How to stop Microsoft Edge from starting automatically on Windows 11, Mac, and Linux

Microsoft Edge is a popular web browser, but it can be frustrating when it opens automatically on startup. Whether you’re using a PC, Mac, or Linux, there are several methods to stop Microsoft Edge from starting automatically without your consent. This guide will walk you through the steps for each operating system.

Stop Microsoft Edge from starting automatically on Windows 11

Method 1: Using Windows Settings

1. Open Settings: Click on the Start menu and select Settings.
2. Navigate to Accounts: Go to Accounts > Sign-in options.
3. Disable restartable apps: Under Additional settings, turn off the toggle for Automatically save my restartable app and restart them when I sign in.

Method 2: Using Task Manager

1. Open Task Manager: Right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager.
2. Go to Startup apps: Click on the Startup apps tab.
3. Disable Microsoft Edge: Find “Microsoft Edge” in the list, right-click on it, and select Disable.

Method 3: Using Microsoft Edge settings

1. Open Microsoft Edge: Launch the Edge browser.
2. Access Settings: Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. System and performance: Go to System and performance in the sidebar.
4. Turn off Startup Boost: Turn the Startup boost toggle off.

Method 4: Using Registry Editor

1. Open Registry Editor: Press Windows logo key + R, type regedit, and press Enter
2. Navigate to key: Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\MicrosoftEdge\Main
3. Create New DWORD: Right-click, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it AllowPrelaunch
4. Set value to 0: Double-click on AllowPrelaunch and set the value to 0 and click OK 

Stopping Microsoft Edge from starting automatically on Mac

Method 1: Using System Preferences

1. Open System Preferences: Click on the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
2. Go to Users & Groups: Select Users & Groups.
3. Login Items: Click on your account and go to the Login Items tab.
4. Remove Microsoft Edge: Select “Microsoft Edge” from the list and click the minus (-) button to remove it.

Method 2: Using Dock Options

1. Open Microsoft Edge: Launch Edge to get its icon in the Dock.
2. Right-click on icon: Right-click on the Edge icon in the Dock.
3. Disable Open at Login: Uncheck the Options > Open at Login.

Stopping Microsoft Edge from starting automatically on Linux

Method 1: Using Startup Applications

1. Open Startup Applications: Search for Startup Applications in your application menu.
2. Remove Microsoft Edge: Find Microsoft Edge in the list and remove it.

Method 2: Using Terminal

1. Open Terminal: Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open the terminal.
2. Edit Autostart file: Type nano ~/.config/autostart/microsoft-edge.desktop
3. Disable Autostart: Add X-GNOME-Autostart-enabled=false to the file and save it.

By following these steps, you can stop Microsoft Edge from starting automatically, regardless of your operating system. This will help you streamline your computer’s startup process and avoid unwanted interruptions.

When you want to stop Microsoft Edge from starting automatically can save system resources and improve your computer’s boot time. Whether you’re using Windows 11, Mac, or Linux, the methods outlined above provide comprehensive solutions to manage your startup programs effectively. If you continue to experience issues, consider checking for malware or other software conflicts that might be causing Edge to launch unexpectedly.

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