Microsoft Edge is supposed to be quick, but sometimes something bogs it down. Don’t fret, however; our guide will help you fix that.
Windows 10 and 11 users know how much Microsoft is pushing Edge to be everyone's default browser. If you’re one of those who made the switch, the experience may not be as different from the ubiquitous Google Chrome browser. After all, Edge is based on Chromium, so it behaves similarly to Chrome.
The latest Microsoft Edge comes with many new features such as sleep tabs, tab groups, and more that can help with productivity and efficiency. However, these updates can sometimes slow down Edge. If you are experiencing this, follow the fixes below to speed your browser up.
Important reminder: Before doing any troubleshooting steps below, make sure that your internet connection works properly. Often, an intermittent connection can slow down your browser. If you’ve established that there are no network-related issues, you can proceed.
When we say relaunch, we don’t just mean close the browser and open it again. Most times, exiting a program doesn’t completely stop it from running. They’re just left running in the background. To ensure that the program is completely closed, you need to stop any processes related to it on your Task Manager. Here’s how:
Related: How to Use Efficiency Mode in Microsoft Edge
Outdated programs such as Microsoft Edge can lead to a slow user experience. This is because developers introduced new updates to address several bugs and issues. If you don’t update it, the problems present on the app will stay and hamper your usage. That’s why whenever a new update comes in, install them when you can. Follow the steps below to update your Microsoft Edge:
Unfortunately, Microsoft Edge’s new tab page includes a lot of content that can consume a lot of resources. Apart from an animated background, it also has Microsoft news, weather widget, traffic updates, and more. Loading all of them in the background can make your browser feel slow, especially if your computer doesn’t have much memory left on it.
Related: Microsoft Edge vs. Firefox: Which Browser Wins?Thankfully, you have the option to disable this feature, so you can have a better browsing experience. Follow the steps below:
Microsoft Edge is big on privacy. That’s why it has a built-in feature that prevents companies from collecting your information when browsing. This feature comes in three different settings, and you can choose how you want to be protected.
While this is an excellent feature, it can sometimes slow down the browser, especially if you choose the Strict setting. This is because it blocks most trackers from all sites you visit, which can sometimes stop other parts of the pages to work. This can lead to slow loading times and glitches. To fix this, you need to change the tracking prevention setting. Here’s how:
The Balanced setting still protects your privacy like the Strict option. However, it doesn't stop parts of some sites from working. You may still see ads on your browser, but it’s much better than turning this feature off completely.
Related: The Top Ad Blockers for Edge, Chrome, and Firefox
Sometimes, cookies and cache cause a slow Microsoft Edge on Windows 10 and 11. If the browser has a lot of them, it can affect its speed. Luckily, the fix is easy. You only need to delete them and you’re good to go. However, deleting the data can log you out of some websites you frequently visit. If this is the case, don’t panic. All you need to do is to log in again.
Follow the steps below to clear cache and cookies from your Edge browser:
Since you can use all Chromium extensions on Edge, it can be tempting to install many of them on your browser. However, some of them can cause your app to slow down, especially if it’s outdated or not supported anymore. Unfortunately, there’s no way for you to check which extension might cause the issue. Here’s to manually check which extension is slowing down your browser:
Related: Are Browser Extensions Really Safe?
Microsoft Edge has improved significantly since it was first introduced. That’s why more and more users are now using this app as their default browser. Like other browsers, it can sometimes experience issues that can affect your experience. However, don’t be discouraged. There are various fixes to different issues you encounter on Edge. You just need to be patient, and you’ll be surprised what Edge can do for you.
Are you stuck on Chrome? Now you can do more with these novel features on Microsoft Edge.
Kim is a technical writer who is passionate about animal welfare and the environment. A writer by day and a reader at night, she takes pleasure in acquiring new knowledge. She is an experienced researcher and advertising executive. In an alternate universe, she is a professional model.
Join our newsletter for tech tips, reviews, free ebooks, and exclusive deals!

source