What Is Microsoft Edge?

[Scarlett]

I've just noticed a new icon on my PC (Windows 7) - a blue green swirl, which is apparently Microsoft Edge. I didn't install it! What is it do I need it, and why did it appear without me asking for it?!

[The Builder]

Hello Scarlett. It's just one of Microsoft's automatic updates.
They love people to use only their products (Bing etc.)

It's only a browser, as is Chrome, but really not as good.

[Scarlett]

Thank you! I was concerned that my PC had restarted - and a project I was working on (video editing) had been closed down too. Just as well I saved it.

[Jackdaw33]

It's a modern-day version of Internet Explorer. It took me ages to delete it from my taskbar.

[bhg481]

If you go into Control Panel > Programs and Features you will see it listed (with its installation date) and you can uninstall it. That's what I did.

[Togo]

That is the new version of the Edge Browser that is embedded in the W10 operating system. This new version of Edge was trialled as Edge Beta for some months and is based on an open source version using some of the Chrome framework. It is actually very good. I have ben using it for months on 3 machines. We are a google free environment here.

[Togo]

You may uninstall Edge Beta in its original trial format but the new version like the original Edge browser is built in and cannot be "uninstalled". It can be unpinned rom the Task Bar though.

[Palustris]

Thank-you. Did not realise that it was installed so I have now deleted it.

[Buenchico]

While I agree with all of the above, I can't see how you've managed to end up with Edge on a Windows 7 machine!

Edge is the latest browser from Microsoft (which is intended to replace the dreaded Internet Explorer). It comes built into Windows 10 but it can't be downloaded or used with Windows 7. So the icon that you're seeing most definitely shouldn't be there!

That makes me consider the possibility that there could be some malware on your machine, which is trying to trick you into clicking on that suspicious icon and actually opening something nasty (instead of Edge).

So it might be best to run a malware scan. Download and run AdwCleaner. (There's no installation process involved; you simply run the downloaded file directly). If it reports finding something nasty, accept the option to zap it:
https://www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner/

[Togo]

Scarlett.....has your PC upgraded to W10 without you realising?

[gingejbee]

Chris....yes, it is Edge on a W7 machine.There was an update yesterday...."Edge installation for Windows 7"....and there it was!

[Buenchico]

I'm more confused than ever now!

Microsoft no longer supports Windows 7, so there shouldn't be ANY updates for it arriving on users' machines, yet alone one that appears to want to add Edge to them!

[Mamyalynne]

Does this explain?

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-rolls-out-new-edge-to-windows-7-via-windows-update/

[Buenchico]

Oh, Google to the rescue, possibly. It looks like Microsoft did bring out a version of Edge for Windows 7 but it should have required users to download it to their machines. I've no idea why it could now be turning up uninvited on Windows 7 computers many months after all updates for Windows 7 should have ceased anyway!
https://venturebeat.com/2020/01/15/microsoft-launches-chromium-edge-for-windows-7-windows-8-windows-10-and-macos/

[tiggerblue10]

I had Edge before but it upgraded itself to the new version a few weeks ago. Seems ok.

[gingejbee]

In my case, it did require a download....it wasn't "just there".

[Buenchico]

^^^ Crossed posts with Mamya!

My Windows 7 machine refuses to install any updates, so perhaps that's why I've not seen it! (It still seems naughty of Microsoft though to try to land people with a browser that they probably won't want and will undoubtedly take up hard drive space that some people might be short of).

[Scarlett]

I'd like to get rid of it as I don't need it. But when I open Control Panel I can't find the usual add/remove programs option. Any ideas?!

[JimF]

You can't directly, unless you're a bit of a whizz with the Registry. Fortunately, there are several third-party options available:

https://thinkmobiles.com/blog/how-to-uninstall-microsoft-edge/#:~:text=Select%20the%20Microsoft%20Edge%20app,in%20the%20pop%2Dup%20window.

[Buenchico]

I suspect that you might not be able to directly uninstall Edge from your computer, Scarlett, as (just like Internet Explorer) it's designed to actually be a part of Windows itself, rather than a separate program.

However you could try uninstalling the update that delivered it to your machine. To do so, click the Start button and type 'update' into the box. When you see 'View installed updates' appear above it, click on that. If you can spot an update that's arrived recently, right-click on it and select 'Uninstall'.

[Togo]

It has been possible to run Edge on a W7 OS machine for about 3 years now. You did have to seek it out. Microsoft are now installing it to replace I.E.