GoKawiilThe latest beta version of the Microsoft Edge browser may automatically open every time you start your Windows 11 PC, without explicit permission, Windows Central reports. The change could frustrate users, something the browser can't afford. Edge lost about a quarter of its user base in 2025 and now holds roughly 13% market share.
The Edge browser seems to appear unexpectedly at startup, accompanied by a new message.
"Edge now launches when you sign into Windows, so it's ready when you want to browse. Change this anytime in Settings," the new banner says, according to screenshots shown on Windows Central.
Test versions indicate you'll have to opt out of this Edge auto-launch if you want it to stop. Windows Central
A representative from Microsoft did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
You can't avoid the original pop-up, but if you don't do anything about it, Edge will keep appearing. To make it stop, Windows Central reports you can select the "No Thanks" option when the pop-up appears, or navigate to settings to turn off the latest Edge attempts.
This isn't the first time this auto-launch Edge has been spotted in the wild. Redditors have been reporting a similar situation for months, and some have said they can't disable it at all. It's not clear whether the auto-launch stops when you select another browser as your default. However, Windows Central reported that the Edge notification didn't disappear when they tried this.
Not everyone testing the latest version of Edge reports that this feature is live, so it may be a slow rollout or limited to certain user groups for now.