How to Remove Adware from Edge: Step-by-Step Cleanup for Microsoft Edge Users

Adware in Microsoft Edge can change your homepage, fill tabs with pop-ups, and redirect searches without warning.

This guide explains how to remove adware from Edge and stop it from coming back.

What Adware Looks Like in Microsoft Edge

Adware is unwanted software that injects ads, trackers, or browser changes into your web experience.

In Microsoft Edge, it often appears as new toolbars, suspicious extensions, search engine hijacking, or frequent redirects to unfamiliar sites.

Common signs include:

• Ads appearing on pages that normally do not show them
• Unexpected redirects when you click links or search
• New extensions you do not recognize
• Changed startup pages or default search settings
• Slower browsing, higher CPU use, or excessive pop-ups

How Adware Gets Into Edge

Most adware is not installed directly through Edge itself.

It usually arrives through bundled software downloads, fake browser updates, deceptive ads, or malicious extensions from third-party sources.

On Windows, adware may also install companion programs that keep restoring browser changes even after you reset Edge.

That is why effective cleanup usually requires both browser-level and system-level removal.

How to Remove Adware from Edge

Remove suspicious Edge extensions

Start with the browser because extensions are a common source of adware behavior.

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Select the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
3. Go to Extensions and then Manage extensions.
4. Look for anything unfamiliar, recently added, or unrelated to your browsing needs.
5. Click Remove on suspicious extensions.

If you are unsure about an extension, search the publisher name and permissions before keeping it.

Adware often uses vague names and requests broad access to your browsing data.

Check Edge startup and homepage settings

Adware commonly changes what opens when Edge launches.

1. Open Edge settings from the three-dot menu.
2. Go to Start, home, and new tabs.
3. Remove any unfamiliar startup pages.
4. Set your preferred homepage and new tab behavior.

Also review the Cookies and site permissions and Privacy, search, and services sections if you notice repeated redirects or unusual behavior.

Reset Edge search engine settings

Search hijacking is one of the most common adware symptoms.

To fix it, restore your default search provider.

1. Open Settings in Edge.
2. Select Privacy, search, and services.
3. Scroll to Address bar and search.
4. Choose a trusted default search engine, such as Bing, Google, or another provider you use intentionally.

If a suspicious search engine keeps reappearing, that usually means a browser extension or a Windows-installed app is restoring the change.

Clear browsing data and site permissions

Clearing stored data helps remove tracking cookies, session artifacts, and site permissions adware may have abused.

1. Go to Settings in Edge.
2. Select Privacy, search, and services.
3. Under Clear browsing data, choose Choose what to clear.
4. Remove cached files, cookies, and browsing history as needed.

You can also review Site permissions for pop-ups, notifications, and redirects.

Remove any site that you did not intentionally allow.

Reset Edge to default settings

If the browser still behaves strangely, use Edge’s reset feature to restore core settings without reinstalling the browser.

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Reset settings.
3. Select Restore settings to their default values.
4. Confirm the reset.

This step disables most extensions and returns startup, search, and appearance settings to default values.

It does not remove malware from your Windows system, so continue with a full cleanup if needed.

Remove Adware from Windows If Edge Changes Keep Returning

If adware keeps reappearing after you clean Edge, there is likely an unwanted application on your computer.

Use Windows to look for recent or suspicious programs.

Uninstall unfamiliar programs

1. Open Settings in Windows.
2. Go to Apps and then Installed apps.
3. Sort by install date if available.
4. Uninstall anything suspicious, especially software you do not remember installing.

Pay attention to free media players, download managers, coupon tools, or “optimizer” apps.

These are common adware delivery methods.

Run Microsoft Defender scan

Microsoft Defender can detect many adware-related threats and potentially unwanted applications.

1. Open Windows Security.
2. Select Virus & threat protection.
3. Run a Quick scan first.
4. If problems continue, run a Full scan.

For stubborn infections, consider Microsoft Defender Offline scan, which checks the system before most malicious processes can load.

Review browser and startup items

Adware often adds persistence through startup entries.

Check whether questionable programs launch automatically when Windows starts.

• Open Task Manager and review the Startup apps tab
• Disable items you do not recognize
• Look for apps with high startup impact and unfamiliar publishers

This step helps prevent adware from reopening browser tabs or resetting Edge settings after each reboot.

How to Prevent Adware from Returning

Once you remove the immediate problem, focus on prevention.

Most reinfections happen because users install bundled software or grant permissions too quickly.

• Download software only from official vendor websites or trusted stores
• Avoid “recommended” extras during installation unless you need them
• Review extension permissions before installing anything in Edge
• Keep Microsoft Edge and Windows updated
• Use Microsoft Defender and keep real-time protection on
• Decline browser notification requests from unfamiliar sites

Notification abuse is especially common.

Many deceptive websites use Edge’s permission prompts to flood users with unwanted ads long after the page is closed.

When a Factory Reset Is Worth Considering

In rare cases, adware-related issues persist because the system is heavily modified or multiple unwanted apps are installed.

If browser resets, scans, and uninstalls do not help, backing up files and performing a Windows reset may be the most efficient option.

Before taking that step, confirm that your important documents are saved and that you can reinstall essential applications.

For most users, however, removing suspicious extensions, resetting Edge, and cleaning Windows are enough to restore normal browsing.

Signs the Cleanup Worked

You will know the removal was successful when Edge behaves normally again and settings stay in place after a restart.

• No new tabs open unexpectedly
• Your preferred search engine remains selected
• Pop-ups and redirects stop
• Unrecognized extensions are gone
• System performance improves

If the browser still shows ad-heavy pages or resets its settings, repeat the system checks and scan for hidden adware-related apps.

Persistent browser changes usually point to a Windows-level program rather than Edge itself.