# Microsoft Edge

Application: Microsoft Corporation

Also called edge, microsoft edge, msedge

Microsoft Corporation, Browsers

The Chromium-based browser that ships with current Windows. The process name is msedge.exe.

## What you need to know

Edge is the in-box Chromium browser.

Microsoft Edge shares an engine family with Chrome. Windows also uses Edge WebView for some system surfaces, so you can see Edge-related processes even if you browse elsewhere.

- **What is it?**: The Windows in-box browser

  **Can I remove it?**: Removal is limited on current Windows

  **WebView?**: Some Windows UI embeds the engine

Feex says

If you never open Edge and still see msedge.exe, a WebView or a widget may be using the engine. That is not automatically malware.

## What is Microsoft Edge?

Microsoft Edge is the web browser that ships with current Windows. The main process is msedge.exe.

## If you have never used it

If you never chose a browser, this is the one Windows already installed. You open it from the blue e, or another app embeds it as WebView2. You do not download Edge from a random exe host. Settings > Apps can hide some pieces, but current Windows still uses the engine for system UI.

## What is it used for?

**Web browsing**

Daily tabs, PDF, and Microsoft account sync.

**Collections and shopping**

Optional Edge features. You can ignore them and still browse.

**Windows WebView hosts**

Widgets, Store pages, and other apps can start msedgewebview2.exe without a browser window.

## Who is it for?

- People who use the browser Windows already has
- Work PCs that are policy-managed toward Edge
- Users who still prefer another browser for daily tabs

## Current status

Actively developed. Microsoft ships Edge on a Chromium cadence. Legacy EdgeHTML is not this product.

## How old is it?

Microsoft shipped the first Edge in 2015 on the EdgeHTML engine. In 2020 it rebuilt Edge on Chromium. The old EdgeHTML app is gone from current Windows. If a guide still talks about "Spartan" or edgehtml.dll as the daily browser, it is stale.

## Versions

Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.

Stable

Beta

Dev

Canary

## System requirements

Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.

### Minimum

| CPU              | A 64-bit processor supported by current Windows                     |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| RAM              | 4 GB class machines run it. More tabs want more RAM                 |
| Operating system | A current supported Windows 10 or Windows 11 release, per Microsoft |

## Resource profile

- **CPU demand**: Follows the tab or WebView

  **RAM demand**: Can be high with many tabs

  **GPU demand**: Used when acceleration is on

## Installed processes

These executables belong to this product when it is installed.

| msedge.exe         | Browser, tabs, and utilities |
| ------------------ | ---------------------------- |
| msedgewebview2.exe | Embedded Edge for other apps |

## Startup components

Edge can start with Windows if you allow it. Some Windows features start a WebView without opening a full browser window.

## File locations

| Typical install | C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\\ |
| --------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |

## File formats

HTML, PDF, PNG, JPEG

## Common problems

### Runs while you use another browser

WebView2 and Widgets can start the engine. Check which window is actually open.

### Forced as default

Work policy can pin Edge. That is an admin choice, not a virus named msedge.exe.

## Getting unstuck

### See who started the engine

If you never opened Edge, check Widgets, Outlook, or another app using WebView2. Task Manager > Details can show a parent.

### Repair from Settings

Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Microsoft Edge > Modify. That is the supported repair, not a third-party "Edge cleaner".

### Do not hunt for Legacy Edge

Current Windows does not give you the 2015 EdgeHTML browser back. Chromium Edge is the product.

## Alternatives

Chrome and Firefox cover the same daily job. On current Windows, some system UI still uses the Edge engine.

## Official help and downloads

Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.

| Product page | [www.microsoft.com/edge ](https://www.microsoft.com/edge)What Microsoft ships today                                                      |
| ------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Learn docs   | [learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-edge/ ](https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-edge/)Admin and developer documentation                     |
| Support      | [support.microsoft.com/microsoft-edge ](https://support.microsoft.com/microsoft-edge)Sign-in, sync, and reset help                       |
| WebView2     | [learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-edge/webview2/ ](https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-edge/webview2/)Why other apps start an Edge engine |

## Related hardware

Same class of need as Chrome: RAM and a current GPU driver matter more than a famous CPU name.

## Technical details

Technical details

Per-version file hashes and volume-license paths are not verified in this preview.

## Related

These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link.

[msedge.exe: Application Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/msedge.exe)[Google Chrome: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/google-chrome)

## Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research).

- [Microsoft Edge documentation ](https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-edge/)· Official Edge docs
- [Microsoft Edge support ](https://support.microsoft.com/microsoft-edge)· End-user help
- [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

## Was this article useful?

A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note.

Quick facts

The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article.

- **Developer**: Microsoft Corporation

  **Category**: Web browser

  **Process**: [msedge.exe](https://feex.it/wiki/process/msedge.exe)

  **Ships with**: Current Windows 10 and Windows 11

  **First released**: 2015 (EdgeHTML). Chromium Edge 2020

  **Official site**: [microsoft.com/edge](https://www.microsoft.com/edge)

Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026

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Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/software/microsoft-edge/)

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