Clear browsing data and cache to remove accumulated files slowing down Edge. 2. Disable or remove unnecessary extensions, especially outdated or resource-heavy ones, and test performance in InPrivate mode. 3. Adjust performance settings by enabling "Use less memory when inactive" and "Efficiency mode," and disable preload pages or animations if needed. 4. Update both Microsoft Edge and Windows 10 to ensure compatibility and optimal performance, with Windows 10 version 20H2 or later recommended. 5. Reset Edge to default settings to clear custom configurations and disable extensions without losing bookmarks or passwords. 6. Check for conflicting software like third-party antivirus or firewall tools that may interfere with Edge and consider switching to Windows Defender. 7. Toggle hardware acceleration off in settings to test if GPU-related issues are causing slowdowns, especially with outdated graphics drivers. 8. As a last resort, reinstall Microsoft Edge via PowerShell to reset the app to a clean state without affecting user data. Most Edge slowdowns on Windows 10 are caused by external factors rather than the browser itself, and following these steps in order typically resolves the issue completely.

If you're experiencing Microsoft Edge running slow on Windows 10, you're not alone — it's a common issue that can stem from various causes like accumulated cache, extensions, outdated software, or system-level conflicts. Here’s a practical breakdown of what might be causing the slowdown and how to fix it.

1. Clear Browsing Data and Cache

Over time, Edge accumulates cookies, cached files, and browsing history that can slow it down.

How to fix:

• Open Edge.
• Click the three dots (?) in the top-right corner.
• Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services.
• Under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear.
• Select Cached images and files, Cookies and other site data, and Browsing history.
• Click Clear now.

Pro tip: Enable "Always clear this when I close the browser" for cache and cookies to prevent future buildup.

2. Disable or Remove Unnecessary Extensions

Extensions can significantly impact performance, especially if they run in the background.

What to do:

• In Edge, go to Settings > Extensions.
• Review installed extensions — disable or remove any you don’t use.
• Pay attention to ad blockers, password managers, or toolbars that may be outdated.

Try running Edge in InPrivate mode (Ctrl Shift N), which disables extensions by default. If it’s faster there, an extension is likely the culprit.

3. Turn Off Performance-Heavy Settings

Edge has some visual features that look nice but can slow things down on older or low-end machines.

Adjust these:

• Go to Settings > System and performance.
• Turn on "Use less memory when inactive".
• Toggle on "Efficiency mode" (if available).
• Optionally, disable "Preload pages for faster browsing" if you suspect it’s using too many resources.

Also, under Appearance, disable animations or background themes if you're on a slower PC.

4. Update Edge and Windows 10

An outdated browser or OS can cause compatibility and performance issues.

Check for updates:

• For Edge: Go to Settings > About Microsoft Edge — it will auto-check and update.
• For Windows 10: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.

Make sure you're on at least Windows 10 version 20H2 or later for optimal Edge performance.

5. Reset Edge to Default Settings

If the above doesn’t help, reset Edge entirely.

Steps:

• Go to Settings > Reset settings.
• Click Restore settings to their default values.
• Confirm with Reset.

This clears custom settings, disables extensions, and resets startup pages, search engine, and pinned tabs — but won’t delete saved passwords or bookmarks.

6. Check for Conflicting Software

Antivirus, firewalls, or other third-party security tools can interfere with Edge.

• Temporarily disable your antivirus or firewall and test Edge speed.
• Look for software like McAfee, Norton, or older toolbars — these often inject into browsers and slow them down.
• Consider switching to Windows Defender, which is lightweight and well-integrated.

7. Hardware Acceleration Issues

Sometimes, Edge’s use of GPU acceleration can backfire on certain systems.

Try toggling it:

• Go to Settings > System and performance.
• Find "Use hardware acceleration when available".
• Turn it off, then restart Edge.
• Test performance. If better, leave it off. If worse, turn it back on.

This setting depends on your graphics drivers — outdated GPU drivers can make hardware acceleration problematic.

8. Reinstall Microsoft Edge (Last Resort)

If Edge is still slow, you can reinstall it via PowerShell (yes, even though it's built-in).

Reinstall steps:

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator.
2. Type:

   Get-AppxPackage -allusers Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

3. Press Enter — this re-registers Edge.

Note: This won’t affect your data, but it resets the app to a clean state.

Final Thoughts

Edge running slow on Windows 10 is usually fixable without drastic measures. Start with clearing cache and disabling extensions — that solves the issue 70% of the time. If not, work through updates, settings, and potential software conflicts.

Most of these fixes are quick and don’t require technical expertise. Give them a try in order, and you should see a noticeable improvement.

Basically, it's not Edge itself that's slow — it's usually the setup around it.

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