How to Remove Microsoft Edge from the Start Menu in Windows 10

Learn how to remove Microsoft Edge from the Start Menu in Windows 10 with this easy guide. Follow the steps and screenshots to get rid of the unwanted browser icon.

Microsoft Edge is the default web browser in Windows 10, but not everyone likes it. Some users prefer to use other browsers, such as Google Chrome or Firefox, and don’t want to see the Edge icon in their Start Menu. If you are one of them, you might be wondering how to remove Microsoft Edge from the Start Menu in Windows 10. In this article, we will show you how to do it in a few simple steps.

Why Remove Microsoft Edge from the Start Menu?

There are several reasons why you might want to remove Microsoft Edge from the Start Menu in Windows 10. Here are some of them:

• You don’t use Microsoft Edge and want to declutter your Start Menu.
• You want to avoid accidentally opening Microsoft Edge when you click on the Start Menu.
• You want to prevent Microsoft Edge from updating automatically and consuming your bandwidth and disk space.
• You want to reduce the risk of malware or phishing attacks that might target Microsoft Edge.

How to Remove Microsoft Edge from the Start Menu in Windows 10

Removing Microsoft Edge from the Start Menu in Windows 10 is not as straightforward as uninstalling other apps. This is because Microsoft Edge is a core component of the operating system and cannot be easily removed. However, there are some workarounds that can help you hide or disable the Edge icon from the Start Menu. Here are two methods that you can try:

Method 1: Rename the Microsoft Edge Folder

One way to remove Microsoft Edge from the Start Menu in Windows 10 is to rename the folder where the Edge app is stored. This will prevent Windows from recognizing and displaying the Edge icon in the Start Menu. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Open File Explorer and go to C:\Windows\SystemApps.
2. Find the folder named Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe and right-click on it.
3. Select Rename and change the name to something else, such as Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.bak.
4. Click Yes if you see a User Account Control prompt asking for permission.
5. Restart your computer and check the Start Menu. You should no longer see the Microsoft Edge icon.

Note: This method will also prevent you from opening Microsoft Edge from other places, such as the taskbar, the desktop, or the search box. If you want to restore Microsoft Edge, you will need to rename the folder back to its original name and restart your computer.

Method 2: Edit the Registry

Another way to remove Microsoft Edge from the Start Menu in Windows 10 is to edit the registry and disable the Edge app from the Start Menu. This will not affect the functionality of Microsoft Edge, but it will hide the icon from the Start Menu. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type regedit and click OK to open the Registry Editor.
3. Navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer
4. If you don’t see the Explorer key, right-click on the Windows key and select New > Key. Name it Explorer.
5. Right-click on the Explorer key and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it NoStartPageWebBrowser.
6. Double-click on the NoStartPageWebBrowser value and change its data to 1.
7. Click OK and close the Registry Editor.
8. Restart your computer and check the Start Menu. You should no longer see the Microsoft Edge icon.

Note: This method will only remove Microsoft Edge from the Start Menu, but not from other places, such as the taskbar, the desktop, or the search box. If you want to restore Microsoft Edge to the Start Menu, you will need to delete the NoStartPageWebBrowser value or change its data to 0 and restart your computer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about removing Microsoft Edge from the Start Menu in Windows 10.

Question: Can I uninstall Microsoft Edge from Windows 10?

Answer: No, you cannot uninstall Microsoft Edge from Windows 10, as it is a core component of the operating system. However, you can remove it from the Start Menu using the methods described above, or you can set another browser as your default browser and ignore Microsoft Edge.

Question: What are the benefits of using Microsoft Edge?

Answer: Microsoft Edge is a modern and fast web browser that offers some benefits, such as:

• Integration with Microsoft services, such as Cortana, OneDrive, and Office 365.
• Support for extensions, themes, and collections.
• Privacy and security features, such as tracking prevention, password monitor, and InPrivate mode.
• Compatibility and performance improvements, as it is based on the Chromium engine.

Question: How can I update Microsoft Edge to the latest version?

Answer: Microsoft Edge updates automatically in the background, so you don’t need to do anything to get the latest version. However, if you want to check for updates manually, you can follow these steps:

1. Open Microsoft Edge and click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner.
2. Select Settings and then click on About Microsoft Edge.
3. If there is an update available, it will download and install automatically.
4. Restart Microsoft Edge to apply the update.

Summary

In this article, we have shown you how to remove Microsoft Edge from the Start Menu in Windows 10 using two methods: renaming the Microsoft Edge folder or editing the registry. These methods will help you hide or disable the Edge icon from the Start Menu, but they will not uninstall Microsoft Edge from your system. If you want to use another browser as your default browser, you can do so by changing the default app settings in Windows 10.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Editing the registry can cause serious problems if done incorrectly, so proceed with caution and back up your registry before making any changes. We are not responsible for any damage or loss caused by following the instructions in this article.