Modern versions of Microsoft Edge will crash the system if its update services are disabled

[seanthegeek]

This isn't a CAPE issue, but I'm documenting and closing the issue here for anyone who has the same problem.

The Group Policy options for automatic updates in Microsoft Edge only apply to domain-joined systems, not when local Group Policy settings are used.

So, the only way to stop Microsoft Edge from updating to a system that is not joined to a domain is to disable the following services:

• Microsoft Edge Elevation Service (MicrosoftEdgeElevationService)
• Microsoft Edge Update Service (edgeupdate)
• Microsoft Edge Update Service (edgeupdatem)

However, on modern versions of Microsoft Edge, the entire system will crash when Microsoft Edge attempts to update itself when these services are disabled, including when reloading to the latest version of the Developer Tools, even if capemon is not running.

It is not which version of Microsoft Edge starts the issue.

A workaround is to use the version of Microsoft Edge that is included in Windows 10 21H2 (i.e., Microsoft Edge 92.0.902.67) and disable the aforementioned services to prevent Microsoft Edge from updating itself.