Microsoft Edge is the flagship browser from Microsoft and its default browser for Windows 11 and Windows 10. According to various tests, Microsoft Edge is a very fast browser, even faster than Chrome. It starts in under 2 seconds, loads web pages faster, and is low on system resources as well. And Microsoft regularly updates the browser with the latest bug fixes, security improvements, add new features such as sleep tabs, tab groups, and more that can help with productivity and efficiency. But still bugs and glitches present there, and you may experience Microsoft Edge very slow to launch, not responding after update or fails to load webpages on Windows 11. There are multiple reasons may cause Microsoft Edge slow down, corrupt browser cache, malicious extensions, and outdated versions of edge browser are common. In this article, we will explore the possible reasons and how to fix Slow Microsoft Edge on Windows 11.
Why is Microsoft Edge running slow on Windows 11
There can be several reasons why Microsoft Edge may run slow on Windows 11. It may be temporary files, cookies, and cached data can accumulate in Microsoft Edge, leading to increased load times and reduced overall performance. Slow internet connectivity or network-related problems can impact the browsing experience and result slow loading pages or slow downloads. Sometimes Poorly optimized or outdated extensions can significantly slow down the browser’s performance, especially if numerous extensions are installed. Again using an outdated version of Microsoft Edge can also contribute to slow performance on Windows 11.
How to speed up Microsoft Edge on Windows 11
Update the browser’s latest version, removing extensions and clear browsing data probably help fix Microsoft Edge slow performance issue. For a few users, Resetting Edge to its default settings works like a charm.
An unstable intermittent connection can slow down your browser loading time. Ensure that your network connection is stable and try restarting your router or contacting your internet service provider if necessary.
Update Microsoft Edge
Ensure that you are using the latest version of Microsoft Edge. Updating Edge ensures that you have the latest features, bug fixes, and performance enhancements that Microsoft releases with each update.
To update the Microsoft Edge browser:
- Open Microsoft Edge on your computer, click on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner, go to “Settings,”
- Click on “About Microsoft Edge,” and this will “Check for updates ” and install them.
- Alternatively, you can type edge://settings/help on the address bar then press enter key to check for and update the edge browser on Windows 11.
In addition Keeping your Windows 11 operating system up to date is essential. Windows updates often include performance optimizations. To check for updates, go to “Settings,” select “Windows Update,” and click on “Check for updates.”
Clear browsing data
Similar to other web browsers Microsoft Edge also stores cookies, and cached data to speed up web page loading times. Over time, temporary files, cookies, and cached data accumulate in the browser, which can slow down its responsiveness. Lets clear Microsoft Edge browsing data that free up valuable space and potentially resolve any performance issues caused by excessive data buildup.
- Open Microsoft Edge, Click on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and Go to “Settings.”
- Select “Privacy, search, and services”, Under “Clear browsing data,” click on “Choose what to clear.”
- Alternatively, you can press Shift + Ctrl + Del or type edge://settings/clearBrowserData on the address bar then press enter to open the clear browsing data option.
- Choose the time range All time and select the appropriate data to clear, such as browsing history, cookies, and cached images.
- And Click on “Clear” to remove the selected data.
Disable unnecessary extensions
Extensions are add-ons that provide additional functionality to the browser, but having too many or poorly optimized extensions can slow down its performance. Disabling unnecessary extensions can reduce the strain on system resources and improve the overall speed and responsiveness of Microsoft Edge.
- Open Microsoft Edge, Click on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and Go to “Extensions” in the menu.
- Click on Manage Extensions to display a list of installed extensions. Alternatively, you can type edge://extensions/ on the address bar to display installed extensions.
- To disable an extension, toggle off the switch next to it or click on the remove button to uninstall it completely.
- Restart Microsoft Edge to apply the changes and check if it improved edge performance.
Reset Microsoft Edge settings
If the above solutions fail to fix the problem you should consider Resetting the browser. Resetting Edge restores the browser to its default settings, which can resolve problems caused by misconfigurations or conflicting settings.
Resetting Edge to its default settings can resolve issues caused by misconfigurations.
- Open Microsoft Edge and Go to “Settings” in the menu.
- Select “Reset settings” then Click on “Restore settings to their default values.”
- Alternatively, on the address bar type edge://settings/resetProfileSettings and press enter key.
- A confirmation dialog will appear. Read the information and understand that resetting will remove your extensions and clear browsing data.
- Click on “Reset” to initiate the process.
Check for malware and viruses
Malware or viruses can impact browser performance. Run a full system scan with updated antivirus or antimalware can help improve the performance of Microsoft Edge and address any potential security issues that might be affecting its speed and responsiveness.
Windows Security is a built-in security feature in Windows 10 and Windows 11 that provides various tools and functions to protect your computer, including antivirus and antimalware capabilities.
Install a reputable antivirus or antimalware software if you don’t already have one. There are many reliable options available, such as Windows Defender, Malwarebytes, Avast, or Bitdefender.
Update the antivirus or antimalware definitions to ensure you have the latest virus signatures and protection.
Adjust hardware acceleration
Hardware acceleration can improve browser performance, but it may also cause compatibility issues or conflicts with specific hardware configurations, leading to slow performance or browser crashes.
To adjust hardware acceleration:
Go to “Settings” in Microsoft Edge, select “System,” and toggle the “Use hardware acceleration when available” option.
- If hardware acceleration is currently enabled, try disabling it by toggling the switch off.
- If hardware acceleration is currently disabled, you can try enabling it by toggling the switch on.
Repair Corrupted System Files
Sometimes Corrupted system files can cause stability problems, application errors, and sluggish performance. Repairing corrupted system files can indeed help improve the performance of Microsoft Edge and resolve various issues that may be affecting the browser’s functionality.
You can run a built-in system file checker utility that scans for and replaces corrupted system files with the original, uncorrupted versions from the Windows system file cache.
Also if SFC Scan Results found some corrupted files but were unable to repair them then run DISM command to repair the System image and enable SFC to do its job. After that Restart Windows and check Edge browser Related problems are resolved.
Another thing you can try is to reset your network settings altogether.
Open Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Status. Scroll to the bottom then click Network reset.
Also, Try to Disable Proxy Settings from Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy. Toggle off “Automatically detect settings and Use a proxy server.” Scroll down, click Save then restart your computer.
If your computer’s hardware is outdated or doesn’t meet the recommended specifications for Windows 11, consider upgrading components such as RAM, CPU, or storage to improve overall system performance.
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