To uninstall Microsoft Edge from Windows 10 or Windows 11, use Winhance to remove it in one click and permanently prevent it from reinstalling. Outside the EU, the uninstall button is grayed out in Windows Settings, so you need a third-party tool. Winhance, the Chris Titus Windows Utility, and HiBit Uninstaller all work — this guide covers all three methods.
Applies to: Windows 10 (22H2), Windows 10 LTSC/IoT LTSC, and Windows 11 (23H2, 24H2, 25H2) | Last updated: April 1, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Winhance is the recommended method — it removes Edge in one click and sets up scheduled tasks that automatically uninstall it again if Windows updates try to reinstall it.
- The Chris Titus Windows Utility temporarily sets your region to the EU, then uses Microsoft’s own built-in uninstall function to remove Edge cleanly.
- HiBit Uninstaller force-removes Edge and cleans up leftover files and registry entries for users who prefer a manual approach.
- Always install an alternative browser before removing Edge. Uninstalling Edge also breaks the Windows 11 Widgets feature.
- The Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime should stay installed — apps like Adobe products depend on it.
Quick Steps (Winhance Method)
- Install an alternative browser (Chrome, Firefox, Brave, etc.).
- Download and install Winhance.
- In the Software and App section, select Microsoft Edge.
- Click Remove Selected Items and confirm.
- Edge is now uninstalled and will stay off your system permanently.
In This Guide
This guide covers three different methods to uninstall Microsoft Edge:
- Method 1: Winhance — One-click removal with permanent auto-reinstallation prevention. (Recommended)
- Method 2: Chris Titus Windows Utility — Uses the EU region trick to unlock the built-in uninstall option.
- Method 3: HiBit Uninstaller — Manual force removal with leftover file cleanup.
Method 1: Remove Microsoft Edge With Winhance (Recommended)
I created Winhance to help people take back control of their Windows installation. One of its most popular features is the ability to completely remove Microsoft Edge and keep it off permanently.
Step 1: Download and Install Winhance
You have two options to install Winhance:
- PowerShell command (quick install) — open PowerShell as admin and run:
irm "https://get.winhance.net" | iex- Manual download — download the installer from winhance.net
Step 2: Select and Remove Microsoft Edge
When you open Winhance, you will see the Software and App section. Find Microsoft Edge in the list and select it. You can select other bloatware to remove at the same time if you want, but for this guide I am focusing on Edge only.
Click Remove Selected Items, confirm the removal, and wait about 30 seconds. Once it finishes, Microsoft Edge is completely uninstalled from your system.
How Winhance Keeps Edge Off Permanently
What makes Winhance different from the other methods is that it does not just do a one-time uninstall. It sets up scheduled tasks in Windows Task Scheduler that automatically check for and remove Edge whenever it reappears — whether from a manual reinstall or a Windows update.
The removal script runs when you log into your user profile. So if Edge gets reinstalled during an update and you restart your computer, within a few seconds of logging in Winhance’s scheduled task will kick in and remove it again automatically. You do not need to open Winhance or do anything.
Tip: If you want to use Edge again later, open Winhance, go to the Software and App screen, and click the Help button. You will see the Winhance status screen showing active removal tasks. Click the Microsoft Edge icon to disable the scheduled task, then reinstall Edge normally.
Method 2: Remove Microsoft Edge With the Chris Titus Windows Utility
The Chris Titus Windows Utility is a popular community tool for debloating and optimizing Windows. Its Edge removal script temporarily sets your computer’s region to an EU country, which unlocks the standard uninstall button that Microsoft provides to EU users under the Digital Markets Act.
Step 1: Open PowerShell as Administrator
Right-click the Start button and select Terminal (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin). Click Yes on the UAC prompt.
Step 2: Launch the Utility
Paste the following command into PowerShell and press Enter:
irm "https://christitus.com/win" | iexThe utility GUI will open. If it does not fit your screen, double-click the title bar to maximize it.
Step 3: Run the Remove Edge Tweak
Go to the Tweaks tab, find Remove Microsoft Edge, select it (and nothing else), then click Run Tweaks. The script will temporarily change your region to an EU country, uninstall Edge using Microsoft’s built-in uninstaller, and then switch the region back.
Once finished, check your Start menu and Settings > Apps > Installed apps to confirm Edge is gone. The Edge Update component may still appear in the list but it will not reinstall Edge.
Note: Unlike Winhance, this method does not automatically prevent Edge from being reinstalled by future Windows updates. If Edge reappears after an update, you would need to run the utility again.
Method 3: Remove Microsoft Edge With HiBit Uninstaller
HiBit Uninstaller is a portable tool that can force-remove programs that Windows does not let you uninstall normally. This is a good option if you prefer a manual approach and want to clean up leftover files and registry entries.
- Download the portable version of HiBit Uninstaller from hibitsoft.ir. Extract the ZIP and launch the app.
- Find Microsoft Edge in the program list, right-click it, and select Force Removal.
- Check both cleanup boxes and click Scan, then Finish.
- Go to Tools > Windows Store Apps Manager, find Microsoft Edge, and click Uninstall Selected. Create a system restore point when prompted.
- Restart your computer. Edge will be fully removed.
Note: Like the Chris Titus method, HiBit does not prevent Edge from being reinstalled by future Windows updates. For permanent removal, use Winhance instead.
What Happens After Removing Microsoft Edge?
There are two things to be aware of after uninstalling Edge:
Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime stays installed. This is normal and expected. WebView2 is a separate component that many applications depend on, including Adobe products. Do not remove it — it does not include the Edge browser itself.
Windows 11 Widgets will stop working. The Widgets panel depends on Microsoft Edge. If you use Widgets regularly, you will need to keep Edge installed. For most users this is not a concern since the Widgets panel is rarely used.
How to Reinstall Microsoft Edge
If you change your mind and want Edge back, you can download it from microsoft.com/edge or install it through the Microsoft Store. You can also use the Chris Titus utility or Winhance’s External Software section to reinstall it.
If you used Winhance to remove Edge, remember to disable the auto-removal task first (Help button > click the Edge icon) — otherwise the scheduled task will uninstall it again the next time you log in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I uninstall Microsoft Edge without any third-party tools?
Only if you are in the EU. The European Digital Markets Act requires Microsoft to provide an uninstall button for Edge in EU countries. Outside the EU, the uninstall button is grayed out and you need one of the methods described in this guide.
Will removing Microsoft Edge break Windows or cause problems with updates?
No. Removing Edge does not break Windows or interfere with Windows updates. The only feature affected is the Windows 11 Widgets panel, which depends on Edge. Everything else — including other browsers, Microsoft Store, and system updates — continues to work normally.
Will Windows Update reinstall Microsoft Edge after I remove it?
It can happen. Some Windows updates include Edge as part of the update payload. If you used Winhance, the scheduled removal task will automatically uninstall it again after you log in. If you used the Chris Titus utility or HiBit Uninstaller, you would need to run the removal process again manually.
Should I remove Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime too?
No. WebView2 is a separate component that many desktop applications depend on, including Adobe Creative Cloud apps. It does not include the Edge browser and uses minimal resources. Removing it will break applications that rely on it.
What browser should I install before removing Edge?
Any browser you prefer — Chrome, Firefox, Brave, Opera, or Vivaldi are all popular choices. Make sure you have at least one other browser installed before removing Edge so you still have a way to access the internet. If you forgot to install one first, Winhance’s External Software section can install a browser for you without needing Edge.
