What I would do …
First
- Back up your user data
- Disable all extensions
- Remove all extensions
- Exit / Quit everything
- Restart computer
Then Thoroughly Un-install Brave Browser
I use the Uninstall Tool developed by CrystalIDEA Software: ‘https://crystalidea.com/uninstall-tool’
Or, uninstalling the Brave Browser application - procedure at:
‘Every time I open the browser it closes again directly - #20 by clifton’
Be sure to uninstall the Brave Browser updater, BraveUpdate.exe - procedure at:
‘Have to re-install Brave multiple times per day on Windows11 - #24 by mherrmann’
Clear current user temp folder:
del /f /s /q "%TEMP%\*.*"← one-linerfor /d %%D in ("%TEMP%\*") do rd /s /q "%%D"← one-liner
(Temp folder location → “C:\Users[UserName]\AppData\Local\Temp”)
Clear recent files list:
del /f /s /q "%USERPROFILE%\Recent\*.*"← one-liner
You can copy each of those command strings. Then paste each command string into the Windows OS Command Prompt window. If you are not certain how to do that, search online for instructions, examples, illustrations … for using the Command Prompt.
If you are uncertain about, where there is a SPACE character, copy the command string and paste that into a text editor window. You can then increase the font size, as well as use the left or right arrow keys to step through the command string, and thereby realize where the SPACE characters occur.
Be sure to restart the computer. I would do that, twice. When in doubt, restart the computer.
Then
- Go to Settings → Apps → Default apps
- Scroll down to Reset all default apps
- Click Reset
- Exit / Quit everything
- Restart computer
- Go to Settings → Apps → Default apps
- Review the settings; adjust settings as you wish.
All that, gets your Windows OS machine set up without Brave Browser.
Use the computer, and open and close files on all of your drives. “Wring it out.” So the operating system is focused on what is where, and the specific processes you want to open files.
ALL THAT, for a few days, before installing Brave Browser.