How to reset Microsoft Edge?

Reset Microsoft Edge to give it a boost

Reser Microsoft Edge browser

Along with the introduction of Windows 10, Microsoft presented Microsoft Edge browser. It is promoted as a search tool which enhances your browsing and uses less computer energy. Now more and more people are leaning towards it. The browser is still quite new in comparison to other popular search providers, so there is much room for improvement.

If you have been using this browser for a while, you might have experienced occasional problems. Specifically, interrupted internet connection, notifications about web pages having a problem, or inability to launch the browser at all are frequent MS Edge problems. Usually, the reset solves these inconveniences.

In addition, you might perform Microsoft Edge reset once in a while to remove all potentially unwanted elements, such as cookies, scripts, beacons, and other tracking files. In case the browser gets occupied by a browser hijacker and adware, you should perform a full reset to cease all unpleasant redirects and prevent potentially malicious pop-ups.

There are different ways to do it. We present four solutions for a complete Microsoft Edge reset. Depending on the problem, less elaborate and less time-consuming might solve an error in a browser. In case, you encounter a potentially unwanted program, a full reset is recommended. Let us proceed with the procedure.

Method 1. Reset MS Edge by clearing browser data

This standard method removes the website cookies. It might be sufficient solution for clearing adware elements as well.

  1. Launch Microsoft Edge. In the above right-side corner, click on three dot icon – More actions. Afterward, scroll down to navigate to Settings. Method 1. Step 1Click the three dot icon on the top-right corner of your screen and scroll down to "Settings" option
  2. Click Choose what to clear button under the Clear Browsing Data option. Method 1. Step 2When in "Settings" window, click "Choose what to clear" button
  3. In the new window, you will see the data choices. Though the first three data types will be automatically ticked, we recommend marking all six types. Confirm the action by clicking Clear. Method 1. Step 3Check all data types to refresh your Edge entirely. Confirm this by clicking "Clear" button

    If MS Edge is not responding

In case your browser is non-responding and you cannot start the reset because the browser would not close, shut it down forcefully.

  1. Click on the Start button and launch Task Manager. Method 1. Step 4Click " Start" and go to "Task Manager if MS Edge is not responding
  2. In the list of processes, find Microsoft Edge. Right-click on each entry and navigate to Go to details tab. Method 1. Step 5Find Microsoft Edge process and right-click it. Select "Go to details" option
  3. Once you enter the tab, locate Microsoft Edge entries again. Right-click on them and select End Task function. Method 1. Step 6When in "Details" tab, find Microsoft Edge entries and end each of them by selecting "End Task" option

Method 2. Delete MS Edge registry keys to delete user settings

For that, you will need to launch Registry Editor. If you got infected with a browser hijacker or adware, opt for this method.

  1. Click Windows+R. In the prompt dialogue box, type regedit and press Enter. Method 2. Step 1Launch Registry Editor by clicking Windows and R buttons at the same time and typing in "regedit". Then, press Enter
  2. Launch Registry Editor and find the following location: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\SOFTWARE\\Classes\\Local Settings\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\AppContainer\\Storage\\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\\MicrosoftEdge Method 2. Step 2Go to the following location and delete it: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\ Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ AppContainer\Storage\ microsoft.microsoftedge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\MicrosoftEdge
  3. Delete the content and exit Registry Editor.
  4. A prompt window might ask you to restart the device.

Method 3. Make use of Powershell to reset Microsoft Edge

If MS Edge underperforms, runs slowly, does not load sites or displays “this website has a problem”, this method might be of use.

  1. Create a new administrator in your operating system. Enter File Explorer. Then, type the following entry: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe Method 3. Step 1Create a new administrator and go to "File Explorer". Now enter the following entry: C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Packages\ Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe
  2. Mark the existing folders, right-click on them and choose Delete. Method 3. Step 2Select all folders, right-click on them and select "Delete"
  3. Return to your previous account and run PowerShell. Access this application simply by pressing the Windows button or clicking on the Start icon. Type powershell. Right-click on it and choose Run as administrator function. Method 3. Step 3Return to your previous account and run PowerShell by clicking on the Start icon and entering "powershell". Right-click on it and select "Run as administrator" option
  4. Once the application is launched, paste this entry: Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose} Method 3. Step 4Once you launch the application, copy paste this entry: Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose}. Click "Enter" and let the command run. Edge will be refreshed after the process is finished
  5. Press Enter. You will see the running command. Once the process is finished, the browser will be fully reset.
  6. Now enter the following key: Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml”} Method 3. Step 5Finally, enter the following key to reinstall MS Edge: Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
  7. This action would reinstall the MS Edge on your computer.

Method 4. Run System File Checker to see whether there are no viruses on the system

More elaborate threats might be preventing MS Edge from operating properly.

  1. In that case, you need to check whether there are no virtual infections on the system by launching Command Prompt. Click Start button, type Command Prompt and select Run as administrator. Method 4. Step 1To make sure that there are no virtual infections on the system, launch Command Prompt by clicking "Start" button and entering "Command Prompt" to the search. Select "Run as administrator
  2. Once you launch it, type sfc /scannow and click Enter. Method 4. Step 2Enter "sfc /scannow" (without quotes) and click Enter
  3. The process will take some time. Method 4. Step 3Wait until the reset process finishes

Install Microsoft Edge again

The above-suggested methods would help you fully reset the browser. If your problem persists, you need to uninstall Microsoft Edge from your computer. Then, install Microsoft Edge browser again simply by visiting the official website of the browser and downloading it. The process takes only a moment.

Method 5. Step 1If the program persists, uninstall MS Edge and download it again from its official website

About the author
Gabriel E. Hall
Gabriel E. Hall - Passionate web researcher

Gabriel E. Hall is a passionate malware researcher who has been working for 2-spyware for almost a decade.

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