Web Page to PDF function force you to install Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime

Forum for the PDF-XChange Editor - Free and Licensed Versions

Moderators: PDF-XChange Support, Daniel - PDF-XChange, Chris - PDF-XChange, Sean - PDF-XChange, Paul - PDF-XChange, Vasyl - PDF-XChange, Ivan - Tracker Software, Stefan - PDF-XChange

Logilink
User
Posts: 56
Joined: Mon May 01, 2017 12:22 pm

Web Page to PDF function force you to install Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime

Post by Logilink »

Hi, after using Web Page to PDF function this Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime has been installed. I didn't have it installed and I don't want it.
How to uninstall it? None of solutions works.
It was a bad idea to choose a browser for such a function that takes up over 1gb and integrates with the system so that it cannot be uninstalled :x
Last edited by Logilink on Fri Jul 28, 2023 3:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Stefan - PDF-XChange
Site Admin
Posts: 19913
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 8:07 am

Re: How to uninstall runtime environment Microsoft edge webview2

Post by Stefan - PDF-XChange »

Hello Logilink,

Do you believe that our products installed this webview2? If you remove our products - they should remove anything that was initially deployed to your machine by our installation packages.

Kind regards,
Stefan
Logilink
User
Posts: 56
Joined: Mon May 01, 2017 12:22 pm

Re: How to uninstall Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime

Post by Logilink »

Yes, it was installed with installer that I couldn't even stop right after I used Web Page to PDF function.

These folders were created after the installation:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate
D:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\EdgeCore
D:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\EdgeWebView
Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime and Microsoft Update added to the system apps without an option to uninstall.
This process is used in the background by PDFXChange when converting to pdf is in progress
D:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\EdgeWebView\Application\115.0.1901.188\msedgewebview2.exe
Related tasks have been added to the system Task Schedule, new items added to Local group policy and so on, a lot of new entries in the registry.
PDFXChange installer don't have this browser included, so it can't be uninstalled by it.

I didn't have that all and don't know how to clean this mess without corrupting the system.
User avatar
Paul - PDF-XChange
Site Admin
Posts: 7370
Joined: Wed Mar 25, 2009 10:37 pm

Re: Web Page to PDF function force you to install Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime

Post by Paul - PDF-XChange »

Hi, Logilink

yes, it is used for the "Create from Web Page" functionality. We used to use "webkit" but it had issues we hope to address with this change. I believe we give a warning and ask for permission before installing it. I shall check that. From the sound of things yo did not see any option to say no?

I will also ask the dev team how one might remove it.

Kind regards,
Paul - Tracker Supp
Best regards

Paul O'Rorke
PDF-XChange Support
http://www.pdf-xchange.com
User avatar
PHK
User
Posts: 1400
Joined: Tue Nov 24, 2020 4:02 pm

Re: Web Page to PDF function force you to install Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime

Post by PHK »

Paul - Tracker Supp wrote: Fri Jul 28, 2023 5:33 pm Hi, Logilink

yes, it is used for the "Create from Web Page" functionality. We used to use "webkit" but it had issues we hope to address with this change. I believe we give a warning and ask for permission before installing it. I shall check that. From the sound of things yo did not see any option to say no?

I will also ask the dev team how one might remove it.

Kind regards,
Paul - Tracker Supp
If this was installed as part of the V.371 pack which I accessed a week ago, there was no opt-out offered. I don't mind; just reporting.
All best,

FringePhil
User avatar
Paul - PDF-XChange
Site Admin
Posts: 7370
Joined: Wed Mar 25, 2009 10:37 pm

Re: Web Page to PDF function force you to install Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime

Post by Paul - PDF-XChange »

Hi, PHK

it was there since 370, but it is not supposed to be silent as I understand.

Investigating now.

Kind regards,
Paul - Tracker Supp
Best regards

Paul O'Rorke
PDF-XChange Support
http://www.pdf-xchange.com
User avatar
Paul - PDF-XChange
Site Admin
Posts: 7370
Joined: Wed Mar 25, 2009 10:37 pm

Re: Web Page to PDF function force you to install Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime

Post by Paul - PDF-XChange »

Hi, Paul - Tracker Supp

On checking this I can confirm that we are not prompting to install WebView, we will change that so you are prompted.

You should be able to remove it from the system via the Control Panel:
image(1).png
image.png
It successfully uninstalled for me on Win10. What Version of Windows are you running?

Kind regards,
Paul - Tracker Supp
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Best regards

Paul O'Rorke
PDF-XChange Support
http://www.pdf-xchange.com
Logilink
User
Posts: 56
Joined: Mon May 01, 2017 12:22 pm

Re: Web Page to PDF function force you to install Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime

Post by Logilink »

Yes, I didn't have any option to say no to install this browser and it was build 371 on Windows 11.

I don't have Uninstall, just Change in Programs and Features.
Logilink
User
Posts: 56
Joined: Mon May 01, 2017 12:22 pm

Re: Web Page to PDF function force you to install Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime

Post by Logilink »

Paul - Tracker Supp wrote: Fri Jul 28, 2023 5:59 pm You should be able to remove it from the system via the Control Panel:

image(1).png
Did you install this after using the Web Page to PDF feature?
If so, is it on partition C or another (program folders EdgeCore and EdgeWebView)?
User avatar
Daniel - PDF-XChange
Site Admin
Posts: 11252
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2018 6:52 pm

Re: Web Page to PDF function force you to install Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime

Post by Daniel - PDF-XChange »

Hello, Logilink

it seems that it is indeed required by us for this conversion process, and installs automatically (edge bypasses the need to prompt if you ignore/miss the popup). We have also confirmed that for some reason windows 11 prevents the uninstallation, I am unsure why they do so when it can easily be removed in windows 10 machines, but in any case, the simple fact is if you use this features of ours it will be reinstalled and this is not something we can change at this time.

As it is needed by our software, and the removal is prevented by your version of windows, I am afraid that say that there is nothing I can really do to help here.

Kind regards,
Dan McIntyre - Support Technician
PDF-XChange Co. LTD

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Our Web site domain and email address has changed as of 26/10/2023.
https://www.pdf-xchange.com
Support@pdf-xchange.com