[Fix] Too Many “Microsoft Edge Update.Exe (32 bit)” Processes Running in Task Manager in Windows

I have received many emails from readers regarding this Microsoft Edge web browser problem. Microsoft Edge users are finding that many instances of “Microsoft Edge Update (32 bit)” or MicrosoftEdgeUpdate.exe process are running in Task Manager in their computer systems and are consuming CPU resources and RAM.

PROBLEM SYMPTOM:

If you are using Microsoft Edge web browser in your Windows computer and you open Task Manager by right-clicking on Taskbar and selecting “Task Manager” option or by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc keys together, you notice that too many MicrosoftEdgeUpdate.exe processes are listed on Details tab as shown in following screenshot:

Multiple_Instances_Microsoft_Edge_Update_Exe_32_Bit_Running_Task_Manager_Windows.png

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All processes are running using SYSTEM username and the description says “Microsoft Edge Update”.

If you go to Processes tab, you’ll see the same multiple processes with the name “Microsoft Edge Update (32 bit)” running in background.

I also checked in one of my Windows 10 device and I found 29 instances of MicrosoftEdgeUpdate.exe process running in background.

Users are wondering why this process is running so many times in Task Manager? Is it a virus or suspicious item?

PROBLEM REASON and SOLUTION:

First of all, don’t worry. This process is official updater file for Microsoft Edge web browser which regularly checks for new version updates available for Edge on Microsoft servers. This process keeps running in background so that it can download and install new versions of Microsoft Edge browser automatically in user’s device and keep Microsoft Edge web browser updated.

Similar processes are also used by other web browsers such as Google Chrome and Opera to upgrade themselves to newer versions.

Usually one or two instances of MicrosoftEdgeUpdate.exe process run in Windows and you’ll find them in Task Manager but getting 20-30 or more instances of this process running in Task Manager is not normal.

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Microsoft has acknowledged this issue and according to “Missy Quarry” (Community Manager for Microsoft Edge) (via), it’s a known issue. Here is the official statement given by Microsoft on this issue:

That’s actually the installer/updater not the application itself. This process duplication is something that the team is aware and have rolled a fix out for, however that fix is still rolling out and not everyone has it just yet.

So this multiple instances of “Microsoft Edge Update (32 bit)” or MicrosoftEdgeUpdate.exe process running in Task Manager issue has been acknowledged by Microsoft Edge team and they have pushed a fix to resolve the issue.

The fix is being rolled out in phases and all devices running Microsoft Edge web browser will receive the fix soon.

In the meantime, to delete or remove all instances of MicrosoftEdgeUpdate.exe process running in Task Manager at once, right-click on the 1st instance and select “End process tree” option. It’ll immediately remove all MicrosoftEdgeUpdate.exe processes running in Task Manager.

BONUS TIP:

If you want to get rid of “Microsoft Edge Update (32 bit)” or MicrosoftEdgeUpdate.exe process running in background and want to permanently disable or remove it and want to restrict or prevent it from running in background in your computer, following tutorial will help you:

How to Disable or Remove MicrosoftEdgeUpdate.exe Process Running in Task Manager?

Also Check:

How to Disable GoogleUpdate.exe Background Process After Installing Google Chrome

[Tip] How to Disable or Block Auto-Update Feature (Opera_AutoUpdate.exe) in Opera

Published in: Microsoft Edge, Troubleshooting Guides, Windows 10

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. My laptop just started doing this last week (7/21/21). Has the fix been rolled out yet? Is there somewhere I can go to download the fix rather than wait for MS? This is very annoying! It takes several minutes to load a new page because it thinks I have 30 instances of MS Edge running already. Thank you in advance.

    Terry

  2. I have discovered a similar problem. Informed multiple ms edge (30) eating up memory 29%. How do I close the 30 ms edge running.

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