How to Stop Microsoft Edge From Opening on Startup: A Comprehensive Guide

Microsoft Edge, the Chromium-based web browser from Microsoft, has significantly improved since its initial release. However, a common annoyance for many users is its tendency to launch automatically when Windows starts, even when it wasn’t explicitly set to do so. This can slow down your system’s boot time and consume valuable resources. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore various methods to prevent Edge from launching on startup, ensuring a smoother and more controlled computing experience.

Table of Contents

Understanding Why Edge Opens on Startup

Before diving into solutions, it’s crucial to understand the potential reasons behind Edge’s unwanted startup behavior. Several factors can contribute to this issue:

Startup Programs: Edge might be added to your startup programs, either intentionally or unintentionally during an update or installation.
Task Scheduler: A scheduled task might be configured to launch Edge at specific intervals, including system startup.
Background Apps: Certain background apps can trigger Edge to open, especially if they interact with web content or require browser functionality.
Fast Startup: Windows’ Fast Startup feature, while designed to speed up boot times, can sometimes interfere with startup program management.
Browser Settings: Specific settings within Edge itself can inadvertently cause it to launch on startup.

Method 1: Disabling Edge from Startup Programs

The most common culprit behind unwanted startup programs is their presence in the Startup section of the Task Manager or System Configuration utility. This is usually the first place to check.

Using Task Manager

Task Manager offers a straightforward way to manage startup programs in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Accessing Task Manager: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc simultaneously to open Task Manager. Alternatively, right-click on the Taskbar and select “Task Manager” from the context menu.
Navigating to the Startup Tab: In Task Manager, click on the “Startup” tab. If you don’t see the tabs, click “More details” in the bottom left corner.
Locating Microsoft Edge: Scroll through the list of startup programs and find “Microsoft Edge”. It may also appear under a slightly different name, so look for entries related to Microsoft or Edge.
Disabling Edge: Select the “Microsoft Edge” entry and click the “Disable” button in the bottom right corner. The “Status” column should change to “Disabled”.
Restarting Your Computer: Restart your computer to confirm that Edge no longer launches on startup.

Using System Configuration (msconfig)

While Task Manager is the preferred method, you can also use the System Configuration utility (msconfig) to manage startup programs. This is particularly useful for older versions of Windows.

Opening System Configuration: Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type “msconfig” and press Enter.
Navigating to the Startup Tab: In the System Configuration window, click on the “Startup” tab. Note that in Windows 10 and 11, this tab will redirect you to the Task Manager.
Locating Microsoft Edge: If the Startup tab does not redirect you to the Task Manager, then look for Microsoft Edge in the listed startup programs.
Disabling Edge: Uncheck the box next to “Microsoft Edge” to prevent it from launching on startup.
Applying Changes: Click “Apply” and then “OK”. You may be prompted to restart your computer.

Method 2: Disabling Edge from Task Scheduler

The Task Scheduler allows you to automate tasks on your computer, including launching applications. A scheduled task could be responsible for Edge opening on startup.

Opening Task Scheduler: Search for “Task Scheduler” in the Windows search bar and click on the “Task Scheduler” app.
Browsing the Task Library: In the Task Scheduler window, expand the “Task Scheduler Library” in the left pane.
Identifying Edge-Related Tasks: Carefully examine the tasks listed in the middle pane. Look for any tasks with names like “Microsoft Edge Update Task,” “Edge Auto Launch,” or similar descriptions that suggest they are related to launching Edge.
Disabling the Task: Right-click on the identified task and select “Disable”. Alternatively, select the task and click “Disable” in the right pane.
Restarting Your Computer: Restart your computer to verify that Edge no longer launches on startup.

Method 3: Adjusting Edge’s Startup Boost and Background App Settings

Edge has built-in features designed to improve performance, such as Startup Boost and background app functionality. While beneficial in some cases, these features can also contribute to Edge opening automatically.

Disabling Startup Boost

Startup Boost aims to launch Edge faster by keeping a minimal set of Edge processes running in the background.

Opening Edge Settings: Open Microsoft Edge. Click on the three dots (ellipsis) in the top right corner and select “Settings”.
Navigating to System and Performance: In the Settings menu, click on “System and Performance” in the left sidebar.
Disabling Startup Boost: Under the “Optimize performance” section, toggle the “Startup boost” option to the “Off” position.
Restarting Edge: Close and reopen Edge or restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Disabling Background Apps

Allowing Edge to run apps in the background can also contribute to its unwanted startup behavior.

Accessing Background App Settings: In the “System and Performance” settings within Edge (as described above), look for the “Continue running background apps when Microsoft Edge is closed” option.
Disabling Background Apps: Toggle the “Continue running background apps when Microsoft Edge is closed” option to the “Off” position. This prevents Edge from running processes in the background after you close the browser window.
Restarting Edge: Close and reopen Edge or restart your computer.

Method 4: Disabling Fast Startup

Windows’ Fast Startup feature, while intended to speed up boot times, can sometimes cause conflicts with startup programs. Disabling Fast Startup may resolve the issue of Edge launching automatically.

Opening Control Panel: Search for “Control Panel” in the Windows search bar and click on the “Control Panel” app.
Navigating to Power Options: In Control Panel, click on “Power Options”. If you are viewing by category, choose “Hardware and Sound” and then “Power Options”.
Choosing What the Power Buttons Do: In the left pane, click on “Choose what the power buttons do”.
Changing Settings That Are Currently Unavailable: Click on “Change settings that are currently unavailable”. You may need to provide administrator permissions.
Unchecking Turn on Fast Startup: Under “Shutdown settings”, uncheck the box next to “Turn on fast startup (recommended)”.
Saving Changes: Click “Save changes”.
Restarting Your Computer: Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Method 5: Checking for Malware

In rare cases, malware or other malicious software could be causing Edge to launch on startup. Running a comprehensive antivirus scan can help identify and remove any potential threats.

Using Windows Security: Windows has a built-in antivirus program called Windows Security (formerly Windows Defender). Search for “Windows Security” in the Windows search bar and click on the “Windows Security” app.
Running a Full Scan: In Windows Security, click on “Virus & threat protection”. Then, click on “Scan options” and select “Full scan”. Click “Scan now” to start the scan.
Using a Third-Party Antivirus: If you have a third-party antivirus program installed, run a full system scan using that program. Follow the instructions provided by your antivirus software.
Removing Detected Threats: If any threats are detected, follow the instructions provided by your antivirus software to remove or quarantine them.
Restarting Your Computer: Restart your computer after the scan and threat removal process is complete.

Method 6: Checking Browser Extensions

Sometimes a faulty or malicious browser extension can cause unexpected behavior, including launching the browser on startup. It is a good idea to review the extensions.

Opening Extensions Menu: In Edge, click the three dots in the upper-right corner and select “Extensions.” Then, click “Manage Extensions.”
Reviewing Installed Extensions: Look through the list of installed extensions and identify any that you don’t recognize, don’t use, or seem suspicious.
Removing Unnecessary Extensions: Click the “Remove” button to delete the extension from Edge.
Disabling Extensions: To test if an extension is causing the problem, you can disable extensions one by one and restart your computer to check if the issue persists.
Restarting Your Computer: Restart the computer to verify if removing or disabling an extension fixed the problem.

Method 7: Creating a New User Profile

In some cases, the problem might be linked to a corrupted user profile. Creating a new user profile can help determine if this is the case and resolve the issue.

Opening Settings: Press the Windows key, type “Settings”, and press Enter.
Navigating to Accounts: In the Settings app, click on “Accounts”.
Family & Other Users: In the Accounts menu, click on “Family & other users”.
Adding an Account: Under “Other users”, click “Add someone else to this PC”.
Microsoft Account or Local Account: Follow the on-screen prompts to create a new user account. You can choose to create a Microsoft account or a local account.
Logging into the New Account: After creating the new account, log out of your current account and log in to the new account.
Checking if the Issue Persists: Check if Edge still opens on startup in the new user account. If it doesn’t, then the problem is likely related to your original user profile.
Transferring Data (Optional): If the new user profile resolves the issue, you can transfer your data from the old profile to the new one. This process involves copying files and folders from your old user profile directory to the new one.

Conclusion

Stopping Microsoft Edge from launching on startup can significantly improve your computer’s performance and provide a more controlled user experience. By systematically working through the methods outlined in this guide, you should be able to identify the cause of the problem and implement the appropriate solution. From disabling startup programs to adjusting browser settings and checking for malware, these steps offer a comprehensive approach to resolving this common issue. Remember to restart your computer after each change to ensure that the changes take effect. By taking control of your startup programs, you can optimize your system’s boot time and enjoy a smoother computing experience.

Why does Microsoft Edge keep opening on startup even though I didn’t set it to?

Microsoft Edge might be opening on startup due to settings within Windows itself or within the Edge browser. One common cause is that it’s enabled in the “Startup apps” section of your Windows settings. Alternatively, it might be set to restore the previous session, meaning it reopens whatever tabs were open when you last closed it, even if you didn’t manually reopen it. Another potential reason is that another application could be configured to launch Edge, particularly if it’s the default browser for certain file types or links.

To resolve this, you’ll need to investigate the possible causes systematically. First, check the Windows startup settings and disable Edge if it’s listed. Next, review Edge’s settings to ensure it’s not set to restore the previous session. Finally, examine any third-party applications that might be configured to launch Edge automatically, such as email clients or task managers. If the issue persists, a deeper dive into system configurations might be necessary.

How do I disable Microsoft Edge from opening on startup through Windows settings?

Disabling Edge from launching on startup via Windows settings is a straightforward process. First, open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc. In the Task Manager window, navigate to the “Startup apps” tab. This tab displays all the applications configured to launch when Windows starts.

Locate “Microsoft Edge” in the list of startup apps. If it’s enabled, it will say “Enabled” in the Status column. Select Microsoft Edge and click the “Disable” button in the bottom-right corner of the Task Manager window. This will prevent Edge from automatically launching when you start your computer.

How do I prevent Microsoft Edge from restoring the previous session on startup?

Edge’s session restore feature can unintentionally cause it to open on startup if it was open when you last shut down your computer. To disable this feature, open Microsoft Edge. Click on the three horizontal dots (ellipsis) in the top-right corner of the browser window to open the menu. Navigate to “Settings” and then select “Start, home, and new tabs” in the left-hand navigation menu.

In the “On startup” section, change the setting from “Continue where you left off” to either “Open the new tab page” or “Open these specific pages.” Selecting “Open the new tab page” will ensure that Edge always opens to a blank new tab. If you prefer specific pages to open, you can enter their URLs in the provided field.

Can other programs cause Microsoft Edge to open on startup?

Yes, certain applications can be configured to launch Microsoft Edge on startup, even if it’s not directly set to do so in Windows startup settings or Edge’s own configuration. Some applications, particularly email clients or RSS readers, might be configured to use Edge as their default browser for opening links or displaying web content. Additionally, some utilities designed to manage browser extensions or update software could inadvertently trigger Edge to open.

To identify if another program is responsible, systematically close each running application after startup (using Task Manager if necessary) to see if the issue is resolved. Review the settings of any recently installed programs or those that interact with web content. Look for options related to opening links in a specific browser or managing web-based content, and adjust them accordingly to prevent unwanted Edge launches.

What if I can’t find Microsoft Edge listed in the Startup apps section of Task Manager?

If you cannot find Microsoft Edge listed in the Startup apps section of Task Manager, it might be due to a number of reasons. It’s possible that Edge is not directly configured to launch on startup via that method. Alternatively, the entry could be hidden or mislabeled within the list. There’s also a chance that a different process or service is triggering Edge to open indirectly.

In this case, explore alternative methods for managing Edge’s startup behavior. Focus on checking Edge’s own settings to ensure it’s not set to restore the previous session. Also, consider scanning your system for malware, as some malicious software can force applications to open against the user’s preferences. Lastly, you could also review scheduled tasks in the Task Scheduler, as some tasks might be configured to launch Edge at specific times, including startup.

How do I check for malware that might be causing Edge to open on startup?

Malware can sometimes manipulate system settings and force programs, including Microsoft Edge, to open on startup without your consent. A comprehensive scan with a reputable antivirus program is the best way to check for and remove malware. Ensure your antivirus software is up to date with the latest virus definitions before running the scan.

Consider using a second opinion scanner as well, as it might detect threats that your primary antivirus software misses. Popular options include Malwarebytes and HitmanPro. These scanners can often identify and remove persistent malware that interferes with system settings and browser behavior. Remember to run full system scans and follow the recommended removal procedures.

What if none of these solutions work to stop Edge from opening on startup?

If you’ve exhausted the common troubleshooting steps and Microsoft Edge is still opening on startup, more advanced issues may be at play. A deeper dive into system configurations and potential conflicts could be necessary. Consider performing a clean boot to isolate any third-party software conflicts that might be triggering the issue. A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs.

If the problem disappears during a clean boot, you can then systematically enable startup items and services one by one to identify the culprit. As a last resort, consider resetting Microsoft Edge to its default settings, or even performing a system restore to an earlier point in time when the issue didn’t exist. If all else fails, consulting with a technical support professional might be necessary.