Windows users have reported that the Microsoft Edge shortcut keeps popping up on the desktop even after removing it. Sometimes, it just reappears after a restart, no matter what you do. If you’re stuck seeing that icon and it’s bugging you, here are a few tricks that actually work — not just guesses. Each fix targets a specific cause: whether Edge is auto-creating the shortcut, running in the background, or scheduled to do so by system tasks. Doing these should keep that shortcut from reinstating itself again and again.
How to Fix the Persistent Microsoft Edge Shortcut in Windows
Method 1: Add a Registry Lock to Stop Shortcut Creation
This is a tried-and-true — kind of weird, but editing the registry can block Edge from creating the desktop icon. It’s especially useful if Edge is set to update or install itself in a way that automatically adds shortcuts. Why it helps? Because inside the registry, you can set policies that tell Edge not to bother with desktop icons anymore. When this works, the shortcut game stops, and Windows won’t try to add that icon back again.
Because Windows registry editing can be risky if done wrong, make sure to back up your registry first. On some setups, this tweak might need a restart to take effect — or even a reboot after you double-click the reg file.
- First, right-click on your desktop and choose New > Text Document. Then paste this content —
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate] "CreateDesktopShortcutDefault"=dword:00000000 "RemoveDesktopShortcutDefault"=dword:00000001 On some machines, this tweak isn’t perfect the first time, or it stops working after updates. But doing a quick reboot after applying often helps lock it in.
Method 2: Remove Edge as Your Default Browser
Here’s one that’s kinda obvious, but worth trying — especially if Edge is forcing itself on you because it’s the default. When you set another browser as default, Edge generally gets less system permission to do background stuff and create shortcuts. Plus, if Edge isn’t the default, the system might not bother to keep that shortcut alive.
Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps. Use the search bar to find your favorite browser, then click Set default for it. Just remember, this may not immediately stop the shortcut from reappearing if some process has already scheduled it, but it’s a good step in the right direction.
Method 3: Disable Edge from Launching at Startup
If you notice that Edge keeps coming back even after cleanup, it might be because it’s set to run at startup. Disabling it from the Task Manager’s Startup tab often helps. This is especially true if the shortcut reappears immediately after reboot.
- Hit Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Switch to Startup (tab on the left).
- Find msedge.exe in the list, right-click, then choose Disable.
This should stop Edge from running automatically during boot, which in turn prevents the shortcut from coming back after a restart. On some machines, this process might need a reboot before the change takes effect.
Method 4: Turn Off Edge’s Scheduled Tasks
Microsoft sometimes schedules background tasks to check for updates or create shortcuts, and these snippets of automation are often behind the persistent icon. Accessing Windows Task Scheduler lets you stop these tasks, which often resets the shortcut creation process.
- Search for Task Scheduler in Windows search and open it.
- Navigate to Task Scheduler Library in the left pane.
- Look for and right-click on MicrosoftEdgeUpdateTaskMachineCore — select Disable.
- Do the same for MicrosoftEdgeUpdateTaskMachineUA.
This might feel like overkill, but disabling these prevents Edge update routines from firing off and creating shortcuts — at least temporarily. On some systems, they might come back after updates, so keep an eye on it.
Method 5: Tweak Local Group Policy Settings
If you’re using Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise, the Local Group Policy Editor can help silence Edge’s auto-launch behaviors. It’s kinda hidden, but worth a shot if nothing else has worked.
- Type gpedit.msc into Windows search and open it.
- Navigate to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Edge.
- Find and double-click on Allow Microsoft Edge to pre-launch at Windows startup, when the system is idle, and each time Microsoft Edge is closed.
- Select Disabled and hit Apply.
This stops some pre-launch and background behaviors that might be causing the shortcut to pop up. For better or worse, it’s a way to block Edge from jumping into life without notice.
Method 6: Update Windows (Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary)
Sometimes, those weird bugs or background glitches are fixed with a simple Windows update. Because, hey, faster than digging into settings, updating usually brings some bug fixes and system patches that might just kill that annoying shortcut problem.
Go to Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates. Install any available updates and restart your PC. Doing this can wipe out the weird glitches that cause the shortcut to magic back into existence.
Getting that shortcut to stay gone can be frustrating — Windows always seems to find a way, but these steps are proven enough that they should help. Sometimes it’s just about applying the right tweak, then crossing fingers that it sticks.
Summary
- Registry edits to block shortcut creation
- Remove Edge as default browser
- Disable Edge from starting up with Windows
- Stop scheduled update tasks for Edge
- Adjust group policies to prevent pre-launch
- Keep Windows updated — because bugs happen
Wrap-up
Hopefully, these tips help cut down on the annoying reappearing Edge desktop shortcut. It’s kind of a hassle because Windows doesn’t always play nicely with its own updates or background tasks, but applying these fixes should cut down the fuss. Not every fix works perfectly on every machine — sometimes you gotta combine a couple of these methods — but at least one of them should make your life a bit easier. Fingers crossed this helps someone stop that persistent icon from popping back up.