Microsoft Edge is built into Windows, so it does not uninstall like a normal app. When Edge will not open, is missing, or behaves badly, the best path is usually repair first, then reinstall with the official installer if repair does not solve it.
Does this affect you?
Use this for Windows 10 or Windows 11 when Edge is broken, will not open, or needs a fresh installation. Because Windows treats Edge as a system component, this is more of a repair and replace process than a normal uninstall.
Repair Edge first
The built-in repair fixes most Edge installation problems without removing your data.
- Open Settings > Apps.
- Open Installed apps on Windows 11, or Apps and features on Windows 10.
- Search for Microsoft Edge.
- Open its three-dot menu or select it, then choose Modify.
- Click Repair.
- Wait for the repair to finish and try Edge again.
Fully reinstall Edge with the offline installer
Use this when repair fails or Edge is missing.
- On another device, or with another browser, go to microsoft.com/edge.
- Download the Microsoft Edge offline installer for Windows.
- Move it to the affected PC if needed.
- Run the installer.
- Let it replace or repair the existing Edge installation.
- Restart the PC.
- Open Edge and check Settings > About Microsoft Edge.
More control
Reset settings before reinstalling for browser glitches
If Edge opens but pages, extensions, or startup settings are strange, try Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults before reinstalling. It is faster and often enough.
Sync can restore browser data
If you use a Microsoft account with sync enabled, favorites, passwords, history, and other data can return after repair or reinstall once you sign back in.
Use PowerShell or winget if Settings will not open
On Windows 11 systems with winget available, an administrator PowerShell window can run winget repair Microsoft.Edge to trigger repair when the Settings app path is unavailable.
Sources
- Microsoft Support – Repair or remove programs in Windows (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Download the new Microsoft Edge based on Chromium (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Fix problems in Microsoft Edge (2025)