Edge keeps running in the Background

Hi Alexander,

it seems to go round and round ... with different people having different results.

So, here is it is with me and what works for me / what I compromised to.

• Same version as yours / latest
• I tried the Google variant. But that is only two changes in Edge settings...it's NOT switching to Google/still using Edge ... I like Edge too and want to keep it. (settings > Privacy, search ... > at the very bottom: Address bar and Search > set search engine to Google and search on new tabs (just below) to address bar.

This solved the annoying gossip under the search bar. Not sure though if it has any influence on Running in the background.

• Edge running in the background: there are several hacks in the registry and in Group Editor to stop Copilot... too much to explain. (only do registry changes if you know what you are doing!! / make a registry backup)
• In settings: ? sidebar> turn off everything. But before turning off "allow sidebar apps to show notifications" turn off the single items below.
• It seems that with the new version, the Addressbar to Google and some / all the hack that I did, no more Edge running in the backgroud.

However, I don't like to have anything Google going on and I stick with "inPrivate" as default ... works / both issues gone ... no gossip ... no background running.

BTW: I never had any problems (like some had with slowing down, etc) when Edge kept running in the background.

It did not affect performance at all ... I would have never known if Ccleaner didn't tell me and then forced Edge to close. It just bugged me - in principle.

Good Luck

I'm now on the production release of Version 122.0.2365.59 (official build) (64-bit). I turned on the settings located in the copilot sidebar just to see how it handles performance and running in the background. I've seen it still run in the background even when the copilot sidebar settings are off. It does appear to be less frequent, which is fine. I also run in private mode, and like you, I have no issues with the background problem. I did notice one post about using Google (I assume Chrome) versus Edge. I have Firefox, which I use occasionally. I use Firefox all the time on Linux machines, so that is my alternative browser. I still prefer using Edge (for now anyway). Thank you for your dedication here, Klaus. Have a great day (and everyone else).

Hi Rodro,

thanks, but no thanks ... really not an answer at all.

I understand that it is slightly besides the original "Edge runs in the background" topic, but it was always part of it, as I originally started the thread. They are very much connected, especially since "InPrivate" mode solves both problems at the same time.

As the registry tweak supposed to eliminated copilot/sidebar... and seems to work, I think the other problem - the gossip drop-down - is an equal problem in the whole Win11 Edge performance issue. (btw, none of this in Win10).

So, I haven't had enough time to definitely confirm that the registry tweak ends background-running, your suggestion to set Edge to Google and Address Bar definitely ends the gossip list - good thing! Question, though, is: do I want to be associated with Google?

In the end there is still the "InPrivate" option, which works as well, without switching to Google.

Anyhow, I appreciate learning new things about Edge settings and the Google/address bar option. If Edge background processes really stop, I'll still have to decide which way to go to get rid of gossip, as "InPrivate" already does.

Thank you.

You're welcome, mate. I'm glad to help! The workaround is also working flawlessly on my end. :)

Hi Rodro,

yes - it's not about Edge running in the background. My actual question is about this gossip drop down list under the search bar.

Could you please explain this again?

I have set everything in page settings (gear icon) to NOT show anything ... favourites / adds, weather, etc. as you can see with my straight forward gray background. But the Gossip under search bar still appears ...???!!!

Now-in Settings / privacy your screenshot shows: set to Google...and to Adress bar.

I tried it and it only works if set to 'Address bar' ... not when left to 'search bar'.

Set to 'search bar' produces the same gossip list.

Could you please confirm that this is the only way.

BTW - when using "InPrivate", after typing in a search, it opens directly to the Bing page with links.

When in normal mode, and set to Google and Address bar, as in your suggestion, it first produces a drop-down list, then, after picking one, proceeds to Google page with links.

I don't like it too much but it seems to be the only way to avoid the gossip list ... using Google ... set to 'address bar'

is this correct?

Thanks for a follow up comment, if you don't mind