No Bing, no Edge, no upselling: De-crufted Windows 11 coming to Europe soon

Topic

New Reply

“Those living in the European Economic Area (EEA)—which includes the EU and adds Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway—will soon get the volume turned down on their Windows 11 systems. To meet the demands of the European Commission’s Digital Markets Act—slated to be enforced in March 2024—Microsoft must make its apps easier to uninstall, its default settings easier to change, and its attempts at steering people toward its services easier to avoid.”

I have that now; no Bing, no Edge, no ads.

 

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

4 users thanked author for this post.

wavy, a, Lars220, Alex5723

Reply | Quote

Replies

Do you have a guide on how to do that? This would be a good time for me since I am at least temporarily not dependent on win 11.

I also assume you use WuMgr?
will do non ms login
Want:
no bing
no Edge.
no copilot – I assume you used the registry fixes AND the policy setting? win 11 23H2 Pro here)
Apparently I’m bored – I need something to do before the boring football games come on in the afternoon, and it’s going to be heavy rain here tomorrow so bad day for walk.
THANKS!
Yes, terabyte images throughout. So easy.

Reply | Quote

a wrote:

Do you have a guide on how to do that?

Not a specific guide, no.  I need to add that to my web site.

a wrote:

I also assume you use WuMgr?

No, I don’t do anything to dodge or delay updates/upgrades with the exception of blocking driver updates via Group Policy.

a wrote:

no bing

Bing (and other UWP Apps, and some Edge components) lives in Program Files\WindowsApps, which is a protected folder.  Administrator privileges won’t allow access.  I launch Process Hacker to run Command as trusted installer to get access, then the rd command with /s and /q switches to remove all of the USP Apps that I don’t want on my PC.  There are other tools online, also one can use a bootable Linux distro to accomplish the same thing.  Linux doesn’t care about Windows protections.

a wrote:

no Edge.

Revo Uninstaller using the Forced Uninstall option will easily get rid of Edge.  Feature updates will re-install it, just be vigilant about having to uninstall it again.  And clean out the Edge entries in Program Files\WindowsApps.

a wrote:

no copilot – I assume you used the registry fixes AND the policy setting? win 11 23H2 Pro here)

Nope.  I also have Win 11 Pro, but Copilot is impotent without Edge.  Uninstall Edge and the registry fixes have nothing to do.  The Copilot Preview icon in the Taskbar is just an Edge shortcut, and it won’t use any other browser to open.  I assume it will open Edge to a Bing page, but I haven’t been concerned about that, since it can’t do anything (so far) without Edge.

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

2 users thanked author for this post.

unbob, a

Reply | Quote

Note: I am now using a local login and have FF and TBird going on it.

I would like to know how to get rid of Edge and Bing.

Thanks!

Reply | Quote

Huge thanks – I will work on that!

Reply | Quote

bbearren wrote:

Bing (and other UWP Apps, and some Edge components) lives in Program Files\WindowsApps, which is a protected folder. Administrator privileges won’t allow access. I launch Process Hacker to run Command as trusted installer to get access, then the rd command with /s and /q switches to remove all of the USP Apps that I don’t want on my PC. There are other tools online, also one can use a bootable Linux distro to accomplish the same thing. Linux doesn’t care about Windows protections.

 

Sorry, I don’t understand. I installed Process Hacker 2 but there were a lot of optional things like start at system etc that I did not check – should I have? Also, once I start Process Hacker, what do I do with it. I do see that I cannot access WindowsApps.
Forget the above – I went over to linux and looked in there and saw about 5 bing news folders and 5 bing weather folders but nothing else re bing – was that all I had to delete? Wish I could get rid of Edge over there. I’ll wait for your answer on that!

 

Thanks!

Edit: also, in revo uninstaller portable free I do not see Edge anywhere. I do see Bing service and wondering if I should remove that? I’ll go image…

Note: I use Bing wallpaper, or is that a no-no with this? No prob if it is, I’ll use something else.

Reply | Quote

a wrote:

I went over to linux and looked in there and saw about 5 bing news folders and 5 bing weather folders but nothing else re bing – was that all I had to delete? Wish I could get rid of Edge over there. I’ll wait for your answer on that!

There are a couple of Edge entries in the WindowsApps folder to delete.  You can leave Bing if you’re using the wallpaper.  Copilot needs Edge to open, which then launches a Bing web page.  Those other Bing entries are for the Weather App, News App and such.  Those will still work without Edge.

a wrote:

Edit: also, in revo uninstaller portable free I do not see Edge anywhere.

Edge doesn’t show as an installed program.  You must use the Forced Uninstall option.

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

1 user thanked author for this post.

a

Reply | Quote

This is not going at all well.
Here is a list of folders in windowsapps. What should I remove?

win11-test-windowsapps

b) when I execute RevoUPort I get this – where would I find “force”

Thank you!

Reply | Quote

a wrote:

when I execute RevoUPort I get this – where would I find “force”

I’m using Revo Uninstaller Pro.

You’re using an old version.

Edge does not appear anywhere in Revo Uninstaller Pro as an uninstallable Application or Windows App.  That is the reason it is necessary to use the “Forced Uninstall” option to uninstall Edge.  The “Forced Uninstall” option is not available in the free version of Revo Uninstaller.  I’ve been using the Pro version for several years.

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

1 user thanked author for this post.

a

Reply | Quote

So I need to spend $25 to do this part. Is there a free alternative?

edit and I will likely have to uninstall it again after every windows update.

I could easily dedicate my life to this…

Thanks!

Reply | Quote

a wrote:

I will likely have to uninstall it again after every windows update. I could easily dedicate my life to this…

As I said, I’ve been using Revo Uninstaller Pro for several years, and the reason is that it is very thorough.  I booted into the B side of my daily driver, because I haven’t uninstalled Edge there since the last Feature Update.  This is how Revo Uninstaller works:

There is also an msedge.exe in the Webview folder.

In my experience, Revo Uninstaller Pro is worth the money, and I will continue using it until it doesn’t do what I need done; then I might look for an alternative.  Note the number of registry keys, values, folders and files that are successfully removed, and freeing up almost 2 GB.

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

1 user thanked author for this post.

a

Reply | Quote

a wrote:

Is there a free alternative?
Thanks!

Free portable Geek Uninstaller (with force uninstall).

Reply | Quote

Alex5723 wrote:

a wrote:

Is there a free alternative?
Thanks!

Free portable Geek Uninstaller (with force uninstall).

have you actually used this to remove edge? or just increasing your post count… I just dl and checked and it does not. So your cred just dropped. and I just wasted some time.

Reply | Quote

Try this – it works

1 user thanked author for this post.

a

Reply | Quote

a wrote:

have you actually used this to remove edge?

This is my goto uninstaller.
No, I didn’t use it to remove Edge. I don’t use Edge but it doesn’t bother me.

Reply | Quote

PKCano wrote:

Try this – it works

Thanks – I will image, then try this. Do I need admin?

Reply | Quote

You need to use an Admin ID. It’s a .bat file – run as Admin.
Read instructions/about on the site

1 user thanked author for this post.

a

Reply | Quote

PKCano wrote:

You need to use an Admin ID. It’s a .bat file – run as Admin.
Read instructions/about on the site

the readme.md in the .zip is unintelligible to me. I do not see instructions just for the .bat

Reply | Quote

Just double click the .bat
When it finishes, read what it says before you close PowerShell.
It will put back what it removes if you change your mind.

1 user thanked author for this post.

a

Reply | Quote

bbearren wrote:

As I said, I’ve been using Revo Uninstaller Pro for several years, and the reason is that it is very thorough.

yes it is. How many other things will I have to buy to get rid of copilot, edge, and bing? (I just put the (Susan’s) copilot registry and group policy changes on).(plus I am local logon now so supposedly copilot won’t work.)

Reply | Quote

I thought what the heck and looked at Revo more and it turns out that it is $25 for 1 year – actually 29 because I would want the portable because I keep changing migrating computers. 45 for 2 years. If you clear cookies you will get an “offer of 57% off but they don’t tell you which version.

MS will keep changing things so I would have to stay subscribed to get the updates. So it really is a forever thing. I expect I would have to use it once a month after updates.

I am imaged so I will try PKCano’s solution, then run update, then see if edge is there, then run PKCano’s again and see. Or simply restore and ignore Edge.

Much thanks to you both for your time!!!!!!!

Reply | Quote

PKCano wrote:

Just double click the .bat
When it finishes, read what it says before you close PowerShell.
It will put back what it removes if you change your mind.

I do not see where it will put back if you want(edit – oh I see just run it again. DUH), but, it went fine. This text has the orig execute command, a line of my comment, and the output of the run. Very quick.

I did run update but patch Tues is not for a couple days so only got 23057 whatever that is – tiny – very quick, and a preview which I deleted.

So, much to my surprise, I am at least temporarily w/o Edge. As noted, I am now on a local login and have done Susan’s registry and group policy fixes to disable copilot so I don’t think it has much of a chance. If the world does come to an end, I will copy this set of backup images to an offsite drive and keep it handy for a month or 3.

Thank you PKCano!!!!! By the by, I am guessing that that bat file will experience occasional changes so I am assuming that each time I need to run it I should go to github and grab it anew.

output-from-remove-edge-script

Reply | Quote

PKCano wrote:

When it finishes, read what it says before you close PowerSell.

You run the .bat again. This is the PowerShell window after you run the .bat file:

1 user thanked author for this post.

a

Reply | Quote

Yep – totally missed that the first time through!

Reply | Quote

You can check for an updated version number – in case MS makes changes the .bat gets updated

1 user thanked author for this post.

a

Reply | Quote

It is interesting to me – I had settled back into Mint before I changed (windows) things – Xfce for most things with vbox, and Cinnamon Edge for games – seemed easy.

Then I changed to a local (non-MS) login and removed Edge. Bing is still around but if I remove that search icon from the taskbar I don’t seem to encounter it at all. I have stayed with windows. It seems much easier, now. Maybe it’s psychological, but I’ll take it. I disabled Copilot so I don’t have to worry about that. It just runs. This occurred to me after I spent a while working on my new midi virtual organ using GrandOrgue. And realized I was still on windows. It just works. I’ll take it!

Thanks!!!

Reply | Quote

bbearren wrote:

a wrote:

I will likely have to uninstall it again after every windows update. I could easily dedicate my life to this…

As I said, I’ve been using Revo Uninstaller Pro for several years, and the reason is that it is very thorough.  I booted into the B side of my daily driver, because I haven’t uninstalled Edge there since the last Feature Update.  This is how Revo Uninstaller works:

There is also an msedge.exe in the Webview folder.

In my experience, Revo Uninstaller Pro is worth the money, and I will continue using it until it doesn’t do what I need done; then I might look for an alternative.  Note the number of registry keys, values, folders and files that are successfully removed, and freeing up almost 2 GB.

bbearren wrote:

In my experience, Revo Uninstaller Pro is worth the money, and I will continue using it until it doesn’t do what I need done; then I might look for an alternative. Note the number of registry keys, values, folders and files that are successfully removed, and freeing up almost 2 GB.

I used Revo Uninstaller Pro to uninstall Edge from Win10 and it was a thing of beauty watching it do it’s thing. Before it makes any changes, it creates a restore point and backs-up the Windows Registry. I had basically the same experience with tons of folders, files and Registry keys/values removed. Very impressed with it’s thoroughness and process. Fwiw, RUP is now on ‘Happy Holidays’ sale with a 57% discount plus further reduced price for each add’l license purchased. Very good deal and very happy with product!

 

Reply | Quote