Google will not let me use Edge

Question

Google will not let me use Edge

Billy Bee 0

I just downloaded google and now it has hijacked MS Edge. I tried to uninstall google but can't. I think I tried through setting but the change soft key to default was grayed out.

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1 answer

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Answer 1

Ramesh Srinivasan 88,545 Independent Advisor

Hi Billy,

Please try uninstalling Google Chrome via Programs and Features.

Press Win + R, type appwiz.cpl and click OK.

See if you can uninstall it from there.

Alternatively, you can set Microsoft Edge as the default browser via Settings.

Open Settings > Apps > Default apps.
Under Set defaults for applications, select Microsoft Edge.
Next to Make Microsoft Edge your default browser, select Set default.

Reference: Change Default Apps in Windows | Microsoft Support

Ramesh Srinivasan 88,545 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-25T13:32:37.8+00:00

Hi,

Have you tried one of the options I posted? More information will help me assist you better.
Billy Bee 0 Reputation points

2026-09-25T14:09:45.2433333+00:00

Yes, but nothing worked! I check marked the MS Edge default. I tried the roll my PC back and the soft key was grayed out. The "Go back" option is not available. I have the MS Edge "E" but when I click it I only get the Google screen. I can't find anything else that tells me that my browser is a Google but it seems to be. I seems to me that I have some of both.
Ramesh Srinivasan 88,545 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-25T14:14:39.6966667+00:00

Press Win + R, type msedge and click OK.

Which browser does it open? If you think it opens Chrome, please post a screenshot.
Billy Bee 0 Reputation points

2026-09-25T14:21:31.99+00:00

Yes, Chrome
Ramesh Srinivasan 88,545 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-25T14:24:03.5366667+00:00

I think Edge Deflector or a similar app is installed on the computer.

Please open Command Prompt and run this command:

winget list

Copy the output and post it in your next reply. The commands shows the list of apps installed in your system.
Billy Bee 0 Reputation points

2026-09-25T14:40:37.6+00:00

I see the info from "winget list" flash for a second then disappear.
Ramesh Srinivasan 88,545 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-25T14:41:49.6266667+00:00

The command needs to be run from a Command Prompt window instead of the Run dialog.
Billy Bee 0 Reputation points

2026-09-25T15:27:44+00:00

Thanks, Its a long list...I have to go to work for 4 hours. Thanks for putting up with me so far!

End 6/6

Ramesh Srinivasan 88,545 Independent Advisor

No suspicious apps were found. Please open Command Prompt and run these commands:

reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\msedge.exe" /s

reg query "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\msedge.exe" /s

reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\msedge.exe" /s

Post the output here.

Billy Bee 0 Reputation points

2026-09-25T20:05:11.24+00:00

I do not know how to "open Command Prompt and run these commands"

I have never gotten into using the Registry :(

However, I am gfcs69 not gfcs6...
Billy Bee 0 Reputation points

2026-09-25T22:41:45.19+00:00

I tried some others, but as you see this is quite unknown to me.
Ramesh Srinivasan 88,545 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-26T01:42:18.5833333+00:00

Simply copy each command I posted and paste it into Command Prompt. You left out the reg query part.
Billy Bee 0 Reputation points

2026-09-26T12:46:35.8066667+00:00

Results as follows:
Ramesh Srinivasan 88,545 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-26T12:50:25.7833333+00:00

My mistake. I just saw your browser screenshot posted yesterday.

Microsoft Edge opens correctly, but it launches google.com as the start page.

You can change the Edge start page via Edge settings.

Please see Change your browser home page - Microsoft Support
Ramesh Srinivasan 88,545 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-26T12:52:10.1+00:00

Or visit edge://settings/startHomeNTP in Edge and change the start page (and the home page) URLs.
Billy Bee 0 Reputation points

2026-09-26T13:22:46.62+00:00

Thank you! The PC isn't exactly back to normal...Google is still around (somewhere?) but I am satisfied with all your help. You restored "Edge", what I asked.
Ramesh Srinivasan 88,545 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-26T13:55:35.3433333+00:00

Thanks for the feedback! Google Chrome doesn't seem to be installed, as it's not listed in Apps & Features.

If everything is resolved, feel free to mark the answer for this thread. Otherwise, please let me know if there's anything else I can help you with.
Billy Bee 0 Reputation points

2026-09-26T13:59:04.13+00:00

Thank you, again...Resolved!
Ramesh Srinivasan 88,545 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-26T14:00:39.89+00:00

You're welcome!