WHY am I being FORCED to deal with Microsoft edge?

So a person who tell you the truth makes them a troll, then what do we call someone who is repeatedly told various ways to try to fix their issues with Edge and don't even try?

It's too bad you aren't aware that the browser is integrated into the O/S. Android, MacOS, iOS, and Windows operating systems. There has to be at least one.

If you don't want to give Microsoft information then Windows isn't for you. Apple will be happy to take your information, or even Google. About your only choice left is some of the Linux operating systems. But be warry, even some of them gather information about you.

And of course you have a choice at accepting or not accepting an agreement so that won't wash. You purchased or was given a Windows computer. Of course you will have to accept the terms. That's the way it has been for a very long time so you can't use that excuse.

You of course are welcome to try a suit against Microsoft, but in the meantime you have to accept what is legitimate for companies to do today, not some "I wish" therefor it is real.

Bonne chance!

I am technically competent.  

{your pointless and non-helpful insult removed}

I want a way to uninstall Edge.

Have you checked your Notification & Actions settings for Windows?

Edge is the default browser for Windows which there has to be at least one. Trying to remove it is likely going to cause more issues down the road that you think it will solve in the short term.

What Solae Eclipse Returns is saying is true Most-not all- of these issues could be avoided if people followed these and other safe computing habits. And above all, make sure you have a current up-to-date backup. Anyone that doesn't is playing Russian Roulette.

I hope this helps, and if you need any further assistance, please post, and we will be glad to assist you.

"When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe." John Muir

If Microsoft have installed something on a privately owned computer, without the owner's permission, isn't this equivalent to hacking?  

Yes, I suppose it could be.

Are Microsoft committing an offence? 

No, because their action is covered by the licence agreement you entered into to allow you to use Windows. To see it, press Windows key + Rto open a Run box, type winver and press Enter. You should see there a link to the agreement you have with Microsoft. Have a look at §6. 

That's how you gave 'owner's permission' to update the software covered by the agreement.

It's uncontrollable and therefore dangerous. 

In what way do you think it's uncontrollable? If you choose to use it, the configuration options are legion. If you choose not to use it, you need never see it again* (until you need it to enable you to download a different browser, that is).

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*  Caveat: please see the post immediately preceding yours. Windows itself also has myriad configuration options, so a virgin installation will have the default settings. These include the default web browser, which is Edge. If you choose to use a different browser and set it as the default, that user choice will be respected. If a program comes along and alters that choice, Windows will stop it and revert to its default. The choice has to be yours, not some (interfering and potentially malicious) application's.

You did give permission when you agreed to the terms and conditions of your license at the time of install of Windows 10. You own your computer but, Microsoft owns Windows 10 and the right to distribute ,when, where, and how they deem best.