Edge’s Background Behavior on Modern Windows 11

If Edge is always runing in the background on Windows, it will use up your device’s CPU and negatively impacts its memory, performance, and battery.

Here are simple methods you can undertake to keep Edge from running in the background to improve your device’s performance.

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1. Change the Power Settings on Edge

The easiest and most effective way to keep Edge from running undetected in the background on Windows 11 is to update its permissions from Settings.

1. Go toMicrosoft Edge , click on the three vertical dots at the top-right (or pressAlt + F), and selectSettings .
2. SelectSettings and click onSystems and Performance .
3. Find the toggle button for the option called Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed and turn it off.
   

2. Edit the Windows Registry

Another method to prevent Edge from running in the background is to tweak the Registry. Microsoft Edge is set to automatically start background processes at Windows startup. You candisable processes set to run on startup from the Registry.

Before you make any changes to the Registry, make sure youback up the Registry to be safe in case something goes wrong.

PressWin + R, type in regedit in the Run window, and pressEnter . Once the Registry Editor opens, copy and paste the following path in the navigation bar at the top and pressEnter :

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Microsoft Edge\Main

1. Right-click in the empty space in the right pane.
2. SelectNew option > DWORD (32-bit) Value .
3. Name the new fileAllowPrelaunch .
4. After renaming the new file, double-click on the file and set itsValue data to 0.
   

Stop Edge Running in the Background to Ensure the Smooth Functioning of Your Device

While Edge running in the background isn’t a major issue, preventing this from happening can go a long way in improving your device’s performance and freeing up its memory. Of course, Edge uses a lot of resources anyway, just like Chrome and Firefox. If you’re trying to improve performance, you might consider looking for a light browser that isn’t resource-intensive.

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