Uninstalling Microsoft Edge on Windows 11 is a straightforward process, but it requires some careful steps. Basically, you will be using PowerShell, a task automation and configuration management framework, to accomplish this. While it may sound a bit techy, it’s actually pretty simple if you follow along closely.
How to Uninstall Microsoft Edge Windows 11
This guide will take you through the steps to uninstall Microsoft Edge from your Windows 11 system. You’ll be using PowerShell to execute commands that will remove Edge from your machine. Follow these steps carefully to ensure a smooth process.
Step 1: Open PowerShell as an Administrator
First, press the Windows key, type “PowerShell,” right-click on Windows PowerShell, and select “Run as administrator.”
Opening PowerShell as an administrator is crucial because it gives you the permissions needed to uninstall system apps like Microsoft Edge. Without these permissions, the commands won’t work.
Step 2: Find the Edge Installation Path
Type the following command in PowerShell: cd %ProgramFiles(x86)%MicrosoftEdgeApplication{Version}Installer .
This command navigates to the location where Microsoft Edge is installed on your computer. The {Version} placeholder represents the version number of Edge, which you need to replace with the actual version installed on your system.
Step 3: Execute the Uninstall Command
Type the following command: .setup.exe –uninstall –system-level –verbose-logging –force-uninstall .
This command triggers the uninstallation process of Microsoft Edge. The parameters ensure that the uninstallation is thorough and runs at the system level.
Step 4: Confirm the Uninstallation
A prompt will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall. Click “Uninstall” to proceed.
Confirming the action is necessary to prevent accidental removal of programs. This step ensures you are certain about uninstalling Microsoft Edge.
Step 5: Restart Your Computer
Finally, restart your computer to complete the uninstallation process.
Restarting your system ensures that all changes take effect, and any remaining files associated with Microsoft Edge are removed.
After completing these steps, Microsoft Edge will be uninstalled from your Windows 11 system. You might notice a difference in how certain links or web-based applications behave, as Edge is no longer the default browser.
Tips for Uninstalling Microsoft Edge Windows 11
- Always back up your data before making significant system changes.
- Remember that uninstalling Edge might affect some Windows features that rely on the browser.
- If you change your mind, you can reinstall Edge from the Microsoft website.
- Check for updates for other browsers you plan to use instead of Edge.
- Use the PowerShell command prompt responsibly, as improper commands can affect your system.
Can I reinstall Microsoft Edge after uninstalling it?
Yes, you can reinstall Microsoft Edge by downloading it from the official Microsoft website.
Will uninstalling Edge affect my Windows 11 updates?
No, uninstalling Microsoft Edge won’t affect the Windows 11 update process.
Is it safe to use PowerShell for uninstalling Edge?
Yes, it is safe as long as you follow the steps correctly.
Will uninstalling Edge remove my bookmarks and history?
Yes, uninstalling Edge will remove your bookmarks and browser history unless you sync them with a Microsoft account.
What should I do if the uninstallation fails?
If the uninstallation fails, ensure you are running PowerShell as an administrator and that you’ve entered the commands correctly.
Summary
- Open PowerShell as an Administrator.
- Find the Edge Installation Path.
- Execute the Uninstall Command.
- Confirm the Uninstallation.
- Restart Your Computer.
Conclusion
Uninstalling Microsoft Edge on Windows 11 doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By following the steps outlined above, you can quickly and easily remove the browser from your system. Remember, it’s always a good idea to back up your data before making any significant changes to your computer. If you ever need Microsoft Edge again, it’s simple to reinstall it from the Microsoft website. For more tips on how to manage software and optimize your Windows 11 experience, stay tuned to our blog. Removing an unwanted browser might seem like a small change, but it can significantly improve your computer’s performance and your overall user experience. Happy computing!
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.
Read his full bio here.
Printers can be a source of problems for many computer users. They have a lot of moving parts that need to be replaced, and they require constant replenishment of very expensive ink and toner.
A printer that was previously working perfectly may even start saying that it’s offline, such as described in this article .
Occasionally a printer will break, stop working, or get replaced, so you need to uninstall it from your computer.
Often this can be as simple as removing the device from Windows 7. But it can also be a little more complicated than that, especially if the problem that you were having was related to a bad driver installation or a hidden file stuck in your print queue.
Fortunately, our guide below can provide some solutions to the problems that you are having as you try to completely remove a printer from your Windows 7 computer.
Removing a Printer and Printer Driver in Windows 7
The guide below is going to show how to first remove a printer in Windows 7, then how to remove a print driver in Windows 7, then a couple of troubleshooting steps if a print driver will not uninstall.
You are going to be performing some actions that require you to have administrator access to Windows 7, so make sure that you are either signed into an Administrator account, or that you have the administrator credentials for your computer.
Before you get started, check that your printer doesn’t have a specific program installed with it. In some cases uninstalling the program for the printer can take care of the entire uninstall process for you. Simply disconnect the printer cable from the computer first, then uninstall the printer program like any other program in Windows 7 by following the steps in this article .
If this is not an option for you, however, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Disconnect the printer cable from the computer, if it is a USB connection.
Step 2: Click the Start button at the bottom-left corner of the screen.
Step 2: Click Devices and Printers in the column at the right side of the menu.
Step 3: Locate the printer that you want to remove. In this case we are removing the Brother MFC 490CW.
Step 4: Right-click the printer, then click Remove Device .
Step 5: Click the Yes option to confirm that you want to remove the printer. Don’t close this window just yet, though.
At this point the printer is removed from your computer, and you will no longer be able to print to it. For a lot of people, this is a sufficient stopping point. But the driver is still on the computer, and if you have been trying to re-install the printer but keep encountering an error, then it could be an issue with the driver. So you can follow the steps below to delete the print driver as well.
Step 6: Click another printer icon once to select it, then click the Print Server Properties option in the blue bar at the top of the window.
Step 7: Click the Drivers tab at the top of this window.
Step 8: Click the driver for the printer you just removed, then click the Remove button .
Step 9: Click the Remove driver and driver package option, then click the OK button.
Step 10: Click the Yes button to confirm that you want to delete the driver and driver package.
Step 11: Click the Delete button to complete deletion of the printer driver.
You might get an error at this point saying that the driver is in use and that it cannot be deleted. This can occur if there is a document that is still stuck in the print queue , so we need to take a couple more steps.
Step 12: Click the Start button at the bottom-left corner of your screen again, type “ Services ” into the search bar at the bottom of the menu, then hit Enter on your keyboard.
Step 13: Scroll down and select the Print Spooler option.
Step 14: Right-click on Print Spooler , then click the Stop option. Leave this window open for now.
Step 15: Click the Start button at the bottom-left corner of the screen, then click Computer in the column at the right side of the window.
Step 16: Double-click your hard drive at the center of the window.
Step 17: Double-click the Windows folder, double-click System32 , double-click spool , then double-click PRINTERS . So the location you want to be at now is C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS , which should look similar to the image below.
Step 18: Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select everything in this folder, press the Delete key on your keyboard (the actual key that says “Delete” or “Del”. Not the “Backspace” key), then click Yes to confirm that you want to delete these files.
Step 19: Click Continue and provide Administrator access to confirm that you want to delete these files.
Step 20: Return to the Services window that we left open in Step 14, scroll to Print Spooler , right-click it, then click Start .
Step 21: Return to the Devices and Printers window that we left open all the way back in Step 5.
Step 22: Repeat Step 6 – Step 11 to delete the printer driver. The error telling you that it was in use should now be gone.
If you are still unable to delete the printer driver, then restart your computer, and repeat steps 6-11 one more time. If the driver is deleting but the driver package remains, then there may be another user on your computer that has the printer installed on their profile. You will also need to delete the printer and the driver for those users as well.
If you are still experiencing problems, then you should contact your printer’s manufacturer for additional troubleshooting steps related to that specific printer model.
If you’re getting rid of a problematic printer and are in search of a good new one, the Brother HL-2270DW could be the right printer for you. It is a wireless black and white laser printer that is fast, easy to use, and affordable. Check it out here .
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.
Read his full bio here.
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