Microsoft Details Its Migration Plans for the New Microsoft Edge

Microsoft quietly released some new documentation recently, detailing how the company plans to launch its new Chrome-based Microsoft Edge browser. The company has been working on this new browser for a little while, and we are less than a month away from the public release.

Microsoft’s new Edge browser is set to launch publicly on January 15, 2020. The company is now detailing how it plans to migrate the older Microsoft Edge browser to the next-gen Edge in Windows 10.

[ad unit=’in_content_premium_block’]

In a support document, Microsoft notes that the company will actually deliver the new Edge browser through an automatic update for Windows 10 users running version 1803 or newer. Those who don’t want to get the new Edge browser automatically through a Windows update can use a script that will prevent Windows from automatically installing the new Edge browser itself.

As for the migration process, Microsoft has detailed exactly how the new Edge browser will take the old Edge’s place. The changes here are pretty obvious, but it is still important to understand exactly how Microsoft is going to replace the older Edge browser on a technical level. Microsoft says it has already made changes to Windows 10 and the older Edge browser to support the migration.

• All start menu pins, tiles, and shortcuts for the current version of Microsoft Edge will migrate to the next version of Microsoft Edge.
• All taskbar pins and shortcuts for the current version of Microsoft Edge will migrate to the next version of Microsoft Edge.
• The next version of Microsoft Edge will be pinned to the taskbar. If the current version of Microsoft Edge is already pinned, it will be replaced.
• The next version of Microsoft Edge will add a shortcut to the desktop. If the current version of Microsoft Edge already has a shortcut, it will be replaced.
• Most protocols that Microsoft Edge handles by default will be migrated to the next version of Microsoft Edge.
• Current Microsoft Edge will be hidden from all UX surfaces in the OS, including settings, all apps, and any file or protocol support dialogs.
• All attempts to launch the current version of Microsoft Edge will redirect to the next version of Microsoft Edge.

January 15 is going to be a big day for the Microsoft Edge team. They have so far done a great job with this new browser, so if they nail the public launch, it’s only going to get better from here onwards.