Uninstalling Microsoft Edge

[Photobug1079]

Does anyone have any experience with uninstalling Microsoft Edge?

I am unable to use the browser and am using an alternative browser, which works fine.   I would like to uninstall Edge, but have read that doing that could make Windows 10 unstable because Edge is so tightly integrated.

Any comments would be appreciated.

[nukecad]

Edge is built into Windows as you have read.

If you don't want to use it then just ignore it and use your own choice of browser, lots of us do.

But why do you say 'unable to use it'? Is that just a preference or is it not working?

 

[Photobug1079]

I'm unable to start it up.  It seems to initialize, but after about 15 seconds, it just freezes.  It aborts by itself after about a minute.

I'd like to see if I can repair it, as it has a few features that I like to use.

Currently, I'm just ignoring it, as you've suggested.

Thanks for your comments.

[Andavari]

If it's Edge Chromium there's ways to do it, you'll have to search the web as it details removing it usually via PowerShell. Which you could then reinstall it to see if it will then work correct.

[hazelnut]

In Windows 10 got to Settings.. Apps... Microsoft Edge.. select Modify and then select Repair.

[nukecad]

As Hazelnut suggests, a repair will reinstall Edge which should fix any problems with the currently installation.

[Photobug1079]

Thanks for your reply.

I've done this several times with no success.

[nukecad]

Well, there are two options - you can either just keep ignoring it altogether  - or try to work out what is causing it to crash and fix it.

PS. Looking about the web you are not the only one having this particular problem with Edge Chromium.

Before suggesting things to try let's go back to basics with a few questions,

Can you tell us which version and build of Windows 10 you are running? You can find that in Settings>System>About.

And which antivirus/version you are using if it isn't Windows Defender.

Are you using a Microsoft Account to log into Windows, or a Local Account?

Is this the old Edge or Edge Chromium? (It should be Edge Chromium but it's always possible that you may still have the old one).
You can tell by the icon, Edge Chromium icon looks like my screenshot in the Apps & Features screenshot above. Old Edge looks more like an 'e'.

Have you added any extensions/add-ons to Edge?

Have you set a 'Homepage' for Edge rather than it's standard homepage?

[Photobug1079]

1.  I'm running Windows 10 Home, version 21H1

OS Build 19043.1165

2.  Antivirus is Norton 360 Deluxe

3.  Microsoft Account

.4.  Edge Chromium.  I don't recall having any problems with the "old" Edge

5.  Only extensions are:  All Video Downloader professional and Norton Safe Web.  Both have been installed for quite some time

6.  My Homepage is set to msn.com.

I have another computer running Windows 10.  Settings are the same as above, but I have no issues with running Edge.

Would appreciate any additional comments.

Thank you.

[nukecad]

Nothing stands out as being odd there, so I'd try a shotgun approach. (not literally, shooting your computer will cause it to stop working).

Although probably not related, I would check that your Norton 360 is up to date, we had another user recently who's Norton 360 was saying it was up to date when it wasn't.
In Norton 360 the version number should be shown in Help>About
https://www.nortonlifelockpartner.com/faq/art/how-do-i-check-the-version-of-my-norton-security-software-including-patch/

The latest version as of 20th August 2021 is 22.21.6.53
https://www.nortonlifelockpartner.com/faq/art/what-is-the-latest-version-of-norton-security/

 

If you can get into Edge then I would also try disabling those extensions to see if either of them is causing an issue.
Particularly the video downloader. There is an 'always ongoing' war between Youtube and video downloaders that can have odd effects at times as Youtube change things to try and block people downloading.
(Earlier this year just trying to watch Youtube would crash Edge Chromium for some people).

Same with the homepage, temporarily change it to something else to see if that makes a difference.

I'd run  DISM, with the Restorehealth option, followed by sfc /scannow, just to be sure that the system image is OK. (DISM in particular can take some time).
https://www.howtogeek.com/222532/how-to-repair-corrupted-windows-system-files-with-the-sfc-and-dism-commands/

You could also try booting Win 10 into 'Safe Mode with Networking' to see if Edge behaves itself there.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/start-your-pc-in-safe-mode-in-windows-10-92c27cff-db89-8644-1ce4-b3e5e56fe234

 

Sometimes though issues with Microsoft apps like Edge defy all efforts, until they suddenly start working properly again after a Windows Update.

[Photobug1079]

Thanks a lot...I will try them.

One more thing that is kind of interesting.

I had set up an additional user on this computer (User 2).  Edge works fine when I log in as this user.  Can't figure that out!

[nukecad]

29 minutes ago, Photobug1079 said:

Thanks a lot...I will try them.

One more thing that is kind of interesting.

I had set up an additional user on this computer (User 2).  Edge works fine when I log in as this user.  Can't figure that out!

That is interesting,

User profiles can become corrupted which can give strange problems, up to and including not being able to log into that account.

Sometimes it can be fixed, sometimes is suggested to create a new Admin user and just delete the old corrupted one.
(It's usually suggested when nothing else seems to be fixing strange issues).

Take a look at this article:
https://helpdeskgeek.com/windows-10/how-to-fix-a-corrupt-user-profile-in-windows-10/

[Photobug1079]

Thanks for sending the link.  A lot of the behavior that I've seen from trying many things indicates that a corrupt user account may be causing my problem.

There's some interesting stuff that I'll try and see how that works out.

Thanks again.