Are you tired of Microsoft Edge hijacking your default browser settings, popping up notifications, or auto-updating against your will? 😤 You're not alone! As Windows' default browser, Microsoft Edge is deeply integrated, making traditional uninstalls tricky. But fear not – using Command Prompt (CMD) gives you superuser control to uninstall Microsoft Edge completely. This guide delivers precise, battle-tested steps for the latest Windows versions, ensuring a clean removal without leftovers. Let's dive in and reclaim your PC! 🚀
⚠️ Important Warnings Before You Start
- Backup your data: Though rare, mistakes can affect system stability.
- Run as Administrator: CMD must have elevated privileges.
- Edge may reinstall: Windows Updates can bring it back. We'll cover prevention tips.
- This works on Windows 10/11 (including latest builds). Not for Edge on ARM or enterprise-managed PCs.
Prerequisites: Get CMD Ready in 30 Seconds
- Press Win + R, type
cmd, then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter. ✅
- Click "Yes" on the UAC prompt.
- Verify admin: Type
whoami and hit Enter – it should show "administrator".
Method 1: PowerShell via CMD (Most Reliable for Full Removal) ⭐
The gold standard for uninstalling Microsoft Edge via Command Prompt. PowerShell targets Edge's provisioned packages, removing it for all users. Copy-paste these exact commands!
- Remove for current user:
powershell -Command "Get-AppxPackage *edge* | Remove-AppxPackage"
- Remove for all users (provisioned):
powershell -Command "Get-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online | Where-Object DisplayName -like '*Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge*' | Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online"
- Restart your PC:
shutdown /r /t 0
Voila! Edge is gone from Start Menu, desktop, and defaults. If it lingers, proceed to cleanup.
Method 2: Winget Uninstall (Newest, One-Liner Magic) ✨
For the latest Windows with Winget pre-installed (Windows 10 1809+), this is lightning-fast. Winget is Microsoft's official package manager – no downloads needed!
- Update Winget:
winget upgrade --all
- Uninstall Edge:
winget uninstall "Microsoft.Edge"
- Force if stubborn:
winget uninstall "Microsoft.Edge" --force
Pro tip: List installed Edges first with winget list edge to confirm versions. 🎉
Method 3: Direct Installer Cleanup (For Stubborn Stable Channel Edge)
If Methods 1-2 fail (rare on non-default installs), target the executable directly.
- Navigate:
cd "%PROGRAMFILES(X86)%\Microsoft\Edge\Application"
- List versions:
dir /b Installer
- Uninstall (replace [VERSION] e.g., 128.0.2739.42):
"%PROGRAMFILES(X86)%\Microsoft\Edge\Application\[VERSION]\Installer\setup.exe" --uninstall --system-level --force-uninstall
Cleanup Leftovers: Registry & Files (Optional but Recommended)
Ensure no ghosts remain. Use these post-uninstall.
| Task |
CMD Command |
| Delete Edge folders |
rd /s /q "%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Edge"
rd /s /q "%PROGRAMFILES(X86)%\Microsoft\Edge" |
| Clean registry (backup first!) |
reg delete "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate" /f |
| Prevent reinstall |
Block via Group Policy: gpedit.msc → Computer Config → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Edge → "Prevent installation" |
Troubleshooting Common Errors 🔧
- "Access Denied": Re-run CMD as admin. 🛡️
- "Package not found": Edge variant? Try
Get-AppxPackage *MicrosoftEdge* to list.
- Reinstalls on update: Disable Edge updates in
regedit (HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate → UpdateDefault = 0). Or use Microsoft Docs.
- Windows 11 specifics: If SxS (side-by-side) Edge persists, add
--msedge flag in winget.
Alternatives After Uninstall: Better Browsers Await!
Now that Edge is history, try these:
- Google Chrome or Firefox for speed.
- Brave for privacy (blocks ads natively). 😎
- Set defaults: Settings → Apps → Default apps.
Congratulations! You've mastered how to uninstall Microsoft Edge via Command Prompt. Your PC feels lighter already. Share this guide if it helped – and drop a comment below: What browser are you switching to? 👇 Stay tuned for more CMD hacks!