Microsoft will remove the old legacy version of Microsoft Edge from all Windows PCs on April 13. The Microsoft Edge will be removed if you accept the new security patch, which rolls out on April 13 via Windows Update. Microsoft pushed a new version of Microsoft Edge as part of the Windows 10 October 2020 update.
According to reports, all versions of Windows will be affected after the installation of the patch right from version 1803 through version 20H2. The following Windows 10 versions will be affected on April 13, 2021. You should note that Windows 10 20H2 already makes use of the new Microsoft Edge and will not be reinstalled. The Microsoft Edge legacy will be completely removed on those PCs with the following Windows editions.
- Windows 10, version 1803, all editions (April 2018)
- Windows 10, version 1809, all editions (October 2018)
- Windows 10, version 1903, all editions (May 2019)
- Windows 10, version 1909, all editions (October 2019)
- Windows 10, version 2004, all editions (May 2020)
- Windows 10, version 20H2, all editions (October 2020)
Microsoft will stop technical support for the Microsoft Edge legacy version on March 9. The web browser will not receive any security updates after that date. The Microsoft edge legacy version will be replaced with a new version of Microsoft Edge. You can’t keep the legacy version because the Windows Update will completely remove the older version. However, you can skip the installation of the patch if you desire.
Microsoft has warned users against skipping the update because the Windows cumulative monthly security update provides critical updates for the proper functioning of the Windows 10 operating system. The upcoming Windows Update on April 13 will only impact Windows 10 versions and not Windows 7 or Windows 8.X versions. If you have already installed Microsoft Edge, then only legacy version will be removed. The system will not perform reinstallation of the Microsoft Edge.
Microsoft Edge offers considerable improvements over the legacy version. The new Microsoft Edge is based on Chromium and hence you will have access to a wide range of plugins. The company added a password generator, which is not available with the legacy version. The Edge browser also includes PDF capabilities including a unique ebook reading experience.
The taskbar pins will not be affected as a result of the removal of the Microsoft Edge legacy version. Microsoft also revealed that the EdgeHTML rendering engine will continue to be supported in the full-blown Edge version. You can make use of WebView2 for the development of apps for the new Chromium-based Microsoft Edge.
