---
title: "StartupBoostEnabled and BackgroundModeEnabled: stop Microsoft Edge running in the background"
description: "Edge preloads itself at sign-in (startup boost) and keeps running after you close it so extensions and notifications continue."
url: https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/stop-edge-running-in-background
author: Frost LIVE, Founder of Frozen Tweaks
published: 2026-10-08
updated: 2026-10-08
category: "Debloat"
source: Frozen Tweaks (https://frozentweaks.com)
---

# StartupBoostEnabled and BackgroundModeEnabled: stop Microsoft Edge running in the background

**Short answer:** Edge preloads itself at sign-in (startup boost) and keeps running after you close it so extensions and notifications continue. The StartupBoostEnabled and BackgroundModeEnabled policies set to 0 switch both off. In the registry it sets StartupBoostEnabled to 0 under HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge, and 1 more value.

## In the app

- Switch: Stop Edge Running in the Background (Debloat, Pro, Standard)
- Undo: Yes. Switching it off puts back exactly what was there before, value for value.
- Catalog row: https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks#t-1139

## What it does

Edge preloads itself at sign-in (startup boost) and keeps running after you close it so extensions and notifications continue. The StartupBoostEnabled and BackgroundModeEnabled policies set to 0 switch both off.

In the app the switch is called "Stop Edge Running in the Background", described there as: Turns off Edge startup boost and background mode, so Edge is not loaded before you open it.

## When it helps

- Freeing the memory and processor time Edge's hidden processes use, on every boot.

## When it hurts

- Edge opens a little more slowly, and its notifications only arrive while it is open.
- Edge shows both settings as 'managed by your organization'.

## What it writes

Read from the app's source. "Switching it off" is what the app writes when you turn the tweak off again.

Registry values:

| Key | Value | With the tweak | Switching it off |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge` | `StartupBoostEnabled` | `0` | Your previous value (saved before the change, or deleted if there was none) |
| `HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge` | `BackgroundModeEnabled` | `0` | Your previous value (saved before the change, or deleted if there was none) |

Source: Tweaks/pack_extra.hpp in the app's source, app 2.0.0, checked 2026-10-08.

## The same change by hand

Run in a Command Prompt opened as administrator. Make a restore point first.

```bat
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge" /v "StartupBoostEnabled" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge" /v "BackgroundModeEnabled" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
```

See what it is set to now:

```bat
reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge" /v "StartupBoostEnabled"
```

## How to undo it

Switch the tweak off in Frozen Tweaks. The app saved what each value was before the change and writes exactly that back, or removes the value if it did not exist.

## Verdict

Recommended for anyone who does not use Edge as their main browser.

## Questions

### What does the "Stop Edge Running in the Background" tweak change in Windows?

In the registry it sets StartupBoostEnabled to 0 under HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge, and 1 more value. The full list is in the table on this page, read from the app's source.

### Is "Stop Edge Running in the Background" safe to switch on?

Recommended for anyone who does not use Edge as their main browser. The main cost: Edge opens a little more slowly, and its notifications only arrive while it is open.

### How do I undo it?

Switch the tweak off in Frozen Tweaks. Switching it off puts back exactly what was there before, value for value.

### Is "Stop Edge Running in the Background" free in Frozen Tweaks?

It is part of Frozen Pro and Elite. You can also make the change by hand with the values on this page.

## Related guides

- [Low-End PC Gaming Optimization: Getting Playable Frame Rates](https://frozentweaks.com/guides/low-end-pc-gaming-optimization)

## More tweak explainers

- [Chrome background mode](https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/stop-chrome-running-in-background)
- [Windows Ink Workspace](https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/disable-windows-ink-workspace)
- [Task View button](https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/hide-task-view-button)

---
Written by Frost LIVE, founder of Frozen Tweaks. Canonical version: https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/stop-edge-running-in-background