How to Block Microsoft Edge from Running in the Background on Windows 10

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If your computer is slowing down or the battery is running out faster, then your Microsoft Edge browser could be one of the reasons. The Edge browser allows its apps, extensions and other services to run in the background, even after you have closed it, thus, allowing the browser to continue using your computer’s resources. This is when you may see Microsoft Edge still running in the background processes in the Task Manager. In such a case it would be better to block Microsoft Edge from running in the background on your Windows 10 PC. Let’s see how.

Method 1: Through Microsoft Edge Settings

 

Step 1: Launch Microsoft Edge and click on the three horizontal dots (Settings and more) on the upper right side of the browser.

Now, select Settings from the context menu.

 

Edge Settings And More Settings

 

Step 2: In the Settings window, go to the left side of the pane and click on System.

 

Edge Settings Left Side System

 



Step 3: In the next window, under the System section, turn off the Continue running background apps when Microsoft Edge is closed option.

 

Settings System Continue Running Background Apps When Microsoft Edge Is Closed Turn Off

 

Now whenever you close the Edge browser, any of the related apps and extensions will be closed along with it. This will free up the resources and save battery life.

 

Method 2: By Making Changes to the Registry Editor

 

Step 1: Right-click on the Start menu and select Run to launch the Run command window.

 

Start Right Click Run

 

Step 2: In the Run command window, type regedit in the search field and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor window.

 

Run Command Regedit Ok

 

Step 3: In the Registry Editor window, navigate to the below path:

 

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\MicrosoftEdge\Main

 

*Note – Before you proceed to make any changes to the Registry Editor, make sure that you create a backup of the registry data, so that, in case of any data loss, it can be recovered.

 

Step 4: Now, go to the right side of the Registry Editor window and right-click on the empty area. Select New and then DWORD (32-bit) Value.

 

Registry Editor Navigate To Path Right Side Empty Area Right Click New Dword (32 Bit) Value

 

*Note – If the Main key is missing, then add the key under the Microsoft Edge folder. Follow the below process:

1: Right-click on the Microsoft Edge key, select New and then select Key.

 

Registry Editor Navigate To Path Microsoft Edge Right Click New Key

 

2: Now, rename the new key as Main.

 

Registry Editor Microsoft Edge Rename New Key As Main

 

Now, move to Step 4.

 

Step 4: Now, rename the new DWORD Value as AllowPrelaunch.

Double-click on it to open the Edit DWORD (32-bit) Value window.

 

New Dword Value Rename Allowprelaunch Double Click

 

Step 5: In the Edit DWORD (32-bit) Value window, go to the Value data field and set it 0.

Press OK to save changes and exit.

 

Edit Dword (32 Bit) Value Value Data 0 Ok

 

Step 6: Now, copy and paste the below path in the Registry Editor address and hit Enter:

 

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\MicrosoftEdge\TabPreloader

 

Now, go to the right side of the Registry Editor window and right-click on the empty area. Select New and then DWORD (32-bit) Value.

 

Registry Editor Navigate To Path Tabpreloader Right Side Empty Area Right Click New Dword (32 Bit) Value

 

Step 7: Rename the new DWORD Value as PreventTabPreloading.



Double-click to open its Edit DWORD (32-bit) Value window.

 

New Dword Value Rename Preventtabpreloading Double Click

 

Step 8: In the Edit DWORD (32-bit) Value window, navigate to the Value data field and set the value to 1.

Press OK to save the changes and exit.

 

Preventtabpreloading Edit Dword (32 Bit) Value Value Data 0 Ok

 

*Note – If the TabPreloader key is missing, then add the key under the Microsoft Edge folder. Follow the below process:

1: Right-click on the Microsoft Edge key, select New and then select Key.

 

Registry Editor Navigate To Path Microsoft Edge Right Click New Key

 

2: Now, rename the new key as TabPreloader.

 

Registry Editor Navigate To Path Microsoft Edge New Key Rename Tabpreloader

 

 

Step 9: Go back in the Registry Editor, again right-click on the empty area on the right side of the pane.

Now, select New and then, DWORD (32-bit) Value from the context menu.

 

Registry Editor Tabpreloader Right Side Empty Area Right Click New Key

 

Step 10: Now, rename the new DWORD Value as AllowTabPreloading.

Double-click to open its Edit DWORD (32-bit) Value dialogue box.

 



New Dword Value Rename Allowtabpreloading Double Click

 

Step 11: In the Edit DWORD (32-bit) Value dialogue box, go to the Value data field and change the value to 0.

Press OK to save changes and exit.

 

Edit Dword (32 Bit) Value Allowtabpreloading Value Data 0 Ok

 

Now, restart your PC and the Microsoft Edge should not be running in the background anymore.

 

Method 3: Through Background Apps Settings

 

Step 1: Press the Win + I keys together on your keyboard to open the Settings window.

Step 2: In the Settings window, click on Privacy.

 

Settings Privacy

 

Step 3: In the next window, go to the left side of the pane, scroll down and under the App permissions section, click on Background apps.

 

Settings Privacy Background Apps

 

Step 4: Now, navigate to the right side of the window, scroll down and under Select which apps can run in the background section, go to Microsoft Edge.

Now, turn the slider to the left to disable it.

Now, reboot your PC and check if the Microsoft Edge is still running in the background.



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