How to Stop Microsoft Edge from Running in the Background

Even if you prefer using Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox as your primary browser, you might notice Microsoft Edge quietly running in the background of your Windows 11 PC. By default, Edge keeps several background processes active to ensure it launches instantly if called upon and to maintain features like background extension syncing.

If you rarely use Microsoft Edge, these background processes are simply consuming valuable RAM and battery life. In this guide, we will show you how to completely stop Microsoft Edge from running in the background.

Step 1: Disable Background Extensions Inside Edge

The primary reason Edge runs silently is due to an internal setting that allows Edge apps and extensions to continue working even after you close the browser window. The first step is to turn this feature off.

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Click the three horizontal dots (Settings and more) in the top-right corner of the window.
3. Scroll down and select Settings.
4. In the left-hand sidebar menu, click on System and performance.
5. Look under the “System” header at the top of the page. Find the toggle switch labelled Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed.
6. Turn this switch Off.

Step 2: Disable Startup Boost

On that exact same Settings page, you will see another feature that keeps Edge active.

1. Directly above the setting you just changed, locate Startup boost.
2. Startup boost keeps a set of core Edge processes running in the background from the moment you turn on your PC. Toggle this switch Off.

You can now safely close the Microsoft Edge browser window.

Step 3: Prevent Edge from Launching at Startup

To ensure Edge doesn’t attempt to re-launch its background services the next time you turn on your computer, you should verify that it isn’t listed as a Windows 11 Startup App.

1. Open the Windows 11 Start Menu and click on the Settings gear icon (or press Windows Key + I).
2. In the left sidebar, click on Apps.
3. In the right-hand pane, click on Startup.
4. Scroll down the list of installed applications until you find Microsoft Edge.
5. If the switch next to it is turned On, toggle it Off.

Verifying the Changes in Task Manager

To confirm that Edge is no longer consuming your system resources:

1. Right-click on the Windows Start button on your taskbar and select Task Manager (or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
2. Ensure you are on the Processes tab (the icon with four squares on the left sidebar).
3. Look under the “Background processes” section. You should no longer see dozens of “Microsoft Edge” instances eating up your memory.

Microsoft Edge will now remain completely dormant until you actively choose to click its icon and open it yourself.