Microsoft Edge Update (32 bit) process

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chiles toreados

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Hello,
I am sharpening up my W11 and I have on my list: Why is there process "Microsoft Edge Update (32 bit)" running in my background? I just checked through my components and did not see any names related to Edge. Its .exe rests with .exe "Copilot Update" in folder "\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate." Has anyone encountered this issue prior? I can post my preset or which files are necessary. I am exhausted and I am not sure which section of NTLite to search.

Thanks.
I can respond tomorrow.
 
Not every Windows feature is released in both 32-bit & 64-bit versions, because a 32-bit app can work fine if the task doesn't require you to reserve 64-bit address space. For example, Edge Update is simply checking program versions and installing new files.

And for historical reasons, MS will often put 64-bit executables inside "Program Files (x86)" folders. MS owns Windows, so they get to decide what to do even if it's not really self-consistent.

Code: 
Sigcheck v2.82 - File version and signature viewer
Copyright (C) 2004-2021 Mark Russinovich
Sysinternals - www.sysinternals.com

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate\1.3.241.13\MicrosoftEdgeUpdate.exe:
        Verified:       Signed
        Signing date:   10:09 AM 6/9/2026
        Publisher:      Microsoft Corporation
        Company:        Microsoft Corporation
        Description:    Microsoft Edge Update
        Product:        Microsoft Edge Update
        Prod version:   1.3.241.13
        File version:   1.3.241.13
        MachineType:    32-bit


Sigcheck v2.82 - File version and signature viewer
Copyright (C) 2004-2021 Mark Russinovich
Sysinternals - www.sysinternals.com

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate1.3.241.13\MicrosoftEdgeUpdateComRegisterShell64.exe:
        Verified:       Signed
        Signing date:   10:09 AM 6/9/2026
        Publisher:      Microsoft Corporation
        Company:        Microsoft Corporation
        Description:    Microsoft Edge Update COM Registration Helper
        Product:        Microsoft Edge Update
        Prod version:   1.3.241.13
        File version:   1.3.241.13
        MachineType:    64-bit
 
Hey garlin,
Thanks for your reply. I did some research with what you told me. I am trying to build an OS that is slimmed down and functional for typical users. It seems impossible for me to totally excise Edge. Is the best option to allow these Edge folders, tasks, and processes to exist? It seems tampering with them may cause security issues or OS crashes at worst.
 
I completely remove Edge from the ISO (all Edge component) and no problem
I can even reinstall the Canary version or others, it works very well
 
scaramonga said:
That damned 'WebView2' will have 'Edge' components running also, best remove also ;)
Click to expand...
WebView is basically Edge - it's a wrapper that runs web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) inside Windows apps using the Edge browser rendering engine, not Edge itself, but just the engine components.

Unfortunately, there is a growing number of apps that use WebView2, so unless you're building the image for yourself (and not for typical users) it should be left alone or the users may find later that they can't install and run some apps they want. So what's best for you might not be best for others.

chiles toreados said:
Hey garlin,
Thanks for your reply. I did some research with what you told me. I am trying to build an OS that is slimmed down and functional for typical users. It seems impossible for me to totally excise Edge. Is the best option to allow these Edge folders, tasks, and processes to exist? It seems tampering with them may cause security issues or OS crashes at worst.
Click to expand...

Remove Edge if you must, but leave WebView2, you wouldn't want to remove DotNET or DirectX from your image, would you? Almost the same thing, this ship has sailed and WebView is here to stay and fighting it is pointless. But indeed, it's best to leave it all alone if you want to ensure compatibility.
 
No thanks. I don't like that thing running. I also have nothing to do with 'Edge', which also gets obliterated, along with Defender (never used an A/V for years, apart from 'Common Sense' and a good back-up strategy), VBS disabled, as is Secure Boot :)

I decide what is, or is not, 'compatible' with any of my systems, not Microsoft! ;)

All system hogs, utter nonsense, and festering rot, as is WebView.
 
Anonymous Internet User said:
It can, but why would you risk compatibility issues, support calls or any complications later on? Just leave it.
Click to expand...
Some third-party softs install their own WebView2 in their own directory if they need it.
I don't have the Windows version installed (only the Edge Canary one) and I haven't had any issues.

But to each should test it based on their own usage.
 
scaramonga said:
No thanks. I don't like that thing running. I also have nothing to do with 'Edge', which also gets obliterated, along with Defender (never used an A/V for years, apart from 'Common Sense' and a good back-up strategy), VBS disabled, as is Secure Boot :)

I decide what is, or is not, 'compatible' with any of my systems, not Microsoft! ;)

All system hogs, utter nonsense, and festering rot, as is WebView.
Click to expand...
Sure, sure... if that works for you, but most people want more compatibility and security than that, including myself.

tistou77 said:
Some third-party softs install their own WebView2 in their own directory if they need it.
I don't have the Windows version installed (only the Edge Canary one) and I haven't had any issues.

But to each should test it based on their own usage.
Click to expand...
Some do, some don't and give an an error that WebView2 is missing.

The OP asked for "an OS that is slimmed down and functional for typical users" and some completely missed that.
 
I am opting to keep Defender because, while I and my users don't get/care about viruses, I'd like us to feel comfortable playing around with any classic swashbuckling installers.
Referencing this:
Remove Edge if you must, but leave WebView2, you wouldn't want to remove DotNET or DirectX from your image, would you?
Click to expand...
Could you point me to the location of the WebView 2 component? I am opting to remove the Microsoft Edge Update component. Hopefully, this keeps Edge off my computer; though I definitely want that WebView 2 component for Office/Teams.

Thanks for all the assistance so far.
 
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chiles toreados said:
Could you point me to the location of the WebView 2 component? I am opting to remove the Microsoft Edge Update component. Hopefully, this keeps Edge off my computer; though I definitely want that WebView 2 component for Office/Teams.
Click to expand...
If you search NTLIte components section, there are separate entries for Edge browser (Chrome and legacy) and for WebView2. You can remove Edge and keep WebView. If you remove the Edge update component that will likely prevent WebView2 from being updated too, not for long though, Windows Update will likely reinstall the Edge update component anyway, so that is futile, there is really no point fighting it. It won't reinstall Edge browser itself, but the update component will return because it's needed for WebView2. It really doesn't take up that much space. You'd have to disable WU to prevent it from coming back.

And, considering the current state of Windows security, you should not disable Windows Updates. I used to but not any more, it's not safe any more. And yes, removing Defender is just crazy these days. Don't listen to the "I never had a virus" crowd, the security landscape is changing because of LLMs and it's gonna get bad in near future.

Good luck.
 
Macrium back up every 2 days, rollback should anything occur ;) Done this for 2 years now, handy for the sh*t Nvidia drivers also, test, then the inevitable rollback :) Takes all of, max 2 mins, to get back to a working state.

Updates permanently disabled, no secure boot, no VBS, no Webview2, certainly no Defender!, or any other A/V system hogging crap, and 'WAU Manager' to grab security updates manually when needed, without fear of more nonsense sh*t. Brave browser (FULL paid for) no ads, nothing, and uBlock also installed :)

If stuff happens?, then 'rollback' 2 days, easy. I find myself deleting more backup sets now than anything, hey!?, can't keep em all :)

Windows is now a festering turd, and learning to live with it, well, needs must.
 
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scaramonga said:
Macrium back up every 2 days, rollback should anything occur ;) Done this for 2 years now, handy for the sh*t Nvidia drivers also, test, then the inevitable rollback :) Takes all of, max 2 mins, to get back to a working state.

Updates permanently disabled, no secure boot, no VBS, no Webview2, certainly no Defender!, or any other A/V system hogging crap, and 'WAU Manager' to grab security updates manually when needed, without fear of more nonsense sh*t. Brave browser (FULL paid for) no ads, nothing, and uBlock also installed :)

If stuff happens?, then 'rollback' 2 days, easy. I find myself deleting more backup sets now than anything, hey!?, can't keep em all :)

Windows is now a festering turd, and learning to live with it, well, needs must.
Click to expand...
What works for you is not generally good advice. People like you and I, and many on these forums, are extreme tinkerers; average computer users should not be taking that road. Webview2 is needed by many apps these says, so that, and removing Defender, are very bad advice right there.

And, your image backups won't do you any good if your government, insurance or banking credentials are stolen and THAT is what they're mostly after these days, they don't give a damn about your files on your disk, they want your logins, numbers and data. Malware is business now, this is no longer script kiddies trying to be kewl and annoy you by replacing your wedding pictures with porn, it's all about money now. You're living in the past if you think you are protected by your image backups.
 
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Anonymous Internet User said:
And, your image backups won't do you any good if your government, insurance or banking credentials are stolen
Click to expand...
I keep no such things on any of my systems, nor any passwords, and if using any, it's through Linux (my main system), but none are saved or kept on the system. All that stuff is on a separate drive, encrypted, and logged. I don't even keep it on my 24/7 'server' running, although its tempting, but no.

Anyone hacks me, or infects my Windows environment?, they will be wasting their time. Nothing to see here :) Pi-Hole also on router, heavily configured.

Rollback is second line of defence, as I lose 'nothing', plus it's fun to just install garbage, and then return as if nothing has happened ;)

Should the BIOS become infected in the future?, then out with it, and it will be replaced, as I have 4 BIOS chips on standby, on this system ;) I'm an electronics engineer, and these are easily replaced. I do it for a living, mostly laptop repairs :)
 
scaramonga said:
I keep no such things on any of my systems, nor any passwords, and if using any, it's through Linux (my main system), but none are saved or kept on the system. All that stuff is on a separate drive, encrypted, and logged. I don't even keep it on my 24/7 'server' running, although its tempting, but no.

Anyone hacks me, or infects my Windows environment?, they will be wasting their time. Nothing to see here :) Pi-Hole also on router, heavily configured.:)
Click to expand...
I'm sorry, I'm not picking on you nor trying to offend you, just being honest - but that makes your comments even more irrelevant as you're not even using Windows as most of us do. You use Linux for everything.

I have all my life on Windows and I can't afford to loosen up any security. I can't move to Linux either because the Linux software ecosystem sucks. Windows sucks as an OS, but its software ecosystem is unmatched and will remains so for decades. So, whatever you do with your Windows install is completely beyond any point of this discussion and your advice is irrelevant: you can afford disabling 99% of the system components, because it doesn't matter to you.

Peace. I don't hate on Linux, I'd switch years ago if desktop software was any good on Linux.

PS. And we can't swap BIOS chips when they get infected, we need to prevent such situation by having appropriate security in the first place. You can't be taken seriously with such statements. You can brag all you want, but your experience, strategies and circumstances are not that of a normal Windows user.
 
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