New Windows 10 updates are force installing Microsoft Edge

Whether you want it or not, Microsoft is rolling out two new mandatory Windows 10 updates that force installs the new Chromium-based Microsoft Edge.

For some time, Microsoft has stated that they would roll out updates to replace Microsoft Edge Legacy with their new Microsoft Edge browser.

Microsoft continues to keep its promise and is rolling out two new updates that will install the new browser into Windows 10 and remove the old version.

The Windows 10 '2020-08 Microsoft Edge Update for Windows 10 version 2004 (KB4576754)' update is targeting Windows 10 versions 1809, 1903, 1909, and 2004.

A second update named KB4576753 is exclusively for Windows 10 1803 and will also install the new Microsoft Edge.

After the updates are installed, Microsoft Edge 84.0.522.68 will be installed. Microsoft Edge 85.0.564.51 is the latest version, and it will be installed after the first time you start the browser.

This is not the first time Microsoft has issued an update to install the new Microsoft Edge, as they released KB4559309 in July 2020.

According to the support bulletin for these updates, the following changes will occur when they are installed:

• Start menu pins, tiles, and shortcuts for the current version of Microsoft Edge will migrate to the new Microsoft Edge.
• Taskbar pins and shortcuts for the current version of Microsoft Edge will migrate to the new Microsoft Edge.
• The new Microsoft Edge will be pinned to the taskbar. If the current version of Microsoft Edge is already pinned, it will be replaced.
• The new Microsoft Edge will add a shortcut to the desktop. If the current version of Microsoft Edge already has a shortcut, it will be replaced.
• By default, most protocols that Microsoft Edge handles will be migrated to the new Microsoft Edge.
• The current version of Microsoft Edge will be hidden from UX surfaces in the OS. This includes settings, applications, and any file or protocol support dialog boxes.
• Trying to start the current version of Microsoft Edge will redirect to the new Microsoft Edge.
• The First Run Experience (FRE) will auto-launch the first time that a device restarts after the new Microsoft Edge is installed. This does not occur on devices joined to a Domain, Active Directory, Azure AD nor on Windows 10 Enterprise and Surface Hub Editions.
• Data from earlier versions of Microsoft Edge (such as passwords, favorites, open tabs) will be available in the new Microsoft Edge.
• The new Microsoft Edge does not support the removal of this update.

While Microsoft says that you cannot remove the new Microsoft Edge installed via this update, this is not entirely true.

You can still remove the new Microsoft Edge using the command line with the following commands:

cd C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\[latest_version]\Installer
setup.exe --uninstall --system-level --verbose-logging --force-uninstall

As each new Microsoft Edge Stable version is released, we should expect to see a new update pushing the browser out to Windows 10 users who do not have it installed.

If you do not want this browser, you can follow these instructions to prevent the update from being installed.

While some may want to resist, my advice is to let the update be installed. The new Microsoft Edge is far superior to the older Legacy version.

H/T Techdows.com