How to stop Microsoft Edge from running in the background

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Some apps are usually pre-set to run some of their business in the background. However, this can be more of a hindrance than a help for you or the device you are using.

While other apps are justified for working in the background such as antiviruses (your guardian angel, fighting against malware that is prying on your device), others are not. Among these ‘naughty’ apps are the new Microsoft Edge, which allows some not-so-important functions to run in the background.

This article will guide you on how to stop Microsoft Edge from running in the background. The focus will be on Edge’s latest development – the browser that was made possible by the Chromium open source project.

See also: How to use Collections in Microsoft Edge

The Chromium kind of Edge

Chromium is a cross-platform software that functions in the same way, whether you are using a Windows, a Mac, an Android, or an iOS.

From Internet Explorer to Chromium Edge, Microsoft has been trying to push other browser platforms to the edge such as Chrome (Google), Firefox (Mozilla Foundation), and Opera Mini (Opera Limited).

Their latest version of Edge is coded 81.0.416.77 and is available from the website (For Windows PC).

The steps that will be shown will use this update so make sure that the version you are using is up to date.

Why stop, and how?

In this new version, the browser keeps running even when closed and absent in the foreground.

Stopping Microsoft Edge from operating in the background is beneficial in the following ways:

  1. It saves your battery life, especially if your power supply is not consistent.
  2. It reduces the constraints of a fully engaged RAM, such that you can do your foreground business without your machine hanging.

There are up to three ways that you can use to prevent Microsoft Edge from being up and running when that is unintended. They are:

  1. Turning off the function from within the app (Edge)
  2. Using Windows Registry
  3. Using Group Policy

The last two are a little geeky so in this article, they will be overlooked. This article shall pay special attention to number 1.

Take number one on!

These steps are for Windows PC. They have delicately broken down for anyone to understand, even you, dummy (no offense should be taken)!

  1. Tap on the Windows button on your keyboard or click on it (bottom-left corner).
  2. Navigate to the ‘New Microsoft Edge’ icon to launch it.
  3. On the top-right corner of the open tab, click on the three dots that have been horizontally arranged to shoot out a menu that will show buttons that help you configure Edge.
  4. Click on ‘Settings’ which is just below ‘More Tools’. The Edge Settings page will load the active tab. Also, an array of options will be displayed on the left side of the screen.
  5. Go down and click ‘System’ which is just below ‘Printers’. The ‘System’ screen will show on the right with only three options. The first option and which is of interest is labeled, “Continue running background apps when Microsoft Edge is closed”. This setting is activated.
  6. Click on the slider button to disable the function.

Should work at once

Now, Microsoft Edge is unable to continue running in the background and you can enjoy an optimized PC and smoothly-running functions.

If this doesn’t work, consider looking up the geeky steps (two and three), but it should.

If you may need to enable the background-running function because of this or that, you just need to go back to the steps and reactivate the settings.