Windows cannot find 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\msedge.exe'

Question

Split from this thread.

I originally installed the new Microsoft Edge in November 2019.  Beginning today, upon opening Microsoft Edge I got the message

"Windows cannot find 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\msedge.exe'.  Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again."

I'm not aware of any updates since I usually handle those myself. 

First, I removed the desktop, start, and taskbar shortcuts.  Then I uninstalled Microsoft Edge from Programs and Features/add or remove programs and reinstalled it from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge using a standard (not custom) install using both Chrome and Firefox.  I now have MicrosoftEdgeSetup.exe, MicrosoftEdgeSetup(1).exe, and MicrosoftEdgeSetup(2).exe.  I have used all three.

This did not fix the problem.  Interestingly enough, I can navigate to that location but my system can't.  No changes were made on my part to deny access to this file path.

Utilizing "repair" and "reset" in the Apps Settings has not fixed the problem.

What's going on?

Answer 1

This error commonly arises when Windows settings have been changed by third-party security software (e.g. McAfee, Symantec, Norton, Avast, AVG). There is usually no need for ordinary careful users to run any security software other than Windows Security built-in to Windows 10.

Could this be the case?

Answer 2

Oh yes this is exactly the reason why. Yes you are absolutely right, I uninstalled my Avast Premiere as my antivirus software then this happened. All of my apps were not accessible right after the uninstallation. I fixed my problem by resetting my laptop, reinstalling windows. The risk is real, too costly. Thank you sir.

Answer 3

Hello, I have a fix that had helped me.
The reason why this issue had happened for me was that i had uninstalled the avast cleanup service.

FIX-

1. Go to - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\msedge.exe\25446da6ceb8c06f_PD
2. Find and delete anything that says or has "avast".

That should help.
But if it doesn't, reply to me here and I will give u another solution which might work.

EDIT - Also go to registry, click on - Edit> find . Then search in it 'avast'. find and delete anything that pops out with that name, there will be 100s of it [ most of ur applications will be stopped because of this] . delete them all. use find next to keep looking for it

Answer 4

This worked for me, but it was AVG and not Avast.

Answer 5

... it was AVG and not Avast.

There's not much difference. You might be interested in this article: https://www.safetydetectives.com/blog/avast-scandal-why-we-stopped-recommending-avast-avg/