. If for no other reason, it is good to have Edge and one or two alternatives just to verify if a site is up or down, or if it is rendering properly or not with just one, or all browsers. For this reason, I have Edge, Chrome and FF on this machine.

So, if you prefer Chrome, great! No problem. Just set it as your default. Then I would strongly urge you to just leave Edge alone. It does not hurt anything just sitting there.

 

Thanks, Bill, for your excellent assessment of the situation. My interest was initially spurred by a desire to create more space. I’ll let Bing lie there for the moment.

 

I appreciate the desire to maximize (not waste) space. But Edge really does not take up much. If you feel you are running low on free disk space, I recommend you run Windows own Disk Cleanup (or CCleaner if already installed). These will purge the system of Edge cookies and temp files associated with Edge (and your other browsers).

If still low on space, you will need to take other actions. Review the programs you downloaded and installed, then uninstall those you don't use. You can empty your Downloads folder too. If still low, consider buying another drive, or a bigger drive.