How to run legacy alongside Chromium version of Microsoft Edge on Windows 10

Did you still want to run the old version of Microsoft Edge? Use these steps to access the legacy version after the release of the Chromium version of Edge.

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@Pureinfotech
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Enable old version of Microsoft Edge on Windows 10
Enable old version of Microsoft Edge on Windows 10

Starting January 15, 2020, the version of Microsoft Edge based on the Chromium engine is expected to release and begin rolling out to devices running Windows 10 through Windows Update, replacing the legacy version of the browser.

However, if for some reason, you prefer to continue using the old version, Microsoft has published a documentation page explaining that after the installation of the Chromium version of Edge, the legacy version will be hidden from the user rather than removed. This means that you can get the Group Policy Editor to re-enable the browser to run it alongside the Chromium version of Edge.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to enable the legacy version of Microsoft Edge when the new Chromium version installs automatically through Windows Update.

How to enable legacy version of Microsoft Edge

To enable the legacy version of Microsoft Edge when the new Chromium version installs automatically, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.

  2. Search for gpedit and click the top result to open the Group Policy Editor app.

  3. Browse the following path:

    Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Microsoft Edge Update > Applications

  4. On the right side, double-click the Allow Microsoft Edge Side by Side browser experience policy.

  5. Select the Enabled option.

  6. Click the Apply button. 

  7. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, you’ll be able to run the older version and the new version based on the Chromium engine side by side.

Although Microsoft recommends to change this settings before the rollout of Chromium Edge, at the time of this writing, the “Microsoft Edge Update” settings may or may not be available in the Group Policy Editor.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].