Windows 10 April updates remove Microsoft Edge Legacy permanently

Microsoft has announced today that Microsoft Edge Legacy will be permanently removed and replaced with the new Microsoft Edge after installing April’s Windows 10 Patch Tuesday security update.

"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," the Microsoft Edge Team said.

"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.

"This replacement will also occur if you apply the optional Windows 10 March Preview (or “C”) release."

Microsoft is providing a detailed support article on how to plan the deployment of the new Microsoft Edge in enterprise environments.

Those with 150 or more Windows 10 Enterprise paid seats can also request free guidance on how to plan, deploy, or adopt the new Microsoft Edge through the FastTrack service.

Microsoft sources told BleepingComputer that the new Microsoft Edge is considered an integral part of Windows 10 and part of the OS's overall security landscape.

Because of this, Microsoft wants to make sure that all Windows users are provided a more secure and higher-performance web browser with all default Windows 10 installations.

Microsoft officially released its Chromium-based Edge browser in January 2020, a new browser whose installer automatically replaces the legacy version on all devices after installation.

Mandatory Windows 10 updates force installing the new Microsoft Edge and removing the legacy version were previously rolled out in September 2020 to systems running Windows 10 versions 1809, 1903, 1909, and 2004.

Microsoft announced last year, in August 2020, that Microsoft Edge Legacy will no longer be supported starting with March 9th, 2021.

The new Microsoft Edge is also bundled with all new Windows devices and it is already rolling out automatically via Windows Update to all customers using Windows 10 1803 or later who upgrade to Windows 10 2004 or later.