How to uninstall Microsoft Edge on Windows 11

• To uninstall Edge on Windows 11, open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, click the “Microsoft Edge” app menu, and choose “Uninstall.” (This only works for EU users.)
• (Workaround) To remove Microsoft Edge on Windows 11 (or 10), open the “IntegratedServicesRegionPolicySet.json” file, set the “Edge is uninstallable” option to “enabled,” specify your device region, then turn off “Startup Boost” on the Edge browser (very important), and from the “Installed apps” settings page choose the “Uninstall” option from “Microsoft Edge.”
• These steps have been retested in March 2026 in version 25H2.

On Windows 11, removing Microsoft Edge is possible, but it remains a deliberately restricted process that requires a workaround in most regions.

While you can install alternatives like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox alongside Edge, some users prefer to remove the default browser entirely. The challenge is that Windows 11 still does not offer a standard uninstall option for Microsoft Edge in most markets.

This limitation changed under regulations such as the Digital Markets Act in the European Union, which requires Microsoft to give users more control over built-in apps and services, including Edge and the Bing experience. As a result, systems configured for EU regions now include an official way to remove the browser.

However, this option is not universally available. Outside the European Union, Windows 11 continues to restrict the uninstall of Edge through normal settings. The good news is that a reliable workaround allows you to uninstall the browser regardless of your device’s region.

Before proceeding, keep in mind that uninstalling Microsoft Edge may break certain system features and apps that depend on it. For example, Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) installed through Edge and some system components may stop working as expected.

In this guide, I’ll outline the steps to remove Edge from your Windows 11 or 10 computer.

• Uninstall Microsoft Edge from Settings app (EU)
• Uninstall Microsoft Edge from Settings app (non-EU)

Uninstall Microsoft Edge from Settings app (EU)

If you’re in the European Union, starting with the March 2024 update, you can remove the browser directly from the Settings app, without workarounds.

To uninstall the Edge browser from a device located in one of the countries of the European Union, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on Apps.

3. Click the Installed apps page.

   Quick tip: On Windows 10, open Settings > Apps > Apps & features to find and remove apps from the system.

4. Open the menu (three dots) button for Microsoft Edge and choose the Uninstall option.

   

5. Click the Uninstall button again.

Once you complete the steps, the browser will be removed from your computer.

Although the browser is no longer present, some links (such as articles from the Widgets board) will require Microsoft Edge to open. As a result, clicking these links will direct you to the Microsoft Store to download the browser instead of opening the link in the current default folder.

If you want to reinstall Microsoft Edge, open “Command Prompt” (admin) and run the winget install --id XPFFTQ037JWMHS command.

Uninstall Microsoft Edge from Settings app (non-EU)

To uninstall Microsoft Edge from Windows 11 in any region, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer (Windows key + E).

2. Type the following path in the address bar and press Enter:

   C:\Windows\system32

3. Right-click the IntegratedServicesRegionPolicySet.json file and choose the Properties option.

   

4. Click the Security tab.

5. Click the Advanced button.

   

6. Click the Change option for “Owner.”

   

7. Confirm the Administrators object name.

8. Click the Check Names button.

   

9. Click the OK button.

10. Click the OK button again.

11. Click the Edit button from the “Security” tab.

12. Select the Administrators item from the “Group or user names” section.

13. Check the Allow option for Full control from the “Permissions for Administrators” section.

    

14. Click the Apply button.

15. Click the Yes button.

16. Click the OK button.

17. Click the OK button again.

    Quick tip: Right-click the “IntegratedServicesRegionPolicySet.json” file, and copy and paste the file to another folder to have a configuration file backup.

18. Open Start.

19. Search for Notepad, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option to open the app.

20. Click on File and choose the Open option.

21. Open the IntegratedServicesRegionPolicySet.json file from the “C:\Windows\System32” path.

22. Open Start.

23. Search for regedit and click the top result to open the Registry.

24. Browse the following path and note the value of the “Name” String:

    HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\International\Geo

    

    Quick note: In my case, the value is “US.” You will need this information to edit the JSON file.

25. In the IntegratedServicesRegionPolicySet.json file for the “Edge is uninstallable.” setting, change the “defaultState” option from disabled to enabled.

    

26. In the “region” setting, in the “enabled” bracket, add the supported region. For example, “US” followed by a comma.

    Quick note: The line should follow this parent “US”, “AT”, “BE”, “BG”, “CH”.

27. Click on File and choose the Save option.

28. Open Microsoft Edge.

29. Click on the Settings and more (three dots) button.

30. Choose the Settings option.

31. Click on System and Performance.

32. Click on System.

33. Turn off the Startup boost toggle switch under the “System” section.

    

34. Restart the computer.

35. Open Settings (Windows key + I).

36. Click on Apps.

37. Click the Installed apps tab.

    Quick tip: On Windows 10, open Settings > Apps > Apps & features to find and remove apps from the system.

38. Open the menu (three dots) button for Microsoft Edge and choose the Uninstall option.

    

39. Click the Uninstall button again.

Once you complete the steps, Microsoft Edge will be completely removed from Windows 11 or 10, depending on the operating system. If the option to remove the browser is still unavailable, restart the computer a few times to ensure the system recognizes the changes.

When using this method, the system should not try to reinstall the browser after an update or running the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool.

FAQs about uninstalling Microsoft Edge

Here’s a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers about uninstalling the default browser on Windows 11.

Can you uninstall Microsoft Edge on Windows 11?

Yes, Microsoft Edge can be uninstalled on Windows 11, but the process is restricted in most regions. EU users can remove it directly via the Settings app, while non-EU users need a workaround involving JSON file edits and disabling Startup Boost.

What is the IntegratedServicesRegionPolicySet.json file in Windows 11?

It’s a system configuration file that controls region-specific app policies. Editing this file allows non-EU Windows 11 users to enable the “Edge is uninstallable” setting and remove Microsoft Edge safely.

How do I uninstall Microsoft Edge in Windows 11 if I’m outside the EU?

Open C:\Windows\System32\IntegratedServicesRegionPolicySet.json, set “Edge is uninstallable” to enabled, specify your region, disable Edge Startup Boost, then uninstall via Installed apps. Restart if needed.

Will uninstalling Microsoft Edge break my Windows 11 system?

Removing Edge can break certain features, such as Progressive Web Apps and links that depend on it. Some system functions may redirect to the Microsoft Store if the browser is missing.

How can I reinstall Microsoft Edge on Windows 11 after uninstalling it?

Open an elevated Command Prompt and run winget install --id XPFFTQ037JWMHS. This will reinstall the latest version of Microsoft Edge on your system.

Why can’t I uninstall Microsoft Edge normally on my Windows 11 PC?

Microsoft restricts the option to uninstall Edge in most regions to maintain system stability and integration with Windows features. Only EU devices have an official uninstall option; others require a JSON file workaround.

Can I remove Microsoft Edge completely without affecting system updates?

Yes, Microsoft Edge can be removed safely, but some system updates may reinstall it automatically. Using the JSON file workaround and disabling Startup Boost reduces this risk, but major feature updates may still restore Edge. It’s recommended to back up your system before removing it.

What happens to my default browser settings after uninstalling Edge?

After uninstalling Edge, Windows will retain your current default browser (like Chrome or Firefox). However, some system links, widgets, or features that are hard-coded to Edge may prompt you to reinstall it from the Microsoft Store.