Why Dell needs Edge browser?

Hi 2261940:

What version of SupportAssist is shown at Control Panel | Programs | Programs and Features, and has your Dell service warranty expired yet?

What is your Dell computer model, Windows OS [open a Run dialog box (Windows key + R) and enter winver to find the version and OS build number] and BIOS version?  To find your current BIOS version open a Run dialog box, enter msinfo32 to open your System Information, and look for the field named "BIOS Version / Date" in the summary.

I don't disagree with your opinion of MS Edge (Firefox is my default browser), but according to spudd57's 16-May-2024 topic Support assist will not open since being updated the required component for SupportAssist was Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime, not the MS Edge browser itself.  That WebView2 Runtime as not been a component of my MS Edge browser since November 2024 - see the 14-Nov-2024 announcement <here> for MS Edge 131.0.2903.48, which states "Announcement: Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime will no longer appear in the Installed Apps list in Windows Settings because it's a persistent system component".  I assume this was done because many users who performed a forced uninstall of MS Edge were damaging other third-party software that still required the WebView2 Runtime to run correctly, so if you have a Win 10 or Win 11 OS the WebView2 Runtime should be included as a standard component of your operating system.  See the 26-Nov-2024 Tech-Issues Today article Here's why Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime is missing from your Apps and features list for more information.

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Just FYI, I removed all SupportAssist-related software from my Inspiron 5584 after my service warranty expired because they were too buggy, consumed too much RAM and CPU, and and the "system optimization" scans in SupportAssist (Clean Files / Tune Performance / Optimize Network) were too aggressive and had the potential to do more harm than good. See my 08-Feb-2025 post in ygil's BSOD Issues After Windows Updates for suggestions for replacing Dell's SupportAssist-related software with more reliable third-party utilities.

Unfortunately, the newly re-designed Dell Update v5.0.0 apps have gone down the same path as SupportAssist [see my 25-Apr-2025 topic Dell Update v5.5.0 (rel. 01-Apr-2025) Installs Unnecessary Bloat] so I've recently removed the Dell Update for Windows Universal v5.5.0 app recommended on my Inspiron 5584 support page as well. 

If necessary I can still enter my unique Service Tag at https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/products, which re-directs me to the support page for my Inspiron 5584, and the Downloads& Drivers tab will display a filtered list of Dell software and driver updates that match my system components.  The only drawback is that I can't run a check for available (missing) updates at Driver Updates | Scan Now on that support page (that Scan Now button isn't functional if SupportAssist is not installed), but that's not a concern for me since my Inspiron 5584 is five years old and rarely receives BIOS or driver updates from Dell these days.
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Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.6093 * Firefox v140.0.4 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.25050.5-1.1.25050.6 * Microsoft Edge v138.0.3351.83 * Malwarebytes Premium v5.3.4.202-136.0.5312 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783 * My Dell v2.2.6.0 * Fusion Service 2.2.14.0

Sorry, I'm late, but thanks Imacri for all your detailed response. 
My Dell computer is brand new and running the awful Windows 11. Everything is up to date and of course configured to my liking. As you know, I (and the most experienced users who use Windows) disable all Windows bloatware and that includes Edge.
But that's not the point. The question is why does Dell engineers make a tool that requires Edge to run. Is it by any chance necessary for Dell to make our lives miserable like Microsoft always does?

... As you know, I (and the most experienced users who use Windows) disable all Windows bloatware and that includes Edge. But that's not the point. The question is why does Dell engineers make a tool that requires Edge to run.

Hi 2261940:

Are you certain MS Edge is still a system requirement for the latest SupportAssist v4.8.x?  For example, are you seeing a runtime error message like the one spudd57 posted about in their 16-May-2024 topic Support assist will not open since being updated that stated "A suitable version of Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime was not detected"?

The latest SupportAssist release notes posted <here> are for v4.6.1 (released October 2024), and the prerequisites listed <here> in those outdated release notes do say that Chrome or MS Edge are a system requirement.  However, I noted in my post <above> that Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime was moved out of the MS Edge browser in November 2024 and that the WebView2 Runtime is now built in to the Windows OS, so it's always possible Chrome or MS Edge are no longer required for SupportAssist v4.8.2 (released April 2025) and higher.

It should also be much easier for users living in the European Economic Area (EEA) to uninstall MS Edge now that the Digital Markets Act (DMA) has come into effect (see the June 2025 Microsoft blog Updates to Windows for the Digital Markets Act for more information), so I hope Dell as taken this into account when designing newer versions of SupportAssist.

If your Dell service warranty hasn't expired yet I'd suggest you contact Dell customer support by clicking the blue Get Help Now button in the bottom-right corner of each page on the forum to start a Live Chat and ask them if Chrome or MS Edge are still required for the latest SupportAssist v4.8.x (and if "yes", why a Chromium-based browser is required for SupportAssist).  After you type in your question an automated chat bot will ask for your email address and the unique Service Tag of your Dell computer.  Once it confirms you still have a valid service warranty it should connect you to a live customer service rep. If you don't get a satisfactory answer to your questions then ask them how you can send feedback directly to the SupportAssist software developers.

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Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.6093 * Firefox v140.0.4 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.25050.5-1.1.25050.6 * Malwarebytes Premium v5.3.4.202-136.0.5312 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783 * My Dell v2.2.6.0 * Fusion Service 2.2.14.0