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.

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.

StartupBoostEnabled and BackgroundModeEnabled: stop Microsoft Edge running in the background

Frost LIVEDebloatProUndo: YesUpdated Oct 8, 2026View as Markdown

Short answer

Updated Oct 8, 2026

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

Stop Edge Running in the BackgroundPRO

Registry

HKLMSOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge

StartupBoostEnabledYour previous value0

What the switch writes. Your current value may differ. 1 more change below.

What it does

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, and when it hurts

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

Exactly what the switch changes, read from the app's source. Switching it off is what the app writes when you turn the tweak off again.

Registry values the switch writes.
Key and value	With the tweak	Switching it off
HKLMSOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\EdgeStartupBoostEnabled	0	Your previous valueSaved before the change, or deleted if there was none.
HKLMSOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\EdgeBackgroundModeEnabled	0	Your previous valueSaved before the change, or deleted if there was none.

From the app's source (pack_extra.hpp), app 2.0.0, checked Oct 8, 2026.

The same change by hand

You do not need the app for this one. These commands make the changes from the table above. Run them in a Command Prompt opened as administrator, and make a restore point first.

Make the change · CMD

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 · CMD

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

How to undo it

In the app: Yes

Switching it off puts back exactly what was there before, value for value.

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.

Changing several settings at once? The app's Make a restore point button, on every plan, makes a Windows restore point before you start.

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.

In the app