Microsoft Edge runs in the background to launch faster and provide notifications. Because of this, it consumes power and resources even when suspended in Windows 11/10. But if you want, you can prevent Microsoft Edge from running in the background in Windows 11/10.
Block Edge from running in the background
Edge will appear in the system tray when it runs in the background. While you can close Edge from here, it is best to ensure it is not running in the background. If you don’t want that and want to save your system resources, use one of the following methods to block Edge from running in the background.
- Disable via System Tray icon
- Turn off via Settings
- Disable it using the Registry
- Configure the Group Policy setting.
Turning off is an option. It depends on how you use the browser. Do not turn it off if you want to keep getting notifications from websites while it is not open.
1] Disable via System Tray icon
When Edge is running in the background, you will see its icon in the Taskbar Notification Area.
- Right-click on the Edge Taskbar icon
- Uncheck Let Microsoft Edge run in the background option.
- Restart Microsoft Edge.
2] Turn off via Settings
You can go to MS Edge’s settings and then stop it from running in the background.
- Type edge://settings/system in the address bar, and press the Enter key
- Toggle off the Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed setting.
I have sometimes noticed that even after disabling the option, Edge keeps running in the background and vice versa.
If that is the case with you, follow either the Registry method or the Group Public method. Windows Home users can only use the Registry method.
3] Change Registry setting to disable Edge from running in the background
Open Registry Editor and navigate to-
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\
If you are not able to find, then create a new key or folder under Microsoft and name it MicrosoftEdge.
Under the MicrosoftEdge key, create another key Main. Verify if the path now looks exactly like as below-
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\MicrosoftEdge\Main
If yes, then in the Main folder, create a new 32-bit DWORD with the name AllowPrelaunch.
Double-click to open it, and set the value as 0 (Zero).
Click OK.
This will stop Edge from running in the background.
4] Use Group Policy to change pre-launching settings for Edge
- Open Group Policy Editor by typing gpedit.msc in the Run prompt followed by pressing the Enter key
- Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Edge
- Find the policy that says, “Allows Microsoft Edge to pre-launch at Windows Startup….and each time Edge is closed.”
- Double-click to edit it, and then choose the Disabled radio button
- You can also choose from the dropdown “Prevent Pre-launching.”
- Click on the OK button to complete
If you prevent pre-launch, Microsoft Edge won’t pre-launch during Windows sign in, when the system is idle, or each time Microsoft Edge is closed.
You may follow any method, but always check which worked for you. I hope one of them works for you, and you can disable the new Microsoft Edge Chromium from running in the background.
How do I stop Windows 11 from defaulting to Edge?
Microsoft Edge is the default browser of Windows 11, but, you can change it from Windows Settings. Just open Settings, go to Apps > Default apps, search for Chrome, click on it, and click on Set default from the Make Google Chrome your default browser section.
