Repair, reset options can help get Microsoft Edge back on track
Q. I have a fairly new Dell all-in-one computer with Windows 10. All of a sudden Edge will not work. Can you suggest anything I can try to get it functional again?
A. Microsoft Edge, like any other browser, will sometimes require a refresh or a reset to keep it working properly.
Windows 10 v1709, also known as the Windows 10 Creators Update Version, offers a reset/repair option.
To reset the Edge browser, type Settings in the Search window or press the Windows key on your keyboard and click on the little gear icon that pops up in that menu.
Under Settings look for Apps & Features and you should see Microsoft Edge. Click on Advanced Options. Here you will have two options, Repair and Reset. Try the Repair option first. This will maintain your browser data. If it doesn’t work, go ahead and try the Reset option. Keep in mind that using this option will clear the browsing history and cookies, but you will keep your bookmarks.
In most cases, this should sort out the problem. If it doesn’t, you may be looking at uninstalling and reinstalling Edge, which can be a little complicated for a novice. If you think that’s something you need to do, then a quick internet search on the subject will find some helpful documentation online.
Q. I recently purchased a new computer running Windows 10. Here recently a blue box pops up that says the newest Windows feature update is ready to install and
that it could take longer than other updates. Is this legitimate? I was able to stop it by clicking Remind Me Later but now it's getting insistent in that it will install the next hour.
A. This is a legitimate update notification. Windows 10 can be very aggressive in reminding you to keep it up-to-date, and in my mind, this is a good thing. These patches install new features and address performance and security issues and are strongly recommended.
As this is a feature update and not just a security update it may take a while to install. That is why you should schedule it for a time when you won’t be using the computer.
All that being said, it is good to treat these notices with some skepticism. There is malware out there that tries to use official-looking popups like this to trick you into installing something you shouldn’t.
When in doubt, search the web using the text of the message you are receiving to see if it is something known to be malicious.