Happy holidays! You can now uninstall Microsoft Edge with this free app, even if you’re not in Europe.
You shouldn’t need a third-party app to uninstall a browser, but one is here to help you out.
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What you need to know
Several elements of Windows 11 only work with Microsoft Edge. For example, clicking a news story in the Widgets Board will open in Edge regardless of what your default browser is. Similarly, the Start menu and Search only open in Edge. Microsoft also prevents people from uninstalling or disabling certain apps and experiences on Windows 11, such as Microsoft Edge and Bing in search. But that’s about to change for users in Europe.
To become compliant with the Digital Markets Act in the European Economic Area, Microsoft will allow users touninstall Edge, Bing, and disable certain ads on Windows 11. The company needs to be in full compliance by March 6, 2024, and Microsoft is at work to ensure the rollout happens in time. But what about if you’re not in the EEA? Sadly, Microsoft will not give you the new options to uninstall and disable things. In comes third-party appMSEdgeRedirectto save the day.
MSEdgeRedirect already lets you redirect news, search, widgets, and weather on Windows 11. Now, it also includes a Europe Mode that will let you uninstall Edge. When you switch to Europe Mode in MSEdgeRedirect, the following changes occur:
The MSEdgeRedirect team promises a second Europe Mode that takes a more aggressive approach, but the method that’s currently available simply sets your PC region as “in EU.” You can jump to thechange log belowto see all of the improvements in version 0.7.5.1.
MSEdgeRedirect |Free through GitHub
This tool lets you redirect links from throughout Windows 11 to your default browser instead of Microsoft Edge. It now also lets you uninstall Microsoft Edge.
Cutting Edge
I don’t hate Microsoft Edge. I use it as my daily browser, and not just because I need to keep up to date with its feature set for work. Edge has a lot of useful features, a nice interface, and works with the websites that I use. But I still celebrate victories against Microsoft’s push to force people to use Edge.
When a program called EdgeDeflector first came out in 2021, Microsoft explained why it forces you to use Edge when interacting with certain Windows experiences, such as the widgets board.
“Windows openly enables applications and services on its platform, including various web browsers,” said Microsoft. “At the same time, Windows also offers certain end-to-end customer experiences in both Windows 10 and Windows 11, the search experience from the taskbar is one such example of an end-to-end experience that is not designed to be redirected. When we become aware of improper redirection, we issue a fix.”
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EdgeDeflector no longer works, but other apps have filled the void.
I have a hard time believing Microsoft in this case, however. Surely Microsoft is confident that links from the Windows 11 widgets board, Start menu, and search bar are safe. The company seemed to have an issue with redirecting links since a malicious actor could redirect links to a scam, phishing scheme, or other harmful site.
I have a solution for that concern, let people have any link they click open in their default browser. If Microsoft is confident in the links it presents in Windows 11 and already allows people to use browsers other than Edge, why not allow those endpoints to connect?
It shouldn’t take a law
I can’t believe I have to write this, but it shouldn’t require a law to allow people to disable ads in Windows 11 or uninstall an app. Sadly, that’s exactly what it took to push Microsoft to change. In order to be compliant with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in the European Economic Area (EEA), Microsoft will let people uninstall Microsoft Edge, disable Bing in Windows Search, and turn off the Microsoft News feed and ads in the Widgets Board.
Rather than simply give all those options to everyone, the leadership at Microsoft decided to limit some to people in the EEA. The tech giant announced that anyone will be able to have a clean Widgets Board experience, regardless of region. But up to this point, Microsoft has not said it will let people outside the EEA uninstall Microsoft Edge or disable Bing in Windows Search.
This whole saga proves that Microsoft is fully capable of giving people options when it comes to their browser. It’s not like Edge is so tied into Windows that removing the browser will break your PC. But Microsoft’s leadership chose to only roll out most of the changes in regions where it’s required by law.
MSEdgeRedirect change log
Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
