Streamlining Your Browser: How to Declutter Microsoft Edge for Peak Performance

Ah, Microsoft Edge – the browser that’s like that overachieving cousin who just can’t stop adding lines to their resume. While Edge has certainly come a long way from its Internet Explorer days (may it rest in peace), sometimes it feels like it’s trying a bit too hard to impress us. Fear not, fellow internet voyagers! Today, we’re going to trim the fat and turn Edge into a lean, mean, browsing machine.

Taming the Wild Home Page

Remember when browser home pages were simple affairs? Pepperidge Farm remembers. These days, opening Edge can feel like walking into Times Square on New Year’s Eve. News! Ads! Weather! Stock tickers! It’s enough to make you want to crawl back into bed and browse by carrier pigeon instead.

Here’s how to reclaim your sanity:

• Open Edge and click that innocent-looking gear icon (it’s plotting against you, I swear).
• Turn off “Show Feed” – because who needs more doom-scrolling in their life?
• Disable “Show Promoted Links” – unless you enjoy being constantly reminded to buy things you don’t need.
• Say goodbye to “Show Weather” – you have windows for that (the glass kind, not the OS).
• Optional: Turn off the background if you prefer your browser vanilla-flavored.

Voila! Your home page is now as clean as your browser history after a questionable YouTube binge.

Stopping Edge from Being a Clingy Ex

Unlike that friend who knows when to leave the party, Edge likes to linger in the background, using up your precious system resources like a digital squatter. Here’s how to give it the boot:

Click the three dots (the “more” button, not a ellipsis appreciation society).

Navigate to Settings > System and Performance.

Turn off “Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed” and “Startup Boost.”

Now Edge will actually close when you tell it to. Revolutionary concept, I know.

Giving Edge a Makeover (Less is More)

Edge comes with more bells and whistles than a one-man band. Time to simplify:

Head to Settings > Appearance.

Choose “System Default” (or “Dark” if you’re feeling mysterious).

Disable the “Tab Actions Menu” – because who needs another menu to manage their 47 open tabs?

Turn off “Show Tab Preview on Hover” – unless you enjoy squinting at tiny previews.

Next, let’s declutter that toolbar. Disable buttons for features you don’t use, like Collections, Split screen, and that enigmatic “Browser essentials” button (what does it even do?). Keep only what you need – maybe Favorites, if you’re feeling nostalgic.

Taming Edge’s Overzealous Web Services

Edge offers more services than a five-star hotel. Time to downgrade to a cozy bed and breakfast:

Navigate to Settings > Privacy, Search, and Services.

In the Services section, turn off everything you don’t need.

Keep “Save screenshots of sites for history” if you enjoy reliving your browsing adventures.

Remember, less is more. Your browser doesn’t need to be your personal assistant, life coach, and therapist all rolled into one.

Conclusion: A Sleeker, Speedier Edge

By following these steps, you’ve transformed Edge from a cluttered digital playground into a streamlined browsing powerhouse. It’s like giving your browser a digital detox – minus the green juices and yoga retreats.

Remember, the goal is to make Edge work for you, not the other way around. With these tweaks, you can enjoy all the benefits of Microsoft’s flagship browser without feeling like you’re navigating through a digital Times Square.

So go forth and browse with your newly decluttered Edge. May your pages load quickly, your tabs stay organized, and your browsing history remain…well, that’s between you and your incognito mode.