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Remove Edge shortcuts

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.
  • Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
  • Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
  • Impact: HighSystem Functionality Loss Risk: High
    This action improves privacy with high impact when you run the recommended script.
  • Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
  • Fully reversible

    You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.

    The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview​

This script removes Microsoft Edge shortcuts from specific locations on your computer, enhancing the privacy and integrity of your system.

When installed, Microsoft Edge, places shortcuts in various locations on your computer. Even after uninstalling the Edge browser, some of these shortcuts may not be removed (tested since ≥ Edge v117). This script ensures the removal of these residual shortcuts.

These shortcuts can serve as access points for malicious entities, potentially compromising your computer's security and privacy. By deleting these shortcuts, the script helps in reducing these vulnerabilities, thus contributing to a more secure and private computing environment.

Besides contributing to privacy and security, removing these unused shortcuts also contributes to a cleaner and more organized computer system, providing an enhanced user experience.

The script specifically targets and removes shortcuts from the following paths, which have been tested and verified to exist on default installations of Windows since Windows 10 22H2 and Windows 11 22H2:

PathWindows 11Windows 10
%PROGRAMDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Microsoft Edge.lnk✅ Exists✅ Exists
%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Microsoft Edge.lnk✅ Exists✅ Exists
%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar\Microsoft Edge.lnk✅ Exists✅ Exists
%PUBLIC%\Desktop\Microsoft Edge.lnk✅ Exists✅ Exists
%SYSTEMROOT%\System32\config\systemprofile\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Microsoft Edge.lnk✅ Exists✅ Exists
%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\Microsoft Edge.lnk❌ Missing❌ Missing
Not Advised

This script should only be used by advanced users.

This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality.

Consider creating a system restore point before doing any changes.

Apply Now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Easy-to-apply
  • Free
  • Open-source
Help

How to apply or restore "Remove Edge shortcuts" using script​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 5 instructions
  1. 1

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  2. 2

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  3. 3

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  4. 4

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  5. 5

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

Apply with privacy.sexy​

Guided, automated application with safety checks
  • Recommended for most users
  • Includes safety checks
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Remove Edge shortcuts" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the script name: Remove Edge shortcuts
    2. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  3. 3

    Run

    Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

    This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Run commands​

Copy and run commands manually Requires technical knowledge
Apply changes
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$shortcuts = @(; @{ Revert = $True;  Path = "^""$env:ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Microsoft Edge.lnk"^""; }; @{ Revert = $True;  Path = "^""$env:AppData\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Microsoft Edge.lnk"^""; }; @{ Revert = $True;  Path = "^""$env:AppData\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar\Microsoft Edge.lnk"^""; }; @{ Revert = $True;  Path = "^""$env:Public\Desktop\Microsoft Edge.lnk"^""; }; @{ Revert = $True;  Path = "^""$env:SystemRoot\System32\config\systemprofile\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Microsoft Edge.lnk"^""; }; @{ Revert = $False; Path = "^""$env:UserProfile\Desktop\Microsoft Edge.lnk"^""; }; ); foreach ($shortcut in $shortcuts) { if (-Not (Test-Path $shortcut.Path)) { Write-Host "^""Skipping, shortcut does not exist: `"^""$($shortcut.Path)`"^""."^""; continue; }; try { Remove-Item -Path $shortcut.Path -Force -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Output "^""Successfully removed shortcut: `"^""$($shortcut.Path)`"^""."^""; } catch { Write-Error "^""Encountered an issue while attempting to remove shortcut at: `"^""$($shortcut.Path)`"^""."^""; }; }"
Help

How to apply or restore "Remove Edge shortcuts" using commands​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Command Prompt
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 3 instructions
 View step-by-step guide with screenshots
  1. 1

    Open Command Prompt

    Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
  2. 2

    Copy code

    Copy the code:
    Copy Apply Code Copy Revert Code
  3. 3

    Paste & run

    Paste the commands into Command Prompt and press Enter to run.

    Some changes require a system restart to take effect

Similar Guides​

Wider Goal​

Guides below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.
These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.
This category automates the uninstallation of Microsoft Edge (also known as "Chromium Edge" or "New Edge"), the web browser that comes pre-installed with...

— Remove Edge

Same Goal​

Other guides in Remove Edge See settings that are in the same category as this guide.
Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.
Remove Edge associations
Remove Edge through official installer

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

Reviewed By​

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

  • Expert review by undergroundwires​

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks
    • Audited and verified using automated security tests

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments
    • Audited and verified using third-party security software

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and other potential privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process