How do I get rid of the Microsoft Edge browser?

November 4, 2018 11:18 AM

I bought a new computer with Windows 10, which unfortunately comes with the horrible Microsoft Edge browser. I think I've tried everything to uninstall or disable the browser but nothing works. Did anyone have the same problem? Did you manage to get rid of the browser somehow? I would like to install Chrome but Windows won't let me - everytime I try to install a different browser, it says I already have Microsoft Edge, "the safer, faster browser for Windows 10", and there's no "Install anyway" option. Help?
posted by U.N.Owen to Computers & Internet (16 answers total)

That's weird, I have Chrome on all of my Windows 10 machines. Two things you can try are downloading the standalone chrome set up file, instead of installing it via the web or turning off your firewall for a minute while you download and install. I think the firewall is only an issue if you're running McAfee.
posted by fshgrl at 11:22 AM on November 4, 2018

Where are you trying to install it from? Go direct to https://www.google.com/chrome/ and try again.
posted by Lanark at 11:30 AM on November 4, 2018

I've installed chrome on my windows 10 Machine (surface book 2)
I definately got the edge is the best message, but I was able to surpass it. (It annoyed me enough that I remember it).

I wasn't able to unistall edge easily so I left it there.

I don't have my machine up to reproduce the message to tell you how to get around it though. But, it is possible.
posted by AlexiaSky at 11:34 AM on November 4, 2018

There might be a "details" or "more information" or something button/tab/hidden text thing that you can click when it gives you the "edge is best" message. Look for this.. when you click it you should see the option to install this software against medical advice.
posted by some loser at 11:40 AM on November 4, 2018

Verge article on popup their screenshot has a grey button that says install anyway. Do you see that?
(There are no instructions in the article about getting around it)
posted by AlexiaSky at 11:41 AM on November 4, 2018

If you can't get it to work (and I'm shocked this is a thing, given Microsoft was once almost broken up over stuff like this) you could try the portable version of Chrome.

However, if you're not seeing the same options others are seeing it might be worth investigating why.
posted by trig at 11:44 AM on November 4, 2018 [1 favorite]

(I linked to an old version - this is a better link.)
posted by trig at 11:51 AM on November 4, 2018

You have to click on an hyperlink-looking thing in the blue "warning" pop-up that says "more" or "details" or something, near the top of the pop-up. Then you can "Install anyways".

Source: I have to install software daily at work that triggers this exact pop-up that has nothing to do with browsers. It's not preventing you from installing Chrome specifically; it does this for basically all software not from the Microsoft Store.
posted by flibbertigibbet at 11:51 AM on November 4, 2018 [1 favorite]

Is it running Windows 10, or Windows 10 in S Mode? The latter mode won't let you install anything that isn't in the Windows store, and Chrome isn't in the Windows store. Instructions for disabling S Mode are here.
posted by parm at 12:27 PM on November 4, 2018 [4 favorites]

Seconding seeing if you're running one of the stripped down versions that's not designed to allow other browsers.
posted by Candleman at 2:15 PM on November 4, 2018

Ninite.com will build an autoinstaller for you that includes any of a number of popular free products, including the main browsers, and that automatically installs them with a single click.
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 3:21 PM on November 4, 2018 [2 favorites]

I had this happen with my mom's rebuilt computer. Windows 10 had a copy of Windows Explorer but you had to look for it. I think I used the search bar. Once I had it open, I could download Firefox and get it to install. Hopefully, Chrome would work the same.
posted by stray thoughts at 3:39 PM on November 4, 2018

parm: "Is it running Windows 10, or Windows 10 in S Mode? The latter mode won't let you install anything that isn't in the Windows store, and Chrome isn't in the Windows store. Instructions for disabling S Mode are here."

Note that the Portable app version (assuming you can write to the disk) will still work even if it is locked down because it doesn't actually install anything.
posted by Mitheral at 3:55 PM on November 4, 2018

Note that the Portable app version (assuming you can write to the disk) will still work even if it is locked down because it doesn't actually install anything.

I'm not sure this is true - I'm pretty sure S Mode prevents executables from launching that aren't from the app store, so even a portable version would be blocked.
posted by parm at 2:02 AM on November 5, 2018

With some research it appears that is the case. Sorry Windows S users, no portable apps for you.
posted by Mitheral at 10:18 AM on November 5, 2018

Memail me your e-mail address tomorrow. I have a program that uninstalls Edge in less than a minute.
posted by a non mouse, a cow herd at 2:47 PM on November 5, 2018