What you need to know
- Support for Microsoft Edge Legacy ends on March 9, 2021.
- Microsoft will remove the browser from Windows 10 with an update in April 2021.
- The old browser will be replaced by the newer Chromium-based Microsoft Edge.
Microsoft released the Chromium-based Microsoft Edge browser over a year ago. Now, the new Edge is set to fully replace Microsoft Edge Legacy. Support for Edge Legacy ends on March 9, 2021, and the old version of Edge will be removed from Windows 10 with an update in April 2021. The new Edge will replace Edge Legacy on Update Tuesday on April 13, 2021.
Many people already use the Chromium-based Edge. It's been generally available for over a year , and people have been able to easily install it from Microsoft's website. The new browser, however, has been rolled out gradually.
Microsoft explains how the new Edge will replace Edge Legacy in a Tech Community post (opens in new tab):
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.
The change will affect Windows 10 versions 1803 (Windows 10 April 2018 Update) and newer. Windows 7 and Windows 8.x devices won't be affected.
If you already have the new Edge, the update will just remove Edge Legacy.
You don't have to wait to get the new Edge. You can grab it now from Microsoft's website and enjoy features like support for Chrome extensions. While the new Edge doesn't have every single feature from the old Edge, Microsoft updates it regularly and frequently adds new features.
Microsoft Edge
A worthy browser.
The new Microsoft Edge runs on Chromium, supports popular extensions, and regularly gets new features from Microsoft.
Sean Endicott is the news writer for Windows Central. If it runs Windows, is made by Microsoft, or has anything to do with either, he's on it. Sean's been with Windows Central since 2017 and is also our resident app expert. If you have a news tip or an app to review, hit him up at sean.endicott@futurenet.com.
