Startup: Windows opens many instances of Edge, each with "ERROR:file_io_win.cc(180)] CreateFile settings.dat: Access is denied. (0x5)"

I ran into the same issue, and have no reason for why. However, I managed to deal with it by opening the Task Manager (CTRL+SHIFT+ESC), going to the Startup tab, then Disabling each of the multiple Microsoft Edge instances.

I had the same issue in python - disabling Microsoft Edge instances in "Startup Apps" helped but new instances got created/turned on every time the program runs...

In python I added a driver option that seemed to fix the problem: driverOptions.add_experimental_option("excludeSwitches", ["enable-logging"]) (see https://stackoverflow.com/a/64146083/9825881)

For C# I haven't tested but the equivalent might be:

List<string> ls = new List<string>();
ls.Add("enable-logging");
ChromeOptions options = new ChromeOptions();
options.AddExcludedArguments(ls);

using (IWebDriver driver = new ChromeDriver("C:\\Program\\chromedriver", options)){
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@Deepak-MSFT

I get the pretty same issue:

OS: Windows 10 Pro, Version=2004, OS build=19041.508

Selenium WebDriver: 3.141.0

Visual Studio: VS2019, Version16.6.2

Edge Browser: Version 85.0.564.51 (Official build) (64-bit)

NugetPackage: Microsoft.Edge.SeleniumTools version 3.141.2

Some more info: I installed new Chromium Edge manually before Windows roll it out. And now is on latest Windows Update.

Update:

Use advance system care https://www.iobit.com/en/advancedsystemcarefree.php scan pc using asc go to startup and remove edge instances click fix issue see screenshot enter image description here