Info If you're wondering why Microsoft Edge is running again and you've nailed it several times before

[mikeymikec]

Off the top of my head:
Nailing 1: Edge settings > System & Performance > System > Disable Start-up boost and 'continue running background extensions and apps when Edge is closed'.
Nailing 2: Uninstall the Windows Web Experience Pack (apparently: winget uninstall "windows web experience pack"): kills widgets and ensures that no more edge-type processes are running in relation to widgets.

Today I spotted Microsoft Edge running in the background yet again, and I noticed another process with an Edge logo called 'Game Assist'. Go into Settings > Apps > Installed Apps and remove 'Game Assist'.

 

[jamesdsimone]

I renamed the exe file so it wouldn't run and Microcrap installed another copy. That is the definition of malware.

 

[mikeymikec]

I renamed the exe file so it wouldn't run and Microcrap installed another copy. That is the definition of malware.

Yep, this is why I don't go after hard-line solutions, e.g. I imagine that one can uninstall Edge via PowerShell but I'm sure MS will just reinstall it.

Come to think of it, Edge used to be listed in Control Panel > Programs & Features, I might have a poke around in there on my Win11 install later, purely out of curiousity

 

[jamesdsimone]

I deleted the exe and moved everything into a different subfolder. We'll see what that does.

 

[mikeymikec]

I deleted the exe and moved everything into a different subfolder. We'll see what that does.

Remove the privs from the original folder

 

[jamesdsimone]

So far no Microsoft Edge.

 

[mikeymikec]

'Game Assist' returned 4 days after I uninstalled it, apparently.

On both occasions that I encountered this, I had just quit StarCraft 2 and found an Edge window open on the desktop for no apparent reason, which caused me to start digging.

I'm trying the instructions here this time:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows11/comments/1l2lma7/do_you_also_have_edge_game_assist_on_your_machine

I'm wondering about logging the time I spend each month (on my computer only) tracking down and attempting to disable the latest Win11 weirdness.

 

[jamesdsimone]

'Game Assist' returned 4 days after I uninstalled it, apparently.

On both occasions that I encountered this, I had just quit StarCraft 2 and found an Edge window open on the desktop for no apparent reason, which caused me to start digging.

I'm trying the instructions here this time:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows11/comments/1l2lma7/do_you_also_have_edge_game_assist_on_your_machine

I'm wondering about logging the time I spend each month (on my computer only) tracking down and attempting to disable the latest Win11 weirdness.

As I said, that is the very definition of malware. Can you use a 3rd party firewall and block microsoft?