The old Microsoft Edge is now called 'Edge Legacy'
New is normal and old is legacy when it comes to Microsoft Edge.
What you need to know
- A Microsoft support document refers to the older EdgeHTML-based Microsoft Edge as "Edge Legacy."
- The Chromium-based Microsoft Edge is just called "Microsoft Edge."
- The clarification should make things easier as Edge Legacy gets older.
Microsoft has two versions of Microsoft Edge, and that can cause confusion when it comes to names. Most people have referred to the Chromium version of Edge as "the new Microsoft Edge" and specified if instead referring to the older version of Edge. Now, a support document from Microsoft refers to the EdgeHTML-based version of Microsoft Edge as "Microsoft Edge Legacy." The newer Chromium-based Microsoft Edge is just that, "Microsoft Edge."
The clarification will make things easier as Microsoft Edge Legacy becomes older and less used. This change will be particularly useful for enterprise and IT where precise wording is needed to solve administrative issues or file support tickets.
It doesn't make much sense to call the Chromium version of the browser "the new Microsoft Edge" forever or to have to always specify if referring to the Chromium or EdgeHTML versions of the browser. Eventually, there will just be one Microsoft Edge in regular use, so people should get used to that name now.
Microsoft Edge Legacy is still the default browser on Windows 10 PCs, but Microsoft is pushing people towards Microsoft Edge (the new one that we won't have to refer to as new going forward).
Microsoft Edge has earned positive reviews on Windows 10 and macOS alike. It's also available on Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1. It renders websites well and works with Chrome extensions, which greatly expands the browser's functionality.
One of the most useful new features of the new Microsoft Edge is the ability to install progressive web apps. This allows you to create dedicated windows and Start Menu icons for progressive web apps like Disney+, Hulu, and Kindle Cloud Reader.
How to install Disney Plus as a Windows 10 app
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Microsoft continues to add features to Microsoft Edge. Recently, Microsoft rolled out Collections to the beta version of Microsoft Edge.

Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.
Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.
