How to run the old Edge alongside the new Microsoft Edge

If you’ve decided to (or are thinking about) installing Microsoft’s new Chromium-based Edge browser, you should be aware that it will replace the “old” Microsoft Edge legacy on your Windows 10 PC. The Taskbar icon, the icon on the desktop, and the Start Menu links for the legacy Microsoft Edge will all be gone upon install of Microsoft’s latest browser.

This is by design, as Microsoft’s new Edge browser is much more modern and comes with better features when compared to legacy Edge. Microsoft essentially wants to put its new browser front and center and “hide” the legacy browser. However, that doesn’t mean that the old Edge was removed entirely from your PC. It’s still there, and with a few tweaks, you can still access the old legacy Edge. Here’s how.

Use the Microsoft Edge Insider Beta channel instead

The methods we are about to describe here involve tweaking with the group policy editor in Windows 10 before you install the new Edge. It’s a straightforward process, but it might not be for you if you’re a novice with Windows. That’s why the easiest way of running the old legacy Edge alongside the new Microsoft Edge is to simply not install the final version of the new Edge browser.

Instead, you should visit the Edge Insider page and download the browser from the Edge beta channel. By downloading from the Edge Beta channel, you’ll be able to keep the old Microsoft Edge right alongside the new Microsoft Edge without worry. Please be aware, though, that the Edge Beta channel is a work in progress, so there might be some bugs in the experience. Microsoft does assure users, however, that this channel is the safest and stable as it only gets updated every six weeks.

Try the Group Policy Editor

If you’re a more experienced Windows 10 user, you can run the old legacy Microsoft Edge alongside the new Microsoft Edge by changing a few things inside the Group Policy Editor. This will only work in Windows 10 Pro or Windows 10 Enterprise, as the Group Policy Editor is not available in Windows 10 Home. So, if your PC is up and running with Windows 10 Home, try our method above, instead.

Anyway, this method involves changing a setting option which is turned on by default after the new Microsoft Edge is installed. Keep in mind, this method only works before you install the new Edge. You might be able to do it after the new Edge is installed, but this method is recommended by Microsoft to be done before installation, as it is designed to help enterprises prepare for New Edge deployments.

1. Open the Group Policy Editor by searching for it with the Windows 10 search box
2. Under Computer Configuration, go to Administrative Temples, click Microsoft Edge Update, and then click Applications
3. Under Applications, select the option for Allow Microsoft Edge Side by Side browser experience
4. Click Edit Policy Setting
5. Select Enabled and then click OK

If you happen to try this tweak after the new Ege is installed, it won’t take into effect after the installer for the new Microsoft Edge is run again. This installer can be run directly or automatically when the new Edge updates.

Some notes

Once you finish the steps above, you’ll need to re-pin Microsoft Edge Legacy to the Start Menu or the Taskbar. The pin is migrated when the new version of Microsoft Edge is deployed. You’ll also need to be aware of the fact that sites that were pinned to Start to the Taskbar for Microsoft Edge Legacy will also be migrated to the new version of Edge. Learn more about this process at Microsoft by clicking here. And, feel free to keep it tuned to OnMSFT for all your Microsoft Edge news and information.