What is Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime and How to Disable It (2023)

Microsoft began pre-installing Microsoft Edge WebView2, which is a runtime installation. Desktop programs that are part of Microsoft 365 make use of WebView2 in order to deliver web-based functionalities.

In order to accomplish this, it makes use of the rendering engine included in Microsoft Edge.

Computers that already have Version 2101 or a later version of the Microsoft 365 programs installed on them, automatically will have WebView2 added to them.

But let’s see in more detail what the Microsoft Edge WebView2 runtime is. And whether it is safe to have it on your PC. Keep on reading!

What is Microsoft Edge WebView2 runtime?

With the help of the Microsoft Edge WebView2 control, you’ll be able to incorporate web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript into your own apps.

The WebView2 control makes use of Microsoft Edge as its rendering engine. So that it may display web content within native applications.

You will be able to design your whole native application within a single WebView2 instance. As well as incorporate web code in many sections of your native application using it.

WebView2 is utilized by Microsoft in order to offer users of Outlook capabilities that are consistent across all supported platforms.

Therefore, whether you use the Office applications on your desktop or online, the experience will be the same everywhere you go.

How do I know if I have Edge WebView2 installed?

1. Open the Settings app by pressing Windows and I together and navigate to Apps followed by Apps and features.
2. Here, type WebView2 inside the search bar. If the Microsoft Edge WebView2 pops up, then it is installed on your PC. If nothing shows up, then you don’t have it.

Below we will show you how to install the runtime in case you want to do so. Note that it should be installed automatically on your computer when you get the Microsoft 365 package.

Why is Microsoft Edge WebView2 running?

Take into consideration the fact that, as a result of WebView2, the Room Finder and Meeting Insights capabilities of Outlook will be exactly the same. Regardless of whether you use the desktop program or the web version of it.

When functionality on the web and desktop programs are not located in the same location, it can be an annoyance to learn where to look for them in the first place.

Additionally, it is not necessary to use the Microsoft Edge browser in order for it to function properly.

Therefore, the Runtime process can and will run even if the browser isn’t installed on your computer, much alone operating.

Even though Microsoft has said that it will only install the WebView2 Runtime on computers that are running Microsoft 365 Apps Version 2010 or later.

There is a possibility that the Runtime will also be installed on computers that have older versions of Microsoft Office.

Is Microsoft Edge WebView2 a virus?

Microsoft Edge WebView2 is not a virus, and you can safely install it on your computer. Microsoft gives the Room Finder tool on Outlook as an example of a feature that is enabled by WebView 2.

The company also notes that future Office add-ins will require it to function properly. However, if you think you don’t need those features or don’t use Outlook at all, you may proceed with the uninstallation process.

Where is MSEdgeWebView2.exe located?

You will be able to find the executable file under this location: C:\ProgramFiles(x86)\Microsoft\EdgeWebView\Application\101.0.1210.53\Installer

Note that the folder after the Application one might have a different number. Nonetheless, the WebView2 file is in there.

How do I install Microsoft Edge WebView2 runtime?

1. Navigate to Microsoft’s page and click on the x64 download button under Evergreen Standalone Installer. Make sure to save the executable file inside the Downloads folder.
2. Next, click on the magnifying glass icon from your Taskbar, type cmd inside the search bar. And right-click on the top result in order to choose Run as administrator.
3. Type or paste the following commands in order to navigate to the Downloads folder. And then perform the Microsoft Edge WebView2 runtime silent install. Make sure to press Enter after each: cd Downloads MicrosoftEdgeWebView2RuntimeInstallerX64.exe /silent /install

The Evergreen Standalone Installer is a full-blown installer that can install the Evergreen Runtime in an offline environment. It is available for x86/x64/ARM64 infrastructures.

Soon after the process is done, you will be able to find the WebView2 runtime installed on your PC. This being said, let’s see how you can stop it from running by disabling or even uninstalling it.

What is a silent installation?

An installation of software known as a silent install does not need any activity on the part of the user throughout the process. The process of installing a desktop program may be simplified and made more convenient using this method.

Silent installations are carried out by a wide variety of lawful software applications. Nevertheless, spyware and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) also make use of them. In order to conceal the installation process from the user.

A standard installer makes use of a number of parameters to provide operating instructions to the installer. Examples of these include the location on which the software should be installed, or whether or not a desktop shortcut should be created. And whether or not extra components should be installed.

The user is requested to pick or confirm these settings throughout the installation process in a non-silent or attended installation. Which differs from a quiet installation.

During a quiet installation, these options are chosen by default. And the installation process is carried out in its entirety with no intervention from the user at any point.

But now, let’s see how you can disable WebView2 runtime or perform a silent uninstall. Follow along!

How do I stop Microsoft Edge from WebView2 runtime?

1. Disable it from Task Manager

1. Open Task Manager by pressing CTRL + SHIFT + ESC on your keyboard and navigate to the Details tab.
2. Here, scroll down until you meet the Microsoft Edge WebView2 runtime process, click on it and choose End task.

Task Manager is a component of the Windows OS and has been included in all versions of Microsoft Windows since Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000.

It gives you the ability to see the performance of the computer in its whole as well as each of the tasks, also known as processes. You are able to examine how much memory a program is consuming, halt a program that has been frozen and view the available system resources.

Ending a process might force the closure of an application entirely, cause your computer to crash, and cause you to lose any unsaved data. Stopping a process using the Task Manager will most likely stabilize your computer.

However, ending a process can have the opposite effect. It is best practice to preserve your data before terminating a process if it is at all practicable to do so.

2. Uninstall Microsoft Edge WebView 2 Runtime in Silent Mode

1. Click on the magnifying glass icon and type cmd inside the search bar.

2. Right-click on the top result to open the Command Prompt app.

3. Select Run as Administrator.

4. Next, navigate to the path where it is installed by typing the command below and pressing Enter: cd C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\EdgeWebView\Application\101.0.1210.53\Installer

5. Next, type or paste the following command to silent uninstall it and press Enter: setup.exe --uninstall --msedgewebview --system-level --verbose-logging --force-uninstall

6. Microsoft Edge WebView2 runtime is now uninstalled.

If you remove Microsoft Edge WebView 2, you will free up more than 475 MB of disk space and between 50 and 60 MB of RAM that it needs in the background. It is a fantastic option if you have a less powerful PC.

However, you should be aware that if you perform an uninstall of this program, you will no longer be able to use features of Microsoft 365 (specifically, features related to Outlook), as these features depend on WebView to function correctly.

What are the most common Microsoft Edge WebView2 runtime error codes?

Users have reported encountering numerous errors caused by Microsoft Edge WebView2 runtime. Some of which are the following:

• Microsoft Edge WebView2 runtime error code 193 – This error occurs during a faulty installation of the WebView2 runtime. Thus we recommend trying to reinstall it as we have shown above.
• Error code 259 Microsoft Edge WebView2 runtime – By terminating the WebView2 process, you will be able to fix this.
• Microsoft Edge WebView2 runtime error code 5 – Try restarting your computer before removing the runtime altogether.
• Microsoft Edge WebView2 runtime error code Citrix – This can be fixed by adding the WebView2 process as an exception from all Citrix hooks.

What is the difference between Microsoft Edge and WebView2?

The Microsoft Edge web browser serves as the foundation for WebView2’s design. It is possible to extend functionality from the browser to applications that are built on it, which is a helpful feature.

On the other hand, given that WebView2 may be used with applications that are similar to browsers, certain browser functionalities will need to be altered or eliminated. Within the scope of WebView2, browser features are designed in accordance with some guidelines.

Both WebView2 and Microsoft Edge share the majority of their functionalities. The functionality of a feature may be altered or disabled if it is determined that it is not appropriate for use in the context of WebView2 or for any other reason.

It is possible that the default key bindings will be modified when the next time Microsoft Edge is updated. In addition, if the functionality is now enabled in WebView2, a keyboard shortcut that is disabled by default might perhaps be activated instead.

Why is msedgewebview2.exe using so much CPU?

When the CPU consumption is excessive, it starts to influence the running of the system, and you will notice lagging and probable overheating of the Windows 11 PC.

If the utilization of the CPU continues to be high, it will continue to impair the operating of the system. Among these kinds of processes, msedgewebview2.exe is one that uses a lot of processing power.

The process, in addition to a number of other ones that are operating in the background, is listed in the Details tab of the Task Manager. Users have a difficult time determining the source of the issue and resolving it since the facts provided there are rather ambiguous.

Because of the potential impact that excessive RAM (Memory) and CPU utilization might have on the performance of your personal computer, it is all the more essential to keep both of these factors under control.

We strongly recommend you check out our post on how to fix msedgewebview2.exe high CPU usage in order to clean up your process.

Alternatively, take a look at how to fix general high CPU usage in Windows 11 and learn how to keep it under control.

We hope this guide proved to be useful to you. Don’t hesitate to leave a comment in the section below and tell us what you think. Thanks for reading!