Is Microsoft Edge opening automatically on startup? Learn easy steps to stop Microsoft Edge from opening on startup and turn off auto-launch quickly in 2025.
If you’ve ever been frustrated by Microsoft Edge automatically launching every time you start your computer, you’re definitely not alone. While Edge is a fast and modern browser, having it open on startup can slow down your PC, eat up memory, and drain your battery — especially on laptops.
The good news? You can stop Microsoft Edge from opening on startup with some straightforward fixes that anyone can follow. Whether you’re running Windows 10, Windows 11, or even the latest Windows 12 builds, this guide covers everything you need to know.
Before you get started, it’s always a good idea to make sure your Windows system is up to date and your Microsoft Edge browser is running the latest version. You can check Windows updates via Settings > Windows Update and update Edge directly from the browser’s Settings > About Microsoft Edge page.
Let’s dive in and help you take back control of your startup process in 2025.
Why Does Microsoft Edge Keep Opening on Its Own? Understand Why Edge Opens Automatically on Startup
Before we jump into solutions, let’s quickly understand why Edge behaves this way:
- Startup Boost: Microsoft introduced this feature to make Edge launch faster by preloading certain processes when your PC boots up. While it helps with speed, it means Edge is running quietly in the background from the get-go, even if you don’t open the browser. This can feel intrusive if you want a clean startup.
- Windows Restartable Apps Setting: Windows 11 and newer versions have an option to automatically reopen apps that were running before shutdown. If Edge was open or running in the background, it’ll pop back up next time you log in unless you disable this feature.
- Scheduled Tasks: Edge’s update mechanism or other maintenance tasks can be set to run automatically in the background, sometimes triggering Edge to open on startup.
- Background Running Apps: Even if you close Edge, some of its processes keep running in the background for quick relaunch or notifications. This behavior can cause it to appear as if Edge is launching itself.
If you want to learn more about Windows startup apps and how they impact your PC’s performance, Microsoft’s official support page on managing startup apps is a helpful resource: Manage startup apps in Windows.
Is it safe to disable Microsoft Edge on startup? Yes. Turning off auto-start won’t affect your browsing experience, but it will save system resources and make your PC boot faster.
How to Disable Microsoft Edge from Startup Using Task Manager: Stop Edge from Auto Starting Quickly
The fastest way to stop Edge from auto-launching is through the Task Manager:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Switch to the Startup tab.
- Scroll down and locate Microsoft Edge or entries like EdgeUpdate.
- Right-click and choose Disable.
Disabling Edge here ensures Windows won’t automatically launch it every time you power on your PC. It’s a simple fix that can make a big difference.
Pro tip: While you’re here, check for other programs that you don’t need at startup and disable them too — it’ll speed up your boot time even more.
If you want a detailed walkthrough with screenshots, Windows Central has a great guide on disabling startup programs: How to Disable Startup Apps on Windows.
How to Stop Microsoft Edge from Opening Automatically by Disabling Windows “Automatically Save Restartable Apps” Feature
Windows has a handy but sometimes annoying feature that reopens apps after a reboot. To stop Edge from sneaking back in via this method:
- Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
- Find the option called Automatically save my restartable apps and restart them when I sign in.
- Toggle it Off.
This prevents Windows from automatically reopening apps like Edge that were running before shutdown, giving you a fresh start every time.
If you want to dive deeper into managing Windows startup behavior, Microsoft’s official documentation on sign-in options is worth a look: Sign-in options in Windows.
Disable Microsoft Edge Startup Boost and Background Apps to Prevent Edge Running in Background
Edge’s Startup Boost and background app features can keep the browser running even when closed. Here’s how to disable them:
- Open Microsoft Edge (version 120 or later).
- Click the three-dot menu (⋯) in the top right and select Settings.
- Navigate to System and performance.
- Turn off Startup Boost — this stops Edge from preloading at startup.
- Also disable Continue running background apps when Microsoft Edge is closed.
This reduces background activity, saves battery, and frees up system resources.
For more tips on optimizing Microsoft Edge performance, check out Microsoft’s official Edge support: Improve Microsoft Edge performance.
How to Disable Microsoft Edge Scheduled Tasks Using Windows Task Scheduler to Prevent Auto Launch
Sometimes, Microsoft Edge schedules tasks to update itself or run maintenance, which can cause it to open automatically:
- Press Win + R, type
taskschd.msc, and hit Enter to launch Task Scheduler. - Browse the Task Scheduler Library and look for tasks named MicrosoftEdgeUpdate, EdgeUpdate, or similar.
- Right-click these tasks and select Disable.
Disabling these scheduled tasks ensures Edge won’t get triggered unexpectedly.
If you want to learn more about Task Scheduler and managing scheduled tasks, Microsoft Docs offers an excellent beginner’s guide: Task Scheduler overview.
Advanced Guide: Disable Microsoft Edge Auto Launch with Registry Editor or Group Policy Editor in Windows 10/11/12
If you want to take full control, and you’re comfortable with advanced settings, here’s how to use Registry Editor or Group Policy Editor:
Registry Editor Method:
- Press Win + R, type
regedit, and open Registry Editor. - Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge
(Create this key if it doesn’t exist). - Create or set the DWORD values:
StartupBoostEnabled= 0AllowPrelaunch= 0
This disables Edge’s startup boost and prelaunch features at the system level.
Group Policy Editor Method (Windows Pro/Enterprise):
- Open gpedit.msc.
- Navigate to:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Microsoft Edge > Performance. - Disable the policy Allow Microsoft Edge to pre-launch at Windows startup.
This is a clean, professional way to manage Edge startup behavior on business or advanced home PCs.
For a detailed guide on using Group Policy Editor, check out this Microsoft Learn page: Group Policy Management.
Additional Tips to Stop Microsoft Edge from Opening Automatically on Startup in Windows
- Remove any Microsoft Edge shortcuts from the Windows Startup folder (
shell:startup). Sometimes Edge or related apps place shortcuts here to launch on login. - Disable Windows features that trigger Edge like Windows Spotlight, News Feed, or taskbar widgets that open Edge automatically.
- Consider setting Chrome or another browser as your default in 2025. This can prevent Edge from launching when you open links or files.
- Want to uninstall Edge completely? It’s not recommended as Edge is tightly integrated with Windows. Instead, rely on the above methods to stop it from running when you don’t want it to.
Microsoft Edge Startup FAQs: How to Fix Edge Keeps Opening on Startup Problems
Q: How do I stop Microsoft Edge from running in the background?
A: Disable Continue running background apps when Microsoft Edge is closed in Edge’s System and performance settings.
Q: How do I disable Microsoft Edge from startup in Windows 11?
A: Use Task Manager’s Startup tab or disable Startup Boost and background apps inside Edge.
Q: Why does Microsoft Edge keep opening by itself?
A: It’s usually due to Startup Boost, Windows’ restart apps feature, or scheduled Edge tasks running in the background.
Q: How to stop Microsoft Edge from opening when I turn on my computer?
A: Disable Edge in startup apps, turn off restartable apps in Windows, and switch off Startup Boost in Edge settings.
Q: Is it safe to disable Microsoft Edge on startup?
A: Yes, it won’t affect your browsing but will help your PC start faster and use fewer resources.
Final Thoughts: Stop Microsoft Edge from Opening on Startup and Speed Up Your Windows PC in 2025
Microsoft Edge opening on startup can be annoying, but it’s an easy fix. From disabling it in Task Manager to adjusting Windows settings and even tweaking advanced options in Registry or Group Policy Editor — this guide has you covered.
Try these steps and enjoy faster boot times, less background noise, and a cleaner, more responsive PC experience.
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