Uninstalling Microsoft Edge – is that possible?

Uninstalling Microsoft Edge in Windows is only possible in a roundabout way. The browser is deeply integrated into the operating system. Uninstalling it is therefore less advisable. However, it is still possible via PowerShell.

Uninstalling Microsoft Edge: in the taskbar, Start menu and desktop

If you completely uninstall Microsoft Edge on your computer, Windows may fail. Therefore, it is best not to uninstall the browser. Instead, you can remove Microsoft Edge from the Start menu, taskbar and desktop.

• To get rid of the Edge icon in the taskbar, right-click on the “e” icon.

• Select “Detach from taskbar” here.

• From the Start menu, you can delete Edge by clicking on the Windows icon at the bottom left.

• Then right-click on the “Microsoft Edge” tile and click on “Detach from Start”.

• Edge can also be removed from the desktop by right-clicking on the icon and selecting “Delete”.

Uninstall Microsoft Edge completely: via Settings or PowerShell

If removing the programme shortcuts from Microsoft Edge is not enough for you, you can also uninstall the browser completely. As mentioned above, the operating system may fail after removal. If you want to accept this risk, proceed as follows:

• Open the settings via the Windows Start menu at the bottom right and click on the cogwheel symbol.
• Click on the “Apps” tile.
• In the list, scroll down to “Microsoft Edge”. Click the entry once with the left mouse button and select “Uninstall”. Often this button is greyed out, in which case uninstalling is only possible via Windows PowerShell.
• Navigate to the folder “C:\Programmes (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application” by inserting this file path at the top of the address bar.
• Open the folder with the largest number by double-clicking on it and then open the subfolder “Installer”.
• Hold down the Shift key and right-click on a free area. Select the item “Open Power Shell Window Here “
• In the PowerShell enter the following command: “.\setup.exe -uninstall -system-level -verbose-logging -force-uninstall”. Confirm with [Enter].
• Finally click on “Yes” to complete the process.