How to Enable or Disable Process Isolation in Microsoft Edge on Windows 11

How to Turn On Process Isolation in Microsoft Edge

Open the Registry Editor (a database for low-level system settings) to configure the policy. Editing the wrong value in the registry can cause problems, so work slowly and change only what this guide names. If you want a safety net, you can back up the key first using File › Export in Registry Editor.

Step 1Open the Registry Editor

You open Registry Editor from the Windows search menu. You need administrator privileges to change these system settings. Click Start ⊞, type regedit, right-click the result, and select run as administrator.

1. Click the Start button or press the Windows key on your keyboard.
2. Type regedit into the search box.
3. Look for "Registry Editor" in the search results, then right-click it.
4. Choose Run as administrator. Without this you cannot save the changes we are about to make.
5. If a box asks "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?", click Yes. The Registry Editor window should now be open, with a tree of folders on the left.

If you are on a work or school PC and the Yes button is missing or asks for an admin password, you do not have admin rights. Ask your IT team, because the registry change will not save without them.

This ensures you have the necessary permissions.

Step 2Go to the Right Place in the Registry

Registry keys (folders in the registry database) hold the location you need to reach. Use the left-hand pane of the Registry Editor window to get to the correct folder path for Microsoft Edge. This makes sure your change lands in the right part of the system.

The left pane shows the folders, which are known as keys in the registry. You can open one by clicking the small arrow or plus sign (+) next to it. That shows the values and subkeys inside it.

1. In the left pane, expand the top-level folders one at a time, following the path from left to right.
2. Keep going until you reach the intended registry path, for example HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Edge.
3. Click the last key in the path once to select it. The right pane now shows whatever values are stored in that key.

You can also paste the path into the address bar at the top of Registry Editor and press Enter. If a key in the path does not exist yet, which is common on a PC that has never had Edge policies set, right-click the key above it, choose New › Key, and type the missing name exactly as it appears in the path.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge

Step 3Create or Change the 'ProcessIsolationEnabled' Setting

Next, create a new DWORD (32-bit) value (a setting type used in the registry) to apply the policy. You will name it ProcessIsolationEnabled and give it a value of 1.

1. With the Edge key selected on the left side, look at the right side.
2. Right-click an empty space on the right side.
3. Choose New, then choose DWORD (32-bit) Value. A new item appears with its name highlighted for editing.
4. Name it exactly: ProcessIsolationEnabled
5. Press Enter to confirm the name.
6. Double-click the new ProcessIsolationEnabled value you just made. A small window opens.
7. In the Value data box, type 1.
8. Make sure Base is set to Hexadecimal. It usually is already.
9. Click OK. The right pane should now list the value with your number in the Data column.

Explanation: DWORD (32-bit) Value

This is a type of data within the Windows Registry. When set to 1, it instructs Microsoft Edge to enable Process Isolation.

Setting the ProcessIsolationEnabled value to 1 tells Microsoft Edge to turn ON Process Isolation.

A typo will prevent the setting from functioning. If you get it wrong, right-click the value, choose Rename, and fix the name.

Step 4Close the Registry Editor and Restart Edge

Edge only reads the new setting when it starts, so you need to restart it after editing the registry. You do not need to restart Windows for this.

1. Close the Registry Editor window by clicking the X in the top-right corner.
2. If Microsoft Edge is open, close it completely. Make sure all Edge windows are shut. If Edge seems to keep running in the background, open Task Manager and end any remaining Microsoft Edge tasks.
3. Open Microsoft Edge again. The new Process Isolation setting will be active.

Warning: If you don't close and reopen Edge, the change will not take effect until your computer is restarted and Edge is launched again.

How to Turn Off Process Isolation in Microsoft Edge

If you enabled Process Isolation and are having problems with other applications, or you decide you no longer need it, turning it off is a similar process. You change the same value from 1 to 0, and you can switch it back at any time.

Step 1Open the Registry Editor (as Administrator)

Follow the same steps as in Step 1 of the "Turn On" section to open the Registry Editor with administrator privileges.

1. Click Start and type regedit.
2. Right-click Registry Editor and choose Run as administrator.
3. Click Yes on the UAC prompt if it shows up.

Step 2Go to the 'Edge' Registry Key

Navigate to the identical location as before. Expand the folders in the left pane, or paste the path into the address bar at the top of the window:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge

Ensure the Edge key is selected in the left pane. The value you created earlier should be listed on the right.

Step 3Change the 'ProcessIsolationEnabled' Setting

Changing the value data (the number that controls the setting) to zero turns off process isolation. Find the ProcessIsolationEnabled item on the right side and edit it.

1. On the right side, find the ProcessIsolationEnabled value.
2. Double-click it. The edit window opens.
3. In the Value data box, type 0.
4. Make sure Base is set to Hexadecimal.
5. Click OK. The Data column should now show your new number.

Explanation: 0

Setting the ProcessIsolationEnabled value to 0 tells Microsoft Edge to turn OFF Process Isolation.

Tip: To completely remove the setting, you can right-click on ProcessIsolationEnabled in the right pane and select Delete. This will revert Edge to its default behavior for this feature, which may be enabled or disabled depending on Microsoft's current rollout strategy.

Step 4Close the Registry Editor and Restart Edge

As when enabling the feature, you must restart Edge for the change to take effect. Restarting Windows is not required.

1. Close the Registry Editor.
2. Make sure all Microsoft Edge windows are closed. Check Task Manager if Edge appears to be still running in the background.
3. Open Microsoft Edge again. Process Isolation should now be off.

Setting it Back to Default (Not Configured)

Sometimes you may prefer to let Microsoft manage the Process Isolation setting through its updates. You do this by returning the policy to "Not Configured", which in the registry means deleting the value you created. This is also the cleanest way to undo everything in this guide.

Step 1Open Registry Editor as Administrator

You need administrator rights (permissions that let you change system files) to edit these settings. Open Registry Editor as an administrator again.

1. Click Start and type regedit.
2. Right-click Registry Editor and choose Run as administrator.
3. Click Yes on the UAC prompt.

Step 2Go to the 'Edge' Key

Navigate to the familiar path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge

Ensure the Edge key is highlighted in the left pane.

Step 3Delete the 'ProcessIsolationEnabled' Setting

Deleting the value (removing your custom entry) returns Edge to its default behavior for process isolation.

1. On the right side, find the ProcessIsolationEnabled value.
2. Right-click ProcessIsolationEnabled.
3. Choose Delete from the menu that appears.
4. A warning asks if you are sure you want to delete this value. Click Yes. The value should disappear from the right pane.

Explanation: By deleting the ProcessIsolationEnabled value, you remove the specific instruction given to Edge. Windows will then revert to its default behavior for this setting, which could mean it's on or off, depending on Microsoft's current deployment plan for this feature.

Tip: Deleting the value is the most effective way to reset it. This action ensures no manual setting is forcing Process Isolation on or off.

Step 4Close Registry Editor and Restart Edge

One final action is required to apply the change.

1. Close the Registry Editor.
2. Close all Edge windows, and end any leftover Microsoft Edge tasks in Task Manager.
3. Open Microsoft Edge again. Process Isolation will now be in its default, unconfigured state.

References:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/deployedge/microsoft-edge-policies/processisolationenabled

Summary

Process isolation (a security feature that separates browser tasks) protects your computer by keeping web content contained. You control this feature through the Windows Registry by changing the ProcessIsolationEnabled value. Set it to 1 to turn it on, set it to 0 to turn it off, or delete the value to let Windows manage it automatically. In every case, fully close and reopen Edge afterwards so it picks up the change.