How to Stop WebView2 Crash Reports Filling Your Hard Drive
Question details
The user needs to stop Microsoft Edge WebView2 from generating endless crash reports that consume massive amounts of local hard drive space.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Using Office applications that rely on WebView2 in the background, causing excessive crash log generation.
- Observed behavior
- WebView2 continuously saves crash reports in the Microsoft Office Wef folder on Windows 10, rapidly filling up the user's hard drive space even if Edge is not directly in use.
Before proceeding, check your available hard drive space and confirm that the oversized crash log files are indeed located inside the Microsoft Office Wef folder.
Install the Latest Updates for Windows and Office
Keeping your system and applications updated ensures you have the latest bug fixes for WebView2 integration, preventing infinite crash loops.
Since Microsoft 365 applications frequently rely on Microsoft Edge WebView2 for cloud features and modern add-ins, a bug in either software can trigger a continuous crash loop. Updating both the operating system and the Office suite is the most effective way to resolve this underlying compatibility issue.
Click the Start button, go to Settings > Update & Security, and click 'Check for updates' to install the latest system patches and WebView2 runtime updates.
Open any Office application like Word or Outlook. Go to File > Account (or Office Account), click on 'Update Options', and select 'Update Now'.
After all updates are downloaded and installed, reboot your PC to ensure all WebView2 and Office background services are properly refreshed.
Run an Online Repair for Microsoft Office
If the Office installation is corrupted, it might be calling WebView2 incorrectly. Running an Online Repair will reinstall the core files securely.
Delete Accumulated Crash Reports Manually
While updating fixes the root cause, you still need to manually clear the existing crash logs in the Wef folder to reclaim your hard drive space.
Tired of Office and WebView2 crashes? Try WPS Office
If Microsoft Office applications keep crashing and filling your drive with WebView2 logs, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a lightweight, stable, and entirely free alternative that provides robust performance without the heavy background processes that drain your system storage.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to complete the setup in minutes.
- 3. Open your files instantly: Double-click your existing Office documents to open and edit them seamlessly in WPS Office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Microsoft Office using WebView2 even when Edge is closed?
Modern Office applications like Outlook and Word use Microsoft Edge WebView2 as an embedded engine to render web-based features, cloud add-ins, and modern interfaces directly within the desktop app, regardless of whether you have the Edge browser open.
Can I just uninstall the Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime?
It is highly discouraged to uninstall the WebView2 Runtime. Many built-in Windows features and Microsoft 365 applications rely on it to function properly. Uninstalling it may break your Office applications or prevent them from launching entirely.
Where exactly is the Microsoft Office Wef folder located?
The Wef (Web Extension Framework) folder is typically hidden inside your local AppData directory. You can find it by navigating to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Wef\ in File Explorer.
