Microsoft is trying to convince as many people as possible to set Edge as their default browser. While Edge has certainly improved since it first came out, it is not error-proof, and you may encounter various issues such as the inability to download files.
If this happened to you, there’s no need to go back to Chrome or Firefox. We’ll show you how to check and configure Edge settings so you can fix the problem in no time.
1. Update Edge
If you are using an older version of Microsoft Edge, you will notice some issues while browsing. To check if you are using the latest Edge version, click on the three-dot menu from the top-right corner and open Settings. Then, from the menu on the left, choose About Microsoft Edge.
Edge should display the Microsoft Edge is up to date message if you’re using the latest version. Or it may inform you that an update is available, and that you should restart the browser to install it.
Why doesn’t Edge automatically update?
Normally, Microsoft Edge automatically installs any available updates. But if you are using a metered connection, you may need to manually update the browser to keep it running smoothly.
To fix this problem and make Edge update automatically, you should configure its settings. Navigate to edge://settings/help and turn on the toggle next to Download updates on metered connections.
2. Use Private Mode
There may be a bug or glitch in one of the installed browser extensions that prevents Edge from downloading files. To use Edge without the extension, open the browser menu and click on New InPrivate Window or use the Ctrl + Shift + N shortcut.
If you can download files from an InPrivate window, disable all extensions and re-enable them one by one. That way, you can identify which one is bothering you.
3. Change download location
If you can’t download files using Edge, you should look at the download location. There may be no free space on your computer, or the download path may have become unavailable. In this case, changing the download location should resolve the issue.
4. Check Antivirus Settings
If you still can’t download files after changing the download path, you should check your antivirus settings. Your antivirus may block Internet downloads to protect your computer from malware, which is why Edge can’t download anything.
5. Microsoft Edge cannot download Office files
There is also the case when Edge can download apps or photos but opens Office files instead of downloading them. Fortunately, the solution to this problem is quite simple.
If you want more control over your downloads, you can enable the Ask me what to do with each download and Show download menu when download starts options.
6. Reset Edge
If you can’t identify anything wrong with your antivirus or browser settings, you should try to revert Edge settings to their default values. This will delete data associated with Edge, such as browser cookies, but will retain favorites, history, and saved passwords.
To reset Edge, open the browser settings menu and select Reset settings. Then, click Restore settings to their default values > Reset.
7. Repair Edge
If you notice Edge crashes or freezes in addition to the inability to download files, fixing the app will get it working properly again.
Stress-free download on Microsoft Edge
Hopefully, you can now download files with Microsoft Edge. As we discussed, there are some settings that you should check when dealing with browser issues. As long as you keep your browser up to date and configure your antivirus settings correctly, you shouldn’t have any problems.