Prevent the automatic installation of WebView2 Runtime As for updates, WebView2 Runtime uses its own automatic update process, separate from the update channel used by Microsoft 365 Apps, to keep WebView2 updated with the latest security and reliability updates. In earlier versions of Windows, it is installed automatically for users with modern versions of Microsoft Office for the specific purpose of running Office applications and the components embedded in the apps, built on the basis of web frameworks.įor PC users looking to benefit from the new or improved Office features or add-ins that rely on WebView2, no user action/input is required – as soon as WebView2 is available on the device, the component will automatically be installed. In Windows 11, the component is installed on the system by default.

WebView2 uses Microsoft Edge as a rendering engine. Microsoft Edge WebView2 is a Runtime installation used to provide web-based features in Microsoft 365 desktop applications that Microsoft began installing on Windows devices earlier this year.

In this post, we demystify what is Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime in Windows. Windows 11/10 users have reported seeing Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime item in the list of programs in the Control Panel or in the list of applications in Settings, as well as in Task Manager under Processes.

Microsoft edge webview2 runtime safe