Figure out how to preserve behavior of WebView2 when uninstalling Edge

[nopeless]

It appears that WebView2 is necessary for certain tools and applications

Visual Studio Community version when installing certain components require WebView2

Notable ones include PWA apps such as Snapchat and Instagram. They straight out fail due to "unknown reasons" but is easily fixable by reinstalling Edge

@LeDragoX Can you replicate this behavior?

Stock windows -> Remove Edge -> Install any PWA app from ms store

[LeDragoX]

I'm using Hyper-V to create a Windows 11 Pro install. Sorry, I only had a portuguese ISO, but shouldn't be a problem.

Edge Uninstalled

• Logged out the user and entered again.
• Edge shortcuts and in Control panel weren't available anymore.
• Proceeded to install Instagram App and failed.
  

Couldn't install Edge via script GUI.

Force updated the apps

• This was needed as Winget wasn't working, then ended updating App Installer.
  

• Installed Firefox through GUI

• Downloaded Edge manually from: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge/download?form=MA13FJ

• Edge is working once again

Was able to install Instagram again.

[nopeless]

Shouldn't it be possible to uninstall edge but still use webview2?

[LeDragoX]

Yes, it's possible, they are 2 components aparted from each other. I'll do this.

[ulises2k]

The Instagram application is a "Fake". It's just a browser link to go to the official website. The Instagram app is just the Edge browser with the Instagram website.

[nopeless]

you mean its a PWA? not sure what you mean by fake

either way, if thats how ms store implements web apps i believe you need to mention it somewhere

[LeDragoX]

Widgets still working, but had to keep the EdgeCore and EdgeWebView on C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\.

Still unable to install Instagram/Facebook (AKA PWA apps), as it requires Edge to be installed, this was a headache to do, but finally with some different results.

[nopeless]

thank you for investigating, keep me updated

[LeDragoX]

I tried my best to find a way to keep EdgeWebView2, but it's not possible, because the moment you uninstall Edge, it breaks its connection with WebView2, but at least keeping it's files from C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\EdgeCore and EdgeWebView, didn't broke Widgets on taskbar. I want to merge the commits til' this moment.

[nopeless]

understandable, how about disabling Edge update schedules, removing startup task, and removing it from start menu then? Additionally, what do you think about keeping the original "remove edge" button, but with a red background and a note that says ("will uninstall WebView2 and thus break many PWA applications")?