How to disable Edge

Topic

If this question has  already been answered in another thread, I’d appreciate someone’s directing me there. I did an advanced search in this forum and found discussions on whether Edge can be uninstalled (and much of that was above my head), but nothing on simply disabling it.

I have a new computer with Windows 11 Pro Version 24H2. I’ve had two Windows 10 Pro computers (my current laptop and my now-deceased desktop), and with them Edge never intruded upon my privacy, because I kept Firefox set as my default browser. That doesn’t do the job with Windows 11, apparently. Every day there’s something new. Today, after I brought the computer out of sleep, I found that Edge had again launched by itself, this time for the purpose of entreating me to sign up for OneDrive.

Is this simply the the way Windows is now, or is there something I can do to get Edge to leave me alone?

Thanks.

Replies

I use Revo Uninstaller Pro (not free, but currently on sale) to force uninstall Edge.  It tries to come back every couple of weeks, first with Edge Update.  I have a shortcut on my desktop with the path to Edge installation location, and I check about once a week.  When I see that Edge Update is back, I do another forced uninstall.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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Bookman, BobStr

I have Revo, and could try an uninstall, but every so often I see comments about how uninstalling Edge can “break” Windows. I dunno about that, but I’m an idiot when it comes to such matters, so I’d rather not take the risk. So I’d still welcome any and all  advice on whether I can disable it.

Thanks.

 

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Bookman

Bob,

I use EdgeBlocker. It doesn’t uninstall it but it makes it inoperable.

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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Bookman, BobStr, samak

RetiredGeek wrote:

Bob,

I use EdgeBlocker. It doesn’t uninstall it but it makes it inoperable.

Very good to know.

One quick question about EdgeBlocker. I went to download it just now, and, preliminary to downloading, a pop-up asked for permission to install zipunzipfiles as an add-on. (See the attachment.) A quick Google search suggests that that’s a safe add-on which works, as the name implies, as a file extractor.

But since Windows already has an extractor, I don’t see the need to add another one. Or is there an important difference? And in any event, is giving permission to the installation of the add-on a prerequisite to downloading EdgeBlocker? The EdgeBlocker webpage itself doesn’t seem to say anything about it, or even mention zipunzipfiles at all.

Thanks.

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Bookman

I don’t get any pop-up, it just downloads a 1.2Mb zip file called EdgeBlock.zip

 

Windows 10 Home 22H2, Acer Aspire TC-1660 desktop + LibreOffice, non-techie

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BobStr

samak wrote:

I don’t get any pop-up, it just downloads a 1.2Mb zip file called EdgeBlock.zip

 

Just now I got around it by Googling for an alternative download site. Found it right away at Major Geeks. Same program/developer. So now I have it turned on, and am hoping for the best.

Thanks everyone for the help.

It’s difficult to prove a negative, but Edge didn’t pop up this morning, so I have to guess that Edge Blocker is working diligently to improve my life.

Moreover, I see that the Win 11 weather app now doesn’t show anything, so Edge Blocker definitely blocks stuff. I don’t use the weather app very often, but if/when I want to use it in the future it will be easy enough to turn EB off and then back on. So well done!

Thanks again for the recommendation.

That may be due to settings in O&O Shutup instead of Edge Blocker.

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satrow