Microsoft Edge Won't Open or Keeps Crashing? Repair It Without Losing Your Data

Microsoft Edge won’t launch, closes the moment it opens, or keeps freezing and crashing partway through a session.

Why: Usually a misbehaving extension, a half-finished update, a corrupt cache, or a damaged install — not a broken Windows. Work fastest-first: Repair keeps your data, so try it before the data-wiping Reset.

Fix 1: Restart and close what’s competing for memory

1. Restart your computer — another program may be interfering with Edge.
2. Reopen Edge. If it launches but crashes under load, close extra tabs, extensions, and apps to free memory.

Fix 2: Update Edge

A bad build crashes until the next update lands.

1. Open Settings and more (three dots) → Settings → About Microsoft Edge (or go to edge://settings/help).
2. Edge checks and downloads any update automatically; click Restart to apply.

If Edge crashes before you can reach this, skip to Fix 5 (Repair).

Fix 3: Clear browsing data

A corrupt cache reliably causes freezes and crashes.

1. Settings and more → History → Open history page, then Delete browsing data.
2. Set the range to All time, tick Browsing history and Cached images and files, and click Clear now.

Fix 4: Turn off extensions

A bad extension can crash Edge on startup.

1. Go to edge://extensions.
2. Toggle them all off, restart Edge, then re-enable one at a time to find the offender and remove it.

Fix 5: Repair Edge (keeps your data)

If Edge still won’t open or keeps crashing, repair the installation — this does not affect your browsing data or settings.

1. Close Edge completely (all windows, all user accounts) and make sure you have administrator rights.
2. Open Start → Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
3. Find Microsoft Edge, open its … menu (or Modify), select Yes if prompted, then click Repair.
4. Windows reinstalls/repairs Edge while keeping your favorites, passwords, and settings.

Fix 6: Reset Edge (last resort — clears settings)

If Repair doesn’t fix it, reset Edge to defaults. This removes your history, cookies, and changed settings (favorites and saved passwords are kept).

1. Open edge://settings/reset.
2. Click Restore settings to their default values → Reset.

FAQ

Does Repair delete my favorites or passwords? No — Repair leaves your browser data and settings untouched. It’s the safe first move. Only Reset (Fix 6) clears settings, and even then your favorites and passwords stay.

Edge crashes the instant it opens, so I can’t reach any menu. Skip straight to Repair (Fix 5) from Windows Settings — it doesn’t need Edge to be open.

Sources: Microsoft Support — What to do if Microsoft Edge isn’t working