Edge Slow and CPU

Question

Why does it take 30 second or so until I can use Edge when it starts? I click the icon. I put something in. It takes close to 30 seconds before the page loads. I try the same thing in Chrome and it goes immediately to the page.

Then it take 3 to 5 minutes of high CPU usage when Edge starts. It eventually goes away. If I open another page CPU usage spikes for a while. Chrome does none of this.

Answer 1

Hi, I'm John! I will help you with this.

To help narrow down the issue:

1. Is this happening every time you start Edge?
2. Did this start after a Windows update or Edge update?
3. Do you have a lot of extensions installed in Edge?
4. Does it also happen in InPrivate mode?

In the meantime, if you haven’t already:

1. Test without extensions:

Open Edge

Go to: edge://extensions/

Turn off all extensions > Close Edge completely > Reopen and test again

2. Disable Startup Boost:

Go to Edge Settings > Search for “Startup Boost”

Turn it off > Restart Edge

3. Check background apps:

Settings > System and performance

Turn off “Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed”

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If the issue persists, please provide more details by answering my questions.

Click "Add comment" below to let me know.

Regards,

John J.D.

Answer 2

GO AWAY AI!

Answer 3

Edge startup slowness and high CPU are typically caused by heavy extensions, corrupted browsing data, or a problematic Edge installation. Use these steps to narrow it down and improve performance:

1. Close other tabs, apps, and extensions
   • Close all Edge tabs except one.
   • Close other running apps and pause any downloads.
   • Uninstall extensions that are not needed, then test Edge again.
   • On the tab that is slow, reload the page after doing this.
2. Make sure Edge is up to date
   • In Edge, select Settings and more (⋯) > Settings > About Microsoft Edge.
   • Install any available updates and restart Edge.
3. Clear cache and (optionally) all browsing data
   • Open Edge.
   • Select Settings and more > History > Open history page.
   • Select Delete browsing data.
   • Set Time range to All time.
   • First try clearing Browsing history and Cached images and files, then select Clear now.
   • If the problem persists, repeat and select all boxes to clear all browsing data.
4. Check for malware and security software impact
   • Run a full malware scan using Windows Security (see the "Run a scan manually" section of Stay protected with Windows Security).
   • If third‑party security software (for example, Norton or McAfee) is installed, open it and make sure it is fully updated. Out‑of‑date security software can slow browser startup and page loads.
5. Restart Windows
   • Restart the computer to clear any stuck processes that might be affecting Edge performance.
6. Repair Microsoft Edge
   • Close Edge for all users on the device.
   • Go to Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
   • Find Microsoft Edge, select it, then choose Modify.
   • When prompted Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?, select Yes.
   • Ensure the device is connected to the internet, then select Repair. This reinstalls Edge while keeping data and settings, and can fix corruption that causes long startup times and high CPU.

If, after these steps, Edge still takes ~30 seconds to load pages and shows several minutes of high CPU while Chrome does not, the most likely remaining causes are:

• A specific extension or site pattern that only Edge is using.
• Third‑party security software that hooks more deeply into Edge.
• A deeper system issue, in which case comparing performance with and without that security software, or testing in a new Windows user profile, can help isolate the cause.

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References:

• What to do if Microsoft Edge isn't working
• Results for the Edge Security Software Impact assessment