Startup Boost FAQ

EDIT: We have an updated version of this FAQ over on the support site now. Head over the https://support.microsoft.com/topic/get-help-with-startup-boost-ebef73ed-5c72-462f-8726-512782c5e442 page to review the latest information about startup boost, including how to submit feedback to offer suggestions and report issues. We are locking this thread, but we encourage you to post a new thread if you have any questions that are not answered on the new FAQ page.

Starting with Microsoft Edge Build 88, we are releasing a new feature called startup boost to improve the Microsoft Edge browser startup experience. To learn more about it, read the FAQ below.

Note: We are in the process of releasing this feature, so it may be a little while before you see it in your respective channel and build.

1. What is startup boost?
To improve Microsoft Edge startup speed, we have developed a feature called startup boost. Startup boost keeps the browser running in the background with minimal processes, so Microsoft Edge will start more quickly when launched.

2. What benefits do I get from startup boost?
Microsoft Edge will start more quickly when it is launched from the taskbar, desktop, or from hyperlinks embedded in other applications when you log on after device startup or the browser is closed.

3. What is the resource impact of startup boost?
Startup boost keeps the browser running in the background with minimal processes when the browser is closed, which has a limited impact on device resource usage. Startup boost does not add any additional resources when browser windows are already open.

4. How does startup boost work?
Startup boost starts core Microsoft Edge processes in the background to keep them ready when the browser is closed, so Microsoft Edge will start more quickly when launched.

5. How do I know if startup boost is running?
You can check if the feature is on in the browser Settings under edge://settings/system.

6. Is startup boost available on all platforms?
Currently, startup boost is only available on devices with most versions of Windows.

7. What are the heuristics for startup boost to be enabled by default?
Startup boost is available on Windows devices (excluding Windows 10X and servers) with more than 4GB of RAM, or more than 1GB of RAM if the device has a modern disk (modern HDD with Trim and SeekPenalty or SSD), when Microsoft Edge is the default web browser with no extensions installed. These criteria were informed by experimentation data.

If startup boost is not enabled on your device, you can choose to manually enable it in the browser Settings under edge://settings/system.

8. What startup boost group policies will enterprises get?
We have a https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/deployedge/microsoft-edge-policies#startupboostenabled that allows administrators and users to enable or disable startup boost.

These can be both mandatory or recommended group policies. If it is a recommended group policy, IT admins will have the ability to set the default behavior that their users can change later, if they wish.

9. Why do others see the feature, but I do not?
We are in the process of deploying this feature, so it may be a little while before you see it in your respective channel and build.

10. Can I turn off startup boost?
Yes, startup boost can be toggled on and off by going to edge://settings/system.

11. I can no longer debug in Edge using Visual Studio. How can I fix this?
We are sorry to see you ran into this issue! This is a startup boost bug that our team has resolved but you may not get the update for some time. In the meantime you can either:

• Restart your device -> Start debugging in Visual Studio -> Then turn off startup boost by going to edge://settings/system in the browser window opened by Visual Studio Debugger.
• Temporarily download and run Edge Canary channel while debugging since this channel has the fix.

12. How do I send feedback?
We are eager to get your feedback on startup boost. If you experience an issue, please let us know through Microsoft Edge by pressing Shift+Alt+I on a Windows device, click on the feedback icon in the upper right corner of the address bar, or going to Settings and more … > Help and feedback > Send feedback.

You can also discuss your experience here on the Microsoft Edge Insider forums and https://twitter.com/MSEdgeDev.

- The Microsoft Edge Product Team