Windows 10: Tech Question - Restoring Edge SystemApp Folder to Normal

Hi everyone,

A while back on my work computer I renamed the Edge file in the SystemApps (Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe) folder so that I wouldn't be able to open Microsoft Edge. At the time, Edge was really distracting for me during work and there was no way to block it so I had to get creative.

Now I'm leaving this job and I'm trying to undo all of the changes I made to the computer (uninstalling spotify/discord/etc.), and I'm unable to rename the file back to what it originally was to regain access to Edge. In fact, it looks like there's another file that the original was named as, though Edge still doesn't work and I can't rename the original file. I'm not really sure what happened there. See image: https://imgur.com/a/FtVEwbP

But now it seems like they're both owned by Trusted Installer, so I can't rename them. I'm assuming that trying to delete something would break everything. Any tips? I don't want to do anything like restore to factory settings because there's some specific work software on here.

Additionally, is this computer-wide or account specific? My computer will be recycled by the company so it might just be a non-issue once they delete my profile, but SystemApps may be system-wide.

submitted by /u/OnlyUsesTheLastWord
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:)

 

Restore/Download SystemApps folder contents

So i recently reset my computer about a month or so ago. And part of my setup/configuration i deleted some of the system apps like cortana and edge...

Uknowingly i think i deleted some of the wrong folders... because now none of the windows apps like Paint 3D or the Microsoft store, Photos, Calculator, any windows 10 app... it won't start anymore, it opens stays there for a few seconds and closes... I
checked my SystemApps folder under the Windows folder on the C: drive and yep, alot of the folders are missing:

 

How to disable or uninstall Microsoft Edge in Windows 10

UPDATE AUGUST 2018: Microsoft keeps changing things a bit, but you can still "Disable" the Edge browser by doing the following:

1. Hold down the Ctrl and Alt keys and tap the delete key, then click on Task Manager.
   
2. If it says "More details" at the bottom of the Task Manager window, click on it to show more details.
   
3. Scroll down the list and look for "Microsoft Edge". If you find it in the list, right click on it and select "End task".
   
4. Now, open File Explorer and find the folder "C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe" and rename that folder to anything you wish. (I normally just append some text to it like "_remove" so I can easily re-enable Edge in the future if I desire.)
   

Edge should now be "disabled".

Keep in mind that Microsoft may try to re-enable Edge during a future update...

THE ANSWERS BELOW ARE OLDER ANSWERS...

UPDATE: In January 2017 I disabled Edge on a new Windows 10 install by simply renaming the "C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe" folder. (If you are asked to allow administrator privileges be sure to answer in the affirmative.) Renaming this folder was not possible in the past without following the more detailed steps below. This much simpler approach achieves the exact same results as the more complex instructions below! However, for older installations and/or Windows upgrades the below instructions may still be the only answer.

THE ANSWER BELOW THIS LINE IS THE OLDER ANSWER...

As already stated, the other answers are no longer valid due to changes in Windows 10 -- Microsoft has removed all supported methods for disabling Edge. As of today, this answer still works. Although parts of this answer were given, not all of it was given together in a step by step manner.

• Go to: C:\Windows\SystemApps\
  
• Open folder Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe
  
• Right click on MicrosoftEdge file then Properties / Security / Advanced / Click Change (next to owner) and change to your username, then click OK
  
• Then Click Edit, then add your username and give full permissions
  
• Rename MicrosoftEdge file to MicrosoftEdge_remove or a name of your choice
  
• Repeat all above steps for file MicrosoftEdgeCP also
  
• Done! Edge will not run!
  

Been running Windows 10 Pro like this on 100+ PCs for several months without issues.

A NOTE REGARDING WINDOWS ANNIVERSARY UPDATE: The Anniversary update appears to undo the above changes and re-enable Edge. In my case I just ran the above steps again, and Edge is once again disabled.

 

Microsoft Edge not functionally normally after update.

Thank you for the update. If the above steps did not work and you're still experiencing the issue, try following the steps provided in this
thread to resolve the issue. Check the answers of Tiero Chi and NigelShires
and see if those will work for you as well.

You can also try disabling and enabling Edge. You might have to remove or rename some of its core files to disable/rename Edge. Follow the steps below:

• Go to C:\Windows\SystemApps\ folder.
• Look for Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe folder, right-click on it and select
  Properties.
• Set the folder to Read-only. (The option must be checked with a check mark and not just a square.)
• Click Apply then OK to save changes.
• Open the Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe folder, on the
  View tab, make sure that File Name extension option is checked.
• Locate MicrosoftEdge.exe and MicrosoftEdgeCP.exe then rename them to
  MicrosoftEdge.old and MicrosoftEdgeCP.old. This will change the file extensions and will disable Edge completely.
  
• Optional: If you want to enable Microsoft Edge or if you’re having any issues after disabling Microsoft Edge, just repeat the same steps and rename
  MicrosoftEdge.old and MicrosoftEdgeCP.old to
  MicrosoftEdge.exe and MicrosoftEdgeCP.exe.

Let us know if you need further assistance.