How to Stop Microsoft Edge From Running in the Background

Microsoft Edge, the successor to Internet Explorer, has become a staple browser for Windows users. While it boasts improved speed, security, and integration with the Windows operating system, one common complaint is its tendency to run in the background, even when you’re not actively using it. This background activity can consume system resources, impacting your computer’s performance, draining battery life on laptops, and potentially raising privacy concerns for some users. Fortunately, there are several methods to effectively prevent Edge from running in the background. This comprehensive guide will walk you through each technique, offering step-by-step instructions and troubleshooting tips.

Table of Contents

Understanding Why Edge Runs in the Background

Before diving into solutions, it’s crucial to understand why Microsoft Edge persists in running in the background. The primary reason stems from features designed to enhance user experience and optimize performance.

Startup Boost: Edge includes a feature called “Startup Boost” which keeps a minimal Edge process running in the background. This allows Edge to launch much faster when you click its icon, as essential components are already pre-loaded in memory. While convenient, this comes at the cost of continuous resource consumption.

Continue Running Background Extensions and Apps When Microsoft Edge Is Closed: A setting controls whether Edge continues to run extensions and background apps after the browser window is closed. This allows extensions like password managers, notification services, and cloud syncing tools to operate uninterrupted, even when you aren’t actively browsing.

Preloading for Faster Browsing: Edge may preload websites or predict your browsing habits to cache data in the background. This anticipates your next move, aiming for a smoother and quicker browsing experience. However, this preloading requires ongoing background activity.

Push Notifications: If you’ve granted websites permission to send push notifications, Edge needs to remain active in the background to receive and display these alerts in real-time.

Syncing Features: Edge’s syncing capabilities, which keep your browsing data (history, bookmarks, passwords, etc.) consistent across devices, also require background processes to maintain synchronization.

These features, while beneficial in many ways, contribute to Edge’s background activity. By understanding their purpose, you can make informed decisions about which features to disable or modify to optimize your system’s performance.

Disabling Startup Boost in Microsoft Edge

Startup Boost is often the primary culprit behind Edge’s persistent background activity. Disabling it can significantly reduce resource consumption.

Open Microsoft Edge: Launch the Edge browser on your computer.
Access Settings: Click on the three dots (ellipsis) located in the top-right corner of the Edge window. This will open the main menu. Select “Settings” from the menu.
Navigate to System and Performance: In the Settings menu, locate and click on “System and performance” in the left-hand sidebar.
Disable Startup Boost: In the “System and performance” section, find the “Startup boost” toggle. It’s usually enabled by default. Click the toggle switch to turn it off. The switch should turn gray, indicating that Startup Boost is disabled.
Restart Edge (Optional): While not always necessary, restarting Edge after disabling Startup Boost can ensure the changes take effect immediately. Close all Edge windows and reopen the browser.

Disabling Startup Boost prevents Edge from pre-loading essential components, resulting in a slightly slower initial launch time. However, it significantly reduces background activity and frees up system resources when you’re not actively using the browser.

Controlling Background App Execution

Another key setting that determines whether Edge runs in the background is related to extensions and background apps. By default, Edge might be configured to allow extensions to continue running even after the browser window is closed.

Open Microsoft Edge: Launch the Edge browser.
Access Settings: Click the three dots (ellipsis) in the top-right corner and select “Settings.”
Navigate to System and Performance: In the Settings menu, click on “System and performance” in the left-hand sidebar.
Disable “Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed”: Locate the option labeled “Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed.” If the toggle is enabled (blue), click it to disable it. The toggle should turn gray.
Restart Edge (Recommended): Close all Edge windows and reopen the browser to ensure the changes take effect.

Disabling this setting prevents extensions from running in the background once you close the Edge browser window. This can significantly reduce background resource usage, especially if you have many extensions installed. Keep in mind that some extensions might not function correctly if this setting is disabled, as they rely on background processes to operate.

Managing Background Permissions for Websites

Websites you’ve granted permission to send notifications can also contribute to Edge’s background activity. Even when you’re not actively using the browser, Edge might be listening for updates and displaying notifications.

Open Microsoft Edge: Launch the Edge browser.
Access Settings: Click the three dots (ellipsis) in the top-right corner and select “Settings.”
Navigate to Cookies and Site Permissions: In the Settings menu, click on “Cookies and site permissions” in the left-hand sidebar.
Manage Notifications: Scroll down the list and find “Notifications.” Click on it.
Review and Manage Permissions: You’ll see a list of websites that have requested permission to send notifications. You can choose to:
- Remove Specific Permissions: Hover over a website in the “Allowed to send notifications” list and click the three dots (ellipsis) next to it. Select “Remove” to revoke its permission to send notifications.
- Block All Notifications: Toggle the “Ask before sending” option to the “Off” position. This will prevent all websites from requesting permission to send notifications. However, it won’t affect websites that already have permission.

By managing notification permissions, you can prevent unwanted notifications and reduce Edge’s background activity. Consider only allowing notifications from websites you trust and regularly interact with.

Checking and Removing Unnecessary Extensions

Browser extensions can significantly enhance functionality, but they can also contribute to resource consumption, especially if they’re poorly optimized or actively running in the background. Regularly reviewing and removing unnecessary extensions can improve Edge’s performance and reduce background activity.

Open Microsoft Edge: Launch the Edge browser.
Access Extensions: Type edge://extensions in the address bar and press Enter. This will open the Extensions page. Alternatively, you can access Extensions through the main menu (three dots > Extensions > Manage extensions).
Review Installed Extensions: Examine the list of installed extensions. For each extension, consider whether you still need it and how often you use it.
Remove Unnecessary Extensions: To remove an extension, click the “Remove” button located on its card. A confirmation prompt will appear; click “Remove” again to confirm.
Disable Extensions Temporarily: If you’re unsure whether you need an extension, you can temporarily disable it by toggling the switch on its card to the “Off” position. This allows you to test whether disabling the extension improves performance without permanently removing it.

Regularly auditing your extensions and removing those you no longer need can significantly reduce Edge’s resource footprint and background activity.

Adjusting Background App Refresh Settings (Windows 10/11)

Windows itself has a setting that controls background app refresh, which can affect Microsoft Edge. Disabling background app refresh for Edge specifically (or for all apps) can help reduce its background activity.

Open Windows Settings: Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
Navigate to Privacy: In the Settings app, click on “Privacy.”
Select Background Apps: In the left-hand sidebar, scroll down and select “Background apps.”
Manage Background App Refresh: You have several options:
- Disable Background App Refresh for All Apps: At the top of the page, you’ll find a toggle that says “Let apps run in the background.” Turning this toggle to the “Off” position will prevent all apps from running in the background, including Edge. Be aware that this may affect the functionality of other apps that rely on background processes.
- Disable Background App Refresh for Edge Only: Scroll down the list of apps and find “Microsoft Edge.” If the toggle next to it is enabled (blue), click it to disable it. This will prevent Edge from refreshing data in the background when you’re not actively using it.

Disabling background app refresh can effectively reduce Edge’s background activity, but it may also impact the functionality of certain features, such as live tile updates and push notifications.

Using Task Manager to End Edge Processes

If you find that Edge processes are still running in the background even after implementing the above solutions, you can use Task Manager to manually end them.

Open Task Manager: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Alternatively, you can right-click on the Taskbar and select “Task Manager.”
Locate Edge Processes: In Task Manager, go to the “Processes” tab. Look for any processes labeled “Microsoft Edge” or “msedge.exe.”
End Processes: Select each Edge process and click the “End task” button in the bottom-right corner of the Task Manager window. Repeat this process for all Edge-related processes.

Using Task Manager to end Edge processes should only be considered a temporary solution. If Edge processes continue to run in the background after you’ve closed the browser, it indicates a persistent issue that needs to be addressed using the methods described above. Repeatedly using Task Manager to end processes can be inconvenient and may not prevent Edge from restarting background processes.

Checking for Malware and Adware

In some cases, persistent background activity from Microsoft Edge could be caused by malware or adware. Malicious software can hijack browser processes and run them in the background without your knowledge or consent.

Run a Malware Scan: Use a reputable antivirus or anti-malware program to scan your computer for malware and adware. Ensure your antivirus software is up-to-date with the latest definitions before running the scan.
Remove Detected Threats: If the scan detects any threats, follow the program’s instructions to remove or quarantine them.
Consider a Second Opinion: If you’re still concerned about malware, consider running a second scan with a different antivirus program to ensure a thorough check.

Regularly scanning your computer for malware and adware is essential for maintaining system security and preventing unwanted background activity from any program, including Microsoft Edge.

Keeping Microsoft Edge Updated

An outdated version of Microsoft Edge can sometimes exhibit unexpected behavior, including persistent background activity. Keeping Edge updated to the latest version can resolve bugs, improve performance, and enhance security.

Open Microsoft Edge: Launch the Edge browser.
Access Settings: Click the three dots (ellipsis) in the top-right corner and select “Settings.”
Navigate to About Microsoft Edge: In the Settings menu, click on “About Microsoft Edge” in the left-hand sidebar.
Check for Updates: Edge will automatically check for updates. If an update is available, it will download and install it in the background.
Restart Edge: After the update is installed, you may be prompted to restart Edge. Close all Edge windows and reopen the browser to complete the update process.

Keeping Edge updated ensures you have the latest bug fixes, performance improvements, and security patches, which can help reduce background activity and improve overall browser stability.

Using Microsoft Edge’s Efficiency Mode

Microsoft Edge has an efficiency mode that can help reduce resource usage, including background activity. Efficiency mode is designed to conserve battery life and reduce CPU usage when you’re not actively using the browser.

Open Microsoft Edge: Launch the Edge browser.
Access Settings: Click the three dots (ellipsis) in the top-right corner and select “Settings.”
Navigate to System and Performance: In the Settings menu, click on “System and performance” in the left-hand sidebar.
Enable Efficiency Mode: In the “System and performance” section, find the “Efficiency mode” setting. You can choose to enable it always, only when the device is on battery, or never.

Enabling efficiency mode can help reduce Edge’s background activity by limiting resource usage when you’re not actively browsing.

Troubleshooting Persistent Issues

If you’ve tried all of the above solutions and Edge is still running in the background, there might be a more complex issue at play. Consider the following troubleshooting steps:

Create a New User Profile: A corrupted user profile can sometimes cause unexpected behavior. Create a new user profile in Windows and test whether Edge still runs in the background in the new profile.
Reinstall Microsoft Edge: If the problem persists, consider reinstalling Microsoft Edge. This can resolve issues caused by corrupted installation files. You can download the latest version of Edge from the official Microsoft website.
Check System Logs: Examine the Windows system logs for any errors or warnings related to Microsoft Edge. These logs can provide clues about the cause of the persistent background activity.
Contact Microsoft Support: If you’re unable to resolve the issue on your own, contact Microsoft Support for assistance.

By systematically troubleshooting the issue, you can identify the root cause and find a solution to prevent Microsoft Edge from running in the background.

Why does Microsoft Edge keep running in the background even after I close it?

Microsoft Edge, by default, is configured to continue running processes in the background even after you close all browser windows. This is intended to improve startup speed when you launch Edge again and allows certain extensions or features to continue functioning. This ‘background mode’ consumes system resources like CPU and memory, which can impact battery life on laptops and overall system performance, especially on older or less powerful computers.

The goal is to provide a smoother and faster browsing experience. However, some users find the trade-off between performance and background resource usage unacceptable. This background activity can also raise privacy concerns for some individuals, leading them to seek ways to disable this behavior and completely shut down Edge processes when not actively in use.

How can I disable background apps in Microsoft Edge settings?

The most straightforward method to stop Microsoft Edge from running in the background is to adjust its built-in settings. Open Microsoft Edge, click on the three dots (ellipsis) in the top right corner to access the menu, and then navigate to “Settings.” From the settings menu, select “System and Performance” (or a similarly named option depending on your Edge version).

Within the “System and Performance” section, you will find an option labeled something like “Continue running background apps when Microsoft Edge is closed.” Toggle this switch to the “Off” position. This setting directly controls whether Edge processes remain active after you close the browser window, preventing it from consuming resources in the background.

Will disabling background apps affect Edge’s performance?

Disabling background apps in Microsoft Edge will likely result in a slightly slower startup time when you relaunch the browser. Because the browser isn’t pre-loaded in the background, it needs to load all necessary components and resources when you open it. The extent of this delay will depend on your computer’s hardware and the number of extensions you have installed.

However, the trade-off is reduced resource consumption while Edge is closed. You’ll likely experience improved battery life on laptops and a noticeable improvement in overall system performance, especially if you’re running multiple resource-intensive applications. For many users, the benefit of reduced background resource usage outweighs the minor increase in startup time.

Does disabling background apps prevent all Edge processes from running?

Disabling “Continue running background apps when Microsoft Edge is closed” should stop the majority of Edge processes from running in the background. However, certain processes related to Windows updates or other system-level tasks might still appear in the Task Manager occasionally. These are usually minimal and don’t consume significant resources.

If you observe persistent Edge processes consuming substantial resources even after disabling the setting, it could be due to a conflicting extension or another program interfering with Edge’s behavior. In such cases, consider disabling extensions one by one to identify the culprit or performing a clean reinstall of Edge to address potential software corruption.

How do extensions contribute to Edge running in the background?

Extensions can significantly contribute to Microsoft Edge running in the background. Some extensions are designed to actively monitor web pages, provide notifications, or perform other tasks even when the main browser window is closed. This constant activity requires background processes to remain active, consuming system resources.

Even if you disable the general “Continue running background apps” setting, certain poorly optimized or resource-intensive extensions can override this setting and continue to run background processes. Regularly review your installed extensions and disable or remove any that you don’t actively use or suspect are causing excessive resource consumption.

Can I use the Task Manager to stop Edge processes?

Yes, you can use the Task Manager to manually stop any Microsoft Edge processes that are running in the background. Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and navigate to the “Processes” or “Details” tab. Look for any processes labeled “Microsoft Edge” or “msedge.exe.”

Select the specific Edge process you want to stop and click the “End task” button. However, manually ending tasks through Task Manager is a temporary solution. The processes may restart automatically unless you have disabled the “Continue running background apps” setting within Edge’s settings, as described earlier.

Is there a registry tweak to permanently disable background apps in Edge?

While directly modifying the registry can sometimes offer more granular control over system settings, there isn’t a reliably documented and universally recommended registry tweak specifically designed to permanently disable all background activity in Microsoft Edge. Modifying the registry incorrectly can lead to system instability, so caution is advised.

The most effective and safest approach to manage Edge’s background behavior is through the browser’s built-in settings, as described previously. Disabling the “Continue running background apps” option should adequately prevent the majority of background processes. If you encounter persistent issues, focusing on extension management and system maintenance is generally a more prudent solution than attempting unsupported registry modifications.