If you’re not a big fan of Microsoft Edge, you’ve probably tried looking up ways to get rid of it. And sure enough, if you search for how to remove the browser, you’ll come across an official Microsoft page that promises to tell you everything you need to know. Except it doesn’t. The page doesn’t say anything about uninstalling it, which makes it feel like a bit of a sneaky bait-and-switch.
According to Windows Central, however, the page has been taken down after receiving backlash. The tech giant had recently put out a new “uninstall document.” But instead of explaining how to remove Microsoft Edge from your PC, it just compared Edge to Google Chrome with a checklist of features, basically trying to convince you to stick with Edge. So instead of helping people uninstall the browser, it did the opposite of what you’d expect from a guide about removing an app. Now, it just directs users to a generic page about the browser.
So, how *do* we uninstall Edge?https://t.co/1q6FON05le
Shame on you, $MSFT
— Nico (@nameghino) February 7, 2025
Search results on browsers for uninstalling Microsoft Edge
If you search “How to uninstall Microsoft Edge” on Bing, one of the top results is a page from Microsoft itself. The search results read: “Learn how to uninstall Microsoft Edge from your device but be aware of the features and benefits you will lose. Compare Microsoft Edge with other browsers and see why it is the smarter choice.”
On Google, there appeared to be a different result: “Trying to uninstall Microsoft Edge from Windows 10, Windows 11, or other systems? Discover the features and functionalities you’ll miss without it.” At the time of writing, it was no longer available.
No matter what link you clicked, you would end up on the same Microsoft page. Instead of telling you how to uninstall Edge, the page went on about all the benefits of using it. It talked up its AI features and how well it integrates with Windows. But if you were looking for actual instructions on removing Edge, you would not find them anywhere in the article. Still, Microsoft hasn’t provided any actual steps on how to uninstall Edge from Windows 11.
Microsoft faces claims of monopolising search results
Microsoft has been called out for trying to push people toward using Bing instead of Chrome. Their Bing Wallpaper app not only installs Bing Visual Search but also “reminds” you to switch your default browser to Edge.
And just last week, people noticed that if you search for Google’s Web Store through Bing in Edge, you’ll get a prompt encouraging you to stick with Edge instead.
If you’re actually looking to uninstall Microsoft Edge, you can try right-clicking it and selecting “Uninstall.” But there’s a catch as this only works if you’re in the EU. If you’re in the US or elsewhere, you’ll have to use more drastic methods to remove it. In November, ReadWrite reported that Google, Opera, Vivaldi, and several other companies united to form the Browser Choice Alliance, alleging that Microsoft was restricting web browser options on Windows.
ReadWrite has reached out to Microsoft for comment.
Featured image: Canva / Microsoft
