Windows 10 Microsoft Edge Running in Background: Stopping Edge When You Have Closed It

You closed Microsoft Edge hours ago, or never opened it, yet Task Manager lists several msedge.exe processes using memory and some processor time. When Windows 10 Microsoft slot88 Edge running in background keeps resources busy, it is because Edge is designed to stay partly active.

Edge has a setting called “Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed.” It lets extensions, notifications, and installed web apps work without the browser window. Another feature, Startup boost, pre-loads Edge when Windows starts so it opens faster.

Both are turned on by default. On PCs with plenty of memory the effect is small, but on older laptops it can noticeably slow things down.

Turning off both features stops Edge running when you are not using it.

Seeing several msedge.exe entries is normal while Edge is open, because each tab, extension, and helper runs separately. The concern is only when they remain after every Edge window is closed.

What Usually Triggers It

Edge keeps running for these reasons:

• “Continue running background extensions and apps” is enabled.
• Startup boost pre-loads Edge at sign-in.
• Extensions such as password managers stay active.
• Edge widgets, web apps, or the sidebar remain open.

Windows features such as search results and some widgets can also start Edge processes briefly.

First Steps to Try

Change Edge’s settings.

1. Open Edge and go to Settings > System and performance.
2. Turn off “Startup boost.”
3. Turn off “Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed.”
4. Close Edge completely.
5. Restart the PC and check Task Manager.

Most people see the msedge.exe processes disappear after these changes.

Edge sometimes reopens because a website you visited asked to send notifications. Open Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Notifications in Edge and remove sites you do not want to hear from.

If the Problem Continues

Check extensions and start-up entries.

1. In Edge, open Extensions and remove the ones you do not use.
2. Open Task Manager > Startup and disable any Edge entry.
3. In Settings > Apps > Apps & features, check for installed Edge web apps and remove unwanted ones.
4. Check Edge’s Settings > Downloads and close any ongoing transfers before exiting.
5. Use Edge’s own Browser task manager with Shift + Esc to see which tab or extension uses the most resources.

Edge cannot be uninstalled from Windows 10 in a supported way, so changing its settings is the safest approach.

If you never use Edge, choose a different default browser in Settings > Apps > Default apps. Links from emails and documents then open in your preferred browser, so Edge has fewer reasons to start.

Protect Your Data First

Do not force-delete Edge files, since Windows features depend on them. Make sure a password manager extension has synced before removing it.

The Bottom Line

Edge runs in the background because of Startup boost and background extensions. Turn off both in Edge’s settings to free memory when the browser is closed.