What is msedgewebview2.exe and why do I have multiple instances open?

In Windows 10 and Windows 11 it is increasingly common to encounter msedgewebview2.exe, an executable is part of the Microsoft Edge ecosystem and its runtime webview2No, it's not a virus. On the contrary: it's an official Microsoft component that updates automatically (Evergreen model).

This executable is used by popular apps such as Teams, Office, Outlook, Widgets, Weather, and even development tools like Visual Studio. However, like any legitimate process, it can be hijacked by malware, so it's important to know how to identify and manage it wisely.

What is msedgewebview2.exe and what exactly is it used for?

This executable belongs to the runtime Microsoft Edge WebView2, the technology that allows desktop applications to embed HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. In other words, it provides the infrastructure for a native app to display web content without launching a separate browser window, which often results in a smoother experience and lower power consumption. CPU and RAM compared to improvised alternatives.

WebView2 is based on the Microsoft Edge Chromium engine and is distributed as a component Evergreen: It updates itself so apps have the latest features and security patches. In everyday use, you'll see it enabled because apps like Microsoft Teams require it. Microsoft 365/Office, Outlook, System Widgets, Weather, Visual Studio, and many others. If this component is missing or corrupted, these applications may fail to display embedded web content.

For the end user, the value is that apps that use it load dynamic interfaces and content without relying on you to manually open Edge. The runtime is on its own, even though it is linked to the browser and shares version numbering, and can run even if Edge is not used or has been uninstalled.

Where your process model is located and how it works

On a healthy system, the binary usually resides in paths under Program Files (x86). It is usually found in directories of the type:

• C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Microsoft\\EdgeWebView\\Application\\\\msedgewebview2.exe
• C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Microsoft\\Edge\\Application\\\\msedgewebview2.exe

Under the hood, WebView2 inherits the multiprocess model from the Edge/Chromium engine. You won't see a single process, but rather several with distinct roles to improve isolation, stability, and performance: a WebView2 manager, a GPU process, utility processes (network, audio, etc.), and one or more renderer processes. Every application that uses WebView2 has its own set of processes, and there is usually one renderer per embedded WebView2 control, very similar to having one process per tab in a browser.

In Task Manager, on the Processes tab, you'll see them grouped by the main application as “webview2”, and in the Details tab they will appear as msedgewebview2.exeIn recent editions of Windows 11, grouping and detail are clearer, although sorting by columns other than "Name" can make the view confusing. For a more in-depth analysis, you can use Process Explorer from Microsoft and view the process hierarchy by tree.

Is it safe or could it be malware in disguise?

As a general rule, msedgewebview2.exe is legitimate when it's digitally signed by Microsoft and located in the official runtime folders. The problem arises when malicious actors try to exploit the name to sneak a binary into the system, especially if they place it in directories like C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32, which is a common red flag.

To verify its legitimacy, you can check the digital signature from the Task Manager with these steps:

1. Right click on the start menu and open the Task Manager.
2. In the Processes, locate the entry “Microsoft Edge WebView2”. Right-click and choose Properties.
3. Go to the tab Digital signatures and check that the signer is Microsoft Corporation.
4. From Open file location, verify that the path corresponds to “Program Files (x86)\\Microsoft\\EdgeWebView\\Application\\”.

If the signature is missing, the route is unusual, or the process shows exorbitant CPU or RAM consumption without reason, it is advisable to investigate with a reliable antimalware solution (Windows Defender, Microsoft Safety Scanner or other recognized ones on the market; some guides mention tools such as SpyHunter). The key is to scan and clean without hastily deleting system files.

Resource Consumption: What's Normal and What You Should Be Concerned About

Under normal conditions, the runtime behaves discreetly: CPU and memory usage depends on the content that the app is rendering. If an app displays a complex or poorly optimized page, power consumption increases; otherwise, it should remain low and stable.

In real-world observations, several “Microsoft Edge WebView2” processes are seen with RAM consumptions of just a few MB each and CPU at 0% when they're idle (with occasional spikes when loading content). Additionally, Task Manager may indicate "Very Low" under Power Consumption and its trend; this is expected.

When you notice continuous and sustained spikes in CPU, memory or GPU, focus on the application that is using WebView2: This is usually the source of the usage, not the runtime itself. If the issue occurs with a specific app, contact support; if it's widespread, move on to the system integrity and malware checks detailed below.

Installation, update and how to check if you have it

In Windows 11, WebView2 usually comes pre-installed. In Windows 10, it's present on most computers, and in any case, many applications install it automatically when needed. It's an "Evergreen" distribution: it receives regular updates from its own updater and also through Windows Update.

To check if it is installed, go to Settings> Applications and look for "Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime”. You can also go to the path C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Microsoft\\EdgeWebView\\Application and check that there is a subfolder with the necessary version and binaries.

If you want to force its installation manually, Microsoft provides the installer. Many guides indicate that you can download it with PowerShell using a command like Invoke-WebRequest to get “WebView2Setup.exe”, or download it from the official Microsoft website and run it following the wizard.

Invoke-WebRequest -Uri "https:\/\/go.microsoft.com\/fwlink\/p\/?LinkId=2124703" -OutFile "WebView2Setup.exe"

As for the browser, uninstalling Microsoft Edge does not break WebView2The runtime is a separate component; Edge and WebView2 share a common technology base and version, but operate independently.

Can I uninstall WebView2? Risks and when it makes sense

The most prudent thing is do not uninstall WebView2 Unless you're clear you don't need it. It's a cornerstone of modern features in Office and other apps (Microsoft mentions, for example, Room Finder in Outlook and future add-ins). Removing it may cause certain tools to not work as intended.

If you still decide to uninstall it, you can do so from Settings> Applications or from the Control Panel (Programs and Features). There are also third-party uninstallers like Revo, IObit, or HiBit that remove junk and registry entries, but use them with caution and make sure you have backups.

Important: Entirely terminating WebView2 processes from Task Manager or abruptly removing the component may result in instability and even blue screens If a dependent app crashes. Therefore, it's only recommended to intervene when you're certain the problem is related and after creating a restore point.

Finally, if you uninstall it, it is very likely that reinstall automatically when an application requires it, or through Windows Update on managed computers. If you change your mind later, you can reinstall it manually from the official Microsoft website by selecting your architecture (x86, x64, ARM64).

Frequently asked questions and common doubts

• Does uninstalling Edge break WebView2? No. They are separate components. Edge can be removed without affecting the runtime, which will continue to serve the apps that need it.
• Why is WebView2 being reinstalled? Because Windows 11 comes with it by default, and many apps check for it and install it if it's missing. Also, Windows Update or enterprise management tools can deploy it.
• Do you collect personal data? WebView2 as a component is not designed to collect data by itself; what can happen is that the application that uses it send telemetry based on your roles and privacy policy.
• Does it work without internet? It depends on the app. WebView2 can render local or remote content; if the app doesn't need a network, it can work offline.
• Does it affect all users on the computer? Yes, uninstalling the runtime impacts the system and therefore all accounts of the team.
• Can it be disabled without uninstalling? There's no native "off" switch. Terminating processes is temporary and unstable; the effective way to avoid this is uninstall it, with the consequences already mentioned.

Alternatives if you don't want to depend on WebView2

Some people prefer to avoid dependencies of this type for privacy or performance reasons on older computers. In those cases, you can use Google Docs (in the cloud, from any browser), from LibreOffice (local suite, free and compatible with Office formats) or only Office (on-premises and/or cloud, with a free version and enterprise options). These alternatives avoid the runtime, but consider whether they fit your workflow.

If your problem is performance, many times a SSD and a little more RAM makes more difference than uninstalling WebView2. Remember that its normal consumption is minimal and that Microsoft adds it to improve the experience in apps that integrate the web, not to worsen it.

Good practices to keep the system running smoothly

Prevention is key: keep Windows and your apps up to date. updated; schedule regular anti-malware scans; clean up temporary files with Disk Cleanup; reduce startup programs from Settings or with “msconfig” if applicable.

If you notice any anomalies with msedgewebview2.exe, remember what changes you made just before (installations, updates). Restore to a previous point Or using DISM and SFC often fixes corruption without formatting. And if you think a specific Windows update has broken something, try uninstalling it (look for the "KB" in Installed Updates) to rule out other causes.

Don't forget that the Task Manager view can be deceiving if you sort by columns other than “Name”. In recent Windows 11, grouping by app makes it easier to understand which process depends on what, but Process Explorer offers a very useful visual addition to seeing process inheritance.

In short, we can say that msedgewebview2.exe It's an increasingly common part of Windows. Understanding what it does, where it lives, how it's updated, and how to verify its legitimacy is the best way to prevent scares and misunderstandings. With the right checks and maintenance measures, it will quietly integrate into your daily routine without causing any problems.