Fixing Microsoft Edge if it’s Acting Up on Windows
Here’s the deal—I ran into a problem where Edge just wouldn’t play nice. It crashes randomly, gets stuck, or just refuses to open. At first, I thought it was some sort of glitch, but it turns out, more often than not, it’s not the browser itself but some Windows settings or a corrupted component causing the issues. Luckily, Windows has a handy repair tool built into its app management system that can fix Edge without going nuclear and deleting all your bookmarks, extensions, or preferences. The catch? Sometimes it’s not immediately obvious how to access it, and you might need to navigate through a few options to find the right one.
Finding Microsoft Edge in Windows Settings
The first step is to open your Settings. If you’re like me, just press Windows key + I—and presto—that opens Settings quickly. Then, look for Apps (or it might say Apps & Features, depending on your Windows version). This is where Windows lists almost everything installed on your system. Search for Microsoft Edge in that list. It might be labelled simply Edge, or sometimes as Microsoft Edge.
Note: On some systems, especially with customised OEM builds from brands like ASUS or Dell, Edge might be a part of the system image and managed differently—sometimes it’s embedded into the system with specific restrictions. If it’s missing from the app list, try updating Windows first or check if Edge was disabled or removed via OEM utilities. Also, bear in mind that in some cases, Edge is tightly integrated, and repairing it may require a reset or even a reinstall from the Microsoft Store.
Locating the Repair Option for Edge
In the app list, clicking on Microsoft Edge might reveal options like Modify or Advanced options. If you see Modify, that’s the one to click. It’s a built-in repair feature designed to fix corrupted files without touching your browsing data. If it’s not visible, don’t worry—it might be tucked away under Reset or a similar submenu. Sometimes, you need to click that first, then choose a repair or reset. This was the tricky part for me—I initially didn’t see the repair options and had to dig around a bit.
When you select Modify, Windows will prompt you for permission via User Account Control (UAC). Click Yes or enter your admin password if asked. It’s normal for Windows to spin for a moment—it’s working behind the scenes. During this process, Windows will attempt to replace or repair any corrupted core files related to Edge. I found that a stable internet connection is important because it downloads the latest files needed. If your connection drops out mid-process, the repair might fail or hang. If that happens, restart your PC and try again, making sure your internet is spot on.
Finishing Up: Relaunching Edge
Once the repair completes, you might see a confirmation or just nothing at all. Now, try opening Edge again. Most of the time, this fixes issues like crashes or freezes—nearly all my extensions, bookmarks, and settings remained intact. But if problems persist, I recommend redoing the repair, or resetting Edge via its Settings menu, or even reinstalling if necessary.
Personally, I find managing a repair easier and less disruptive than a full reinstall—your data usually remains safe, and it’s quicker. It took a few goes to get the hang of the process—sometimes the options are tucked away or require multiple attempts after a reboot.
Other Tips & Things to Keep in Mind
When troubleshooting Edge, remember that system updates, new Windows builds, or third-party apps can cause issues. Repairing the app generally sorts out most problems, especially if they crop up after updating Windows—a common culprit being corrupted files or misconfigurations. If nothing else works, you can uninstall Edge via the app list and reinstall it from the Microsoft Store, but I highly recommend trying the repair first—it’s less disruptive and keeps your saved data safe.
And if all else fails, resetting your PC or restoring Windows might be a last resort, but most issues are fixed with a repair — and it’s usually quicker too.
This was a bit of trial and error for me. Keep an eye out for the “Modify” button—sometimes it’s not immediately obvious. Also, ensure your Windows is fully up to date, as some fixes or repair options are included in updates. If you’re running an older version of Windows or have a heavily customised OEM build, options might look different or be restricted, so it’s best to update first.
Hope this helps — it took me ages to figure out the first time. Hopefully, this saves someone else a weekend of frustration.