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
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.
Disable Microsoft Edge as the Default Browser
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:
Disable Microsoft Edge as a Startup Program
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.
Remove Edge From Your Computer’s Startup Folder
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.
Disable Windows Spotlight LockScreen Pictures
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.
Download and Install EdgeDeflector
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 the News and Weather widget in Windows 10. Note: At the time of writing, Microsoft has blocked EdgeDeflector from running on Windows 11.
Disable Microsoft Edge Startup Boost
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:
Disable Edge Pre-Loading via Local Group Policy Editor
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 the Local Group Policy Editor.
Disable Edge Preloading via Windows Terminal
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.
REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\MicrosoftEdge\Main /v AllowPrelaunch /t REG_DWORD /d 0REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\MicrosoftEdge\TabPreloader /v AllowTabPreloading /t REG_DWORD /d 0
Stop Windows From Restarting Apps Automatically
Windows 11 and 10 feature the ability to automatically reload various stock apps—including Microsoft Edge—after a system restart. To prevent that:
Disable Edge Auto-Restart 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 sign-in info to finish setting up after an update automatically.
Disable Microsoft Edge Tasks on TaskScheduler
The Task Scheduler in Windows 11 and 10 features multiple triggers that can cause MS Edge to load automatically. To de-activate them:
MicrosoftEdgeShadowStackRollbackTaskMicroosftEdgeUpdateTaskMachineCoreMicroosftEdgeUpdateTaskMachineUA
How to Stop Microsoft Edge From Opening Automatically on Mac
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.
Disable Edge as the Default Browser
If Microsoft Edge opens automatically whenever you select a link on your Mac, set a different browser as the default on your Mac.
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 via the Mac’s Dock. Just Control-click the Microsoft Edge icon on the Dock, select Options, and deactivate the Open at Login setting.
Disable Edge as a Startup Program via System Preferences
Alternatively, you can use the System Preferences app to prevent Microsoft Edge from loading at startup.
You Can Also Uninstall Microsoft Edge
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, learn how to uninstall Microsoft Edge in Windows and macOS.
