Edge keeps running in the Background

Hi all,

lots of posts - so I try to pack it all together. (unfortunately repeating one or the other)

• Edge update to 122 did NOT change anything
• the whole issue does NOT occur in Win10 machine ... seems to be only in Win11 with all the new "Big Brother" "helpers" that need to run in the background ... using Edge ... to "make your life easier" and to spy on you.
• so (in my humble opinion) it's not a bug but rather too many features in order to make everything Ai
• get rid of anything "copilot" "Outlook" "New Outlook" "Telemetry" "Teams" "OneDrive", Information Collection, etc., etc. in Settings ... and by the way, all can be accessed from the browser with your account sign-in / don't have to be enabled/installed on your machine.
• if not uninstalled, at least stop them in startup. You don't need anything to be listed at startup other that security.
• bombard Edge Feedback with your complaints
• Yes - and to repeat it again ... set Edge to "InPrivate", permanently (as default) ... no more running in the background!! at the same time it eliminates the stupid Hollywood gossip, sports and weather ads, etc., under the search bar. (unless somebody likes to start Edge / screen covered with garbage)

I feel for the ones who had actual slow-downs because of Edge running in the background ... personally never had that.

I actually only know about it because Ccleaner tells me so. One click and it shuts down Edge. Done! So, no need to go to Task Manager. But again ... with "InPrivate" mode ... problem solved.

Cheers

https://www.reddit.com/r/MicrosoftEdge/comments/1ac4ioa/a_workaroud_to_prevent_background_running_after/

Thank you, mate. Yes, finally, a proper workaround!

Looking at the name of the added Edge policy that stops the issue, we were likely right in pointing out that the problem was caused by Edge's new Sidebar/Copilot feature integration.

Also, credit to @Careless-Elevator768 and all we have been investigating and reporting this annoying "feature" or misbehavior since October 2023 till today.

There is no more need for InPrivate mode (by the way, you can already set up a clean with no gossip/weather/sports ads and bloated stuff Edge's new tab page via easy layout customization) or Windows 11's End Task feature for developers (I found it helpful anyway and will keep using it, though).

Here are the instructions from the linked Reddit post (with an extra reminder):

1. Turn off "Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed" and "Startup boost" Edge's settings (System and Performance > System).
2. Open regedit.exe (Registry Editor) - Running it as Administr is recommended.
3. Go to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge" (if this path does not exist, add a new Key with that name).
4. Add the following new DWORD (32-bit) Value: StandaloneHubsSidebarEnabled and set it to 0.
5. Reboot Windows or kill the task and restart MS Edge.
6. NOTE: "Managed by your organization" will be displayed below the Close Microsoft Edge option (Settings and more, Alt+F) and "Your browser is managed by your organization" mentioned at the top of the Edge's Settings tab/page.

I hope this helps. Enjoy!

Hi Rodro,

thanks for the information.

However, after doing the registry tweak and setting all possible appearance options at the welcome screen, there is still a drop-down list of gossip under the search bar.

Copilot is still asking for using it.

No large advertisements but under the search bar appears a dropdown list of gossip

That's how far I had it before without registry tweak.

Basically square one.

The linked workaround resolves the issue, the real topic here.

https://www.reddit.com/r/MicrosoftEdge/comments/1ac4ioa/a_workaroud_to_prevent_background_running_after/

The added Edge's policy will never be aimed at changing the New Tab layout. So, how to configure your Edge new tab page to your liking is a different topic.

Now, out of the topic issue, you are probably missing something when customizing and setting up your New Tab page layout. I have nothing displayed below the search box and no drop-down lists.

Here is my clean and customized new tab page:

Here is the new tab page with my layout settings displayed:

Now, if you do not like the Search box drop-down suggestions (Bing/Copilot powered, disable any Copilot Edge's setting, and via Windows GPO settings) use the following Edge settings:

Hi RodroG:

It worked.... I think. I used the "download" regedit from REDDIT (from your original post) to ZERO out the StandaloneHubSidebarEnabled.

Last night and today, my Windows 10 22H2 screen showed: total 'white out', 1 minute delay to close "X" in upper right corner, Task manager froze (basically acted like I was interrupted by some kind of updating or download). I also did the registry edit to my Windows 11 23H2 laptop last night and seemed good. Crossing my fingers because it's working beautifully right now. :) Thanx

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