How to disable Microsoft Edge's 'First Run' welcome page in Windows 10

By Mauro Huculak
published

You can stop Microsoft Edge from showing a welcome page when you launch the browser for the first time or after feature updates. Here's how.

Starting with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update (version 1607), Microsoft Edge loads a welcome page called the "First Run webpage" the first time you open the browser, and it shows information about the new changes, tips, and actions you should take to improve your experience.

While the page can be somewhat informative, the problem is that you not only see this First Run page after a clean installation of Windows 10 but also after installing new feature updates, which can be annoying, especially if you're a member of the Windows Insider Program and you're regularly installing new versions of Windows 10.

In corporate environments, this behavior can confuse users and cause many unnecessary calls to network administrators.

The good news is that on the Windows 10 Creators Update (version 1703) and later, alongside the new features and improvements, Microsoft Edge has a new option to stop showing the welcome page using the Local Group Policy Editor and the Registry.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to prevent Microsoft Edge from loading the First Run page when launching the browser for the first time after installing new feature updates.

How to disable the First Run page on Microsoft Edge using Group Policy

If you're running Windows 10 Pro (or Enterprise), the easiest way to prevent Microsoft Edge from opening the welcome page every time you launch the web browser for the first time is using the Local Group Policy Editor.

To disable the First Run page for Microsoft Edge, do the following:

  1. Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command.
  2. Type gpedit.msc and click OK to open the Local Group Policy Editor.
  3. Browse the following path:Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Edge
  4. On the right side, double-click the Prevent the First Run webpage from opening on Microsoft Edge policy.

  1. Select the Enabled option.

  1. Click Apply.
  2. Click OK.

Once you complete these steps, you'll be able to go straight to your homepage, skipping the welcome page when opening Microsoft Edge for the first time, even after a feature update or after installing a new build from the Windows Insider Program.

You can revert the changes by following the same instructions, but on step No. 5, select the Not Configured option.

How to disable the First Run page on Microsoft Edge using Registry

In the case that you don't have access to the Local Group Policy editor, you can still block Microsoft Edge from displaying the welcome page using the Registry.

Warning: This is a friendly reminder that editing the registry is risky, and it can cause irreversible damage to your installation if you don't do it correctly. We recommend making a full backup of your PC before proceeding.

To disable the First Run page using the Registry, do the following:

  1. Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command.
  2. Type regedit, and click OK to open the Registry.
  3. Browse the following path:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft
    • Quick Tip: On the Windows 10 Creators Update, you can now copy and paste the path in the new Registry's address bar to quickly jump to the key destination.
  4. Right-click the Microsoft (folder) key, select New, and click on Key.

  1. Name the key MicrosoftEdge and press Enter.
  2. Right-click the MicrosoftEdge (folder) key, select New, and click on Key.
  3. Name the key Main and press Enter.
  4. Right-click on the right side of Main, select New and click on DWORD (32-bit) Value.

  1. Name the key PreventFirstRunPage and press Enter.
  2. Double-click the newly created DWORD and set the value from 0 to 1.

  1. Click OK.

After completing these steps, Microsoft Edge should no longer display the welcome page when launching the browser for the first time.

You can always revert the changes by following the same instructions, but on step No. 5, make sure to right-click the MicrosoftEdge (folder) key and select Delete to remove the settings.

More Windows 10 resources

For more help articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

Mauro Huculak
Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is technical writer for WindowsCentral.com. His primary focus is to write comprehensive how-tos to help users get the most out of Windows 10 and its many related technologies. He has an IT background with professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA, and he's a recognized member of the Microsoft MVP community.

25 Comments
  • So instead of proving a setting in Edge to let users change this behaviour, they are forcing them to modify the registry instead, thereby defeating the whole purpose of UWP, since a UWP app can't be modified through the registry.
  • And how to remove Edge from my PC?
  • I would ask the same question. The page only comes up on first launch. This article is ridiculous.
  • format c:\ Your welcome!
  • WHY do you use Windows then???!! -_- 
  • Welcome page is awesome for edge, i like it and every day using
  • Read the article... You're confusing what he means by welcome page.
  • Okay, thanks.
  • How to remove android and ios articles from showing up in Windows central?
  • Why? There are nomore articles about Windows Phone!
  • Totally contrary question: How do I see the page again? I updated my Surface 3 late last night and this page came up on Edge. I couldn't be bothered to go through it all at the time and the page had no means of bookmarking it (the star icon for adding it to favourites wasn't present as it is on other pages - it didn't seem to be an option). I clicked on a couple of links for a quick peek then went and viewed the page I had originally opened Edge for in the first place instead, then closed it. Now can't find the start page in my history either. I wouldn't mind seeing it again just once, at my leisure and a time of my choosing. Then, yes, like everyone else I'm probably done with it. Any advice?
  • Just go to microsoftedgetips.microsoft.com - it'll redirect to a language-specific variant (like http://microsoftedgetips.microsoft.com/en-us/)
  • Worked, thanks!
  • All those 100 clicks just to block a page which comes after every 6 months !!
  • Another solution that I find works well:  Click the little X on the right corner of the tab.  Walla!
  • 😅
  • No Way!
  • These how to articles are very.... interesting to say the least. I don't have any problems with them, as I think they're great for who needs them, but they seem more and more like "What random thing can I write a new how to about next?" kind of article.
    Again, I mean nothing by it but it's just the way they're coming across to me.
  • I find these kinds of hacks fun.  I love seeing how customisable Windows can be, with some simple (or not-so-simple) tweaks.
  • I'd rather see 'How to Enable' hacks instead of 'How to Disable' hacks.
  • What a waste of time. Are you getting desperate for something to publish?
  • What? You open the browser... And then its disabled... Wtf would you go into the registry?
  • I'd like to know how to get onto facebook or gmail. they never load 
  • This really warrants a post? Ok.
  • How about in Windows 10 Mobile? I hate that I can't figure out what makes Edge prompt the "Welcome to..." blah blah page to load. At least on desktop it seems to only be after a major Windows Update release.