Microsoft Edge Missing on windows 11 (Lets restore it)

Microsoft Edge the default web browser for Windows 11/10 featured to replace Internet Explorer. It’s faster, More Secure and the company regularly updates the Edge browser with new features to compete over the Chrome browser. But recently after installing the Windows 11 23H2 update, a few numbers of users reported Microsoft Edge Browser missing on Windows 11. This can be frustrating, especially if you rely on Edge for your browsing needs. This article explores common reasons behind this and troubleshooting steps to restore the missing edge browser on Windows 11.

Microsoft edge is now missing from my start page and my taskbar. When searching in my applications it is not listed. It is however in my c drive and I can make a shortcut to it on my desktop, pin to start/pin to taskbar, but clicking on these shortcuts opens nothing.  (Via Microsoft forum)

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Fix Microsoft Edge missing on Windows 10

There are several reasons that cause Microsoft Edge browsers missing on Windows 11. Corrupted Installation, System File Corruption or Corrupted Installation are common.

  • Microsoft Edge may have been accidentally unpinned from the taskbar or Start menu, making it appear as if it’s missing.
  • Microsoft Edge might be uninstalled either intentionally or unintentionally. This can happen through system modifications, third-party applications, or user actions.
  • Problems during Windows updates or incomplete updates may lead to inconsistencies in system files, potentially affecting the accessibility of Microsoft Edge.
  • Corrupted installation files of Microsoft Edge can occur due to various reasons, including interrupted installations, software conflicts, or issues during updates. This corruption can lead to the browser going missing.
  • User-specific settings or profile issues might be causing Microsoft Edge to be inaccessible. This can happen if there are conflicts or corruptions in the user profile, leading to the browser not appearing for a specific user.
  • Corrupted system files can result from various factors, including malware, hardware issues, or sudden power loss during system operations. Such corruption can affect the functionality of Microsoft Edge.
  • Errors or corruption in the Windows Registry, especially those related to Microsoft Edge, can impact the proper functioning and visibility of the browser on the system.

Pin Microsoft Edge to the Taskbar or Start Menu

It may be possible that the Edge icon is just unpinned from the taskbar or Start menu. check and Ensure Microsoft Edge is not accidentally unpinned from the taskbar or Start menu. If unpinned, re-pin it for easy access.

If so, right-click on the Microsoft Edge icon and choose “Pin to Taskbar” or “Pin to Start.”

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Also, Try opening the Edge by protocol name:

  • Press the Windows+R key type microsoft-edge:// and hit Enter.
  • If the Edge browser starts, Then right-click on the edge icon on the taskbar and select pin to taskbar.

Temporary Disable Security software (Antivirus) if installed. Also, it is possible Windows Defender is blocking some features on Microsoft Edge. Let’s disable the Windows Defender firewall.

  • Press Windows Key+S, type “Windows Defender Firewall” (no quotes), then press Enter.
  • Go to the left-pane menu, then click Turn Windows Defender Firewall On or Off.
  • Switch off Windows Firewall for both public and private networks. Press OK.

use system file checker scan

Sometimes, corrupted or missing system files can cause problems with the Edge browser. Running System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Service and Management Tool (DISM) scans is essential for repairing any corrupted system files or image issues. These scans contribute to the overall stability of the Windows environment and, subsequently, the proper functioning of Microsoft Edge.

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  1. On the start menu search type cmd, Select and right-click on the command prompt, and click Run as administrator.
  2. Here on the command prompt window type sfc /scannow and hit the enter key to execute the command.
  3. This will start scanning for corrupted missing system files.
  4. if found any the SFC utility automatically restores them from a compressed folder %WinDir%\System32\dllcache.
  5. Wait until 100% complete the scanning process

Run sfc utility

Run DISM command

If SFC scan results “Windows resource protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them” that cause Run the DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management ) command that service the system image, and allow SFC to repair corrupted system files.

  1. Again open the command prompt as administrator.
  2. Type the command DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press the enter key.
  3. Wait for 100% to complete the scanning process and after that run the system file checker Utility.
  4. Restart Windows and check Edge browser get restored is working properly.

Note: The tool might take 15-20 minutes to finish running, so please wait do not cancel it.

DISM RestoreHealth Command line

Run Store App Troubleshooter

As Microsoft Edge is a Windows App Run the Build in Store app troubleshooter helps to fix the problems to prevent Edge browser open.

  • Type troubleshoot settings on the start menu search and press the enter key.
  • Select Windows Store apps and run the troubleshooter
  • This will check and fix the problems prevent Windows store apps include Edge browser from working properly.
  • After complete, the troubleshooting process, restart Windows, and check Edge restored.

Store app troubleshooter windows 11

Re-install the Microsoft Edge browser

If all the above solutions failed to restore the edge browser, follow the steps below to reinstall the Microsoft Edge browser.

  • Open the File Explorer using the Windows + E shortcut key then navigate to the following path.

C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Packages

Note: Replace Yourusername with your user account name.

Note: If you didn’t find the AppData folder, then make sure you have enabled Show hidden folder option from File Explorer -> View -> Check mark on Hidden items.

  • Look for Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe folder and right-click on it.
  • Select Properties and uncheck the Read-Only option in the Properties window.
  • Click Apply and ok to make save changes.
  • Now Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe folder and delete all data inside this folder.
  • If you get the prompt saying “Folder Access Denied”, click on continue.
  • And restart your PC to completely remove the edge browser.

Now we are going to re-register the Microsoft edge browser to do this 

  • Right-click on the start menu Select Powershell (admin) to Open PowerShell as administrator.
  • Then copy the command below and paste it on PowerShell windows press enter to execute the same.

Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}

Re-register the missing apps using PowerShell

  • Once you’ve completed the steps, Microsoft Edge will reinstall it on your device.
  • Restart Windows and check Edge browser is there and it’s working properly.

Create a New User Account

Creating a new user account helps determine if the issue is specific to the user profile. If Microsoft Edge is accessible in the new account, it indicates that there might be user-specific settings causing the problem.

  • Open “Settings” and navigate to “Accounts” > “Family & other users.”
  • Click on “Add account” and create a new user account.
  • Log in to the new account and check if Microsoft Edge is accessible.

Open Windows PowerShell with administrative privileges, and perform the command below.

net user kumar password /add

Here replace Kumar with the username you looking to create and replace the password that you want to set for the user account.

create user account using power shell

After that logoff from the current user account and log in with the newly created user account. Check edge browser is there and it’s working normally.

Ensure Windows 11 is Up to Date

Keeping Windows 11 up to date is essential for maintaining overall system compatibility. An updated operating system ensures that Microsoft Edge functions seamlessly. Sometimes, Edge may disappear due to a bug or a compatibility issue that can be fixed by installing the latest updates for Windows 11 and Edge.

  • Go to “Settings” and select “Windows Update.”
  • Install any pending updates to ensure your Windows 11 operating system is current.

Windows 11 update

Also, you can visit the Microsoft Edge official download page to get the latest Edge browser package and run as administrator to install Microsoft Edge on Windows 11.

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