Microsoft is planning to remove the legacy Edge browser on Windows 10 PCs via the next monthly update. The Windows 10 “Patch Tuesday” update of April 13, 2021 will remove the legacy Edge and replace it with the new Microsoft Edge based on Chromium.
This is what Microsoft has noted in an update blog post on March 24. Microsoft also notes that this replacement of old Edge browser by the new one will also occur if you apply the optional Windows 10 March Preview (or “C”) release.
To replace this out of support application, we are announcing that the new Microsoft Edge
will be available as part of the Windows 10 cumulative monthly security update—otherwise referred to as the Update Tuesday (or “B”) release—on April 13, 2021. When you apply this update to your devices, the out of support Microsoft Edge Legacy desktop application will be removed and the new Microsoft Edge will be installed.
Microsoft had already announced end of support date for the old Microsoft Edge browser as March 9, 2021. After this date, Microsoft Edge Legacy stopped receiving security updates.
Microsoft has confirmed that all Windows 10 versions starting with and newer than version 1803 will be impacted by the April 13 update.
This will also be part of the optional Windows 10 March Preview (or “C”) release for the versions below unless otherwise indicated.
- Windows 10, version 1803, all editions (April 2018)
- Note: This version will not be included in the optional Windows 10 March Preview release. Microsoft Edge will now be included with the Windows 10 Update Tuesday (or “B”) release on May 11, 2021 for version 1803.
- Windows 10, version 1809, all editions (October 2018)
- Note: This version will not be included in the optional Windows 10 March Preview release. Instead, Microsoft Edge will be included in the optional Windows 10 April Preview release, followed by the Windows 10 Update Tuesday (or “B”) release on May 11, 2021, for version 1809.
- Windows 10, version 1903, all editions (May 2019)
- Note: This version is out of support for desktop
- Windows 10, version 1909, all editions (October 2019)
- Windows 10, version 2004, all editions (May 2020)
- Windows 10, version 20H2, all editions (October 2020)
- Because Windows 10, version 20H2 already uses the new Microsoft Edge as its default browser, it will not be reinstalled; only Microsoft Edge Legacy will be removed.
If you are already using the new Chromium based Edge browser the April 13 update won’t reinstall it.
If you want to learn more about the new Microsoft Edge you can read our full Microsoft Edge coverage by clicking here.
