Microsoft Edge starting itself.

This is what works for me.

Copy and paste edge://settings/system/manageSystem#StartupBoost&1 into the address bar then press enter.

Ensure both Startup boost and Continue running background extensions and apps when Edge is closed are toggled off.

Close Edge.

Type powershell into search then right click Windows Powershell and Run as administrator.

Copy and paste in the following command then press enter:

reg add HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge /v StandaloneHubsSidebarEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f;Stop-Process -Name "msedge" -Force

All going well, Microsoft Edge should not be running at startup or continue running when you close it.

Hi. I didn't find the startup or continue options on that page. did we leave out a step?

Hello Vic Kirkwood,

Since disabling Edge in Startup apps didn’t work and there’s no startup shortcut, this usually means Edge is being launched by its own background/preload features, not Windows startup itself.

Please try this:

1. Open Microsoft Edge
2. In the address bar, go to: edge://settings/system
3. Turn OFF:
   • Startup boost
   • Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed

These two features allow Edge to start itself in the background when you sign in or return from idle, even if it’s not listed in Startup apps.

Restart your PC after changing these.

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Hi, I had an issue like this before.

You cannot totally remove Edge from Windows 11 because it's a built-in feature, so we'll try some fixes.

• You may try to disable Edge in the Starup apps that run when Windows starts:
  • Right-Click Taskbar, Open Task Manager
  • On the left side, click Startup apps.
  • in the Right side, choose "msedge.exe" and click "Disable" above
  • Restart your computer

If it opens to a specific website, this may be activated by a shortcut file. in this case, go to Startup apps in the previous method and look for a line that refers to that shortcut and disable it.

• If it's still happening, you may reset Edge's settings.
  • Open Microsoft Edge.
  • Go to this link edge://settings/reset.
  • Click Restore settings to their default values, then Click Reset to confirm. This will not affect your Favorites, history and saved passwords.

I hope any of this will solve your issue.