How To Uninstall Edge from Windows 11 Easily

Removing Microsoft Edge from Windows 11 isn’t exactly straightforward, and honestly, it’s a bit of a pain. Windows tends to hold onto Edge tight because it’s integrated so deeply—part of the OS, so to speak. But if you’re tired of having it stubbornly stick around or just want to tidy up your app list, there are ways to do it, mainly through command line magic. Just a heads up, this isn’t a foolproof method—Windows might try to reinstall Edge after updates, so it’s worth considering some extra steps if you really want it gone for good.

How to Remove Edge from Windows 11

Open Command Prompt as Administrator

First, you gotta open up the command prompt with admin rights. Right-click the Start button and select “Windows Terminal (Admin)” or “Command Prompt (Admin)” depending on your setup. It’s important because you need elevated permissions to delete system files. On some setups, you might also find it under Settings > Privacy & Security > For Developers or just search “cmd” in the start menu, right-click, and choose Run as administrator.

On Windows 11, the terminal experience combines PowerShell and Command Prompt, so don’t get confused. Just make sure it’s running with admin privileges—without that, commands won’t go through and you’ll probably get permission errors.

Navigate to the Edge Installation Folder

Next, type in this command:

cd "%PROGRAMFILES(X86)%\Microsoft\Edge\Application"

This sets your current directory into where Edge is installed—kind of like opening the folder in File Explorer, but on the command line. Sometimes, the path might be different if you installed a standalone version or a different build, so don’t sweat it if that exact folder isn’t where you expected.

Pro tip: if the folder isn’t there, you might need to look into `%LOCALAPPDATA%` paths or check via File Explorer manually. Also, keep in mind that there could be multiple versions, so be careful to identify the correct one.

Find the Current Version Number of Edge

Type:

dir

and hit Enter. This lists all the contents in the folder. Look for a folder named with numbers like “91.0.864.59” or similar—that’s the current version of Edge installed. If there’s more than one, pick the latest or the one you want to remove.

Yeah, it’s a little messy, but Windows just likes to keep piling up versions here. On some setups, the folders might be hidden or not obvious, so be patient.

Enter the Installer Directory

Now, switch into the installer folder with:

cd [version_number]\Installer

Replace [version_number] with the folder name you found. For example, if the folder was 91.0.864.59, then type:

cd 91.0.864.59\Installer

This gets you into the actual directory with the setup files needed for uninstallation. It’s kinda sneaky because Edge doesn’t just sit in one place—it’s scattered, so this step is crucial.

Uninstall Edge

Finally, run this command:

setup.exe --uninstall --system-level --verbose-logging --force-uninstall

This tells Edge to go away, no questions asked. It’s not super elegant, and sometimes it might fail if the system is stubborn or some files are locked. On some setups, the command might hang or throw an error, so be ready for some troubleshooting if needed. In some cases, you’ll see it working and in others…not so much.

Because Windows is sneaky, it might try to reinstall Edge after big updates or even silently background processes. If you’re serious about keeping it off, consider disabling automatic updates or blocking the reinstall through group policies or registry tweaks—though that’s a bit more advanced.

Tips for Removing Edge from Windows 11

Back up your important stuff first—just in case things go sideways.
If command line feels too daunting, some third-party uninstallers claim to help track down stubborn apps. Not my favorite, but they sometimes work.
Pause Windows Updates temporarily to prevent automatic reinstallation of Edge. You can do this via Settings > Windows Update > Pause updates for 7 days or longer if needed.
Check Settings > Privacy & Security > Windows Update > Advanced options and toggle off automatic updates if you really want to keep Edge out of sight for a bit.
Just be aware that Microsoft might change the way Edge is installed or reinstalled, so what works today might need adjustments tomorrow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to remove Edge from Windows 11?

Removing Edge is a bit risky because some Windows features depend on it, especially if you use certain apps for PDFs or web content. If you’re okay with troubleshooting potential issues, it’s generally okay—just keep in mind you might stumble upon some hiccups later.

Can Edge be reinstalled if wanted?

Yep, you can grab it again from the official Microsoft Edge download page. And if you’ve done some deep cleaning, Windows updates tend to bring it back unless you block it.

Why does Windows keep reinstalling Edge?

Because Edge is kinda baked into the system as a core app, Windows sees it as essential. Updates often include reinstallation scripts or modifications that put Edge right back. Disabling updates or patching system files can prevent this, but do so carefully.

What if commands don’t work?

This can happen if permissions aren’t quite right or paths are off. Double-check your directories, ensure you’re running as administrator, and watch out for typos. Sometimes, running the command in PowerShell instead of cmd can make a difference. If nothing works, forums like Reddit or Microsoft support forums can offer some ideas.

Summary

Run command prompt as admin.
Navigate to Edge’s install directory.
Identify the current version folder.
Switch into the installer folder.
Execute the uninstall command.

Wrap-up

Removing Edge isn’t exactly plug-and-play, but with a bit of patience, it’s doable. The process feels a little hacky, and Windows is sneaky about reinstalling it, so keep that in mind. Still, taking control over what’s on your system feels good, especially if Edge isn’t your thing. Just remember to back up, be cautious with commands, and not to panic if things don’t go perfectly the first time. Hopefully, this method cuts down the clutter and gives you a leaner Windows 11 setup.