Remove IE 11 and Edge legacy

Goto Control Panel - Programs and Features
There you should find Edge
Under "Turn on Windows features on or off", you can remove IE 

Here's a screenshot I took to accompany Bembi's response and help. I am not on the same W10 version on this station, but you can see IE 11 is checked for me and there. Through the Windows features management section of the Control Panel you can uncheck what you want to turn off, remove or disable:

How about Legacy Edge? Also would that cause any problems by uninstalling them? Finally aren't the windows updates suppose to remove them since they are no longer supported.
Thank you,
Basem Khawaja 

What version is your Windows OS when going to System Info via a search - just share the version  and build number listed i.e.  not all names and info below it.  Or did you just update recently all the way to 20H2?  Whenever I launch IE 11 on i.e. a fairly new workstation, one of the ones I have that I shared the screenshot from, it directs me to the new Edge. "April 13, 2021" according to TechNet Community was the replacement or shows the time line discussed and I believe March was mentioned here, you can refer to the Q&A announcement 

• https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-365-blog/new-microsoft-edge-to-replace-microsoft-edge-legacy-with-april-s/ba-p/2114224

No problems, since they are not supported and outdated, nor will IE 11 receive any security updates\patches in the future. - obsolete and everyone should proceed to leveraging Ege.

Hi Jazz,

Can you please indicate what box to check to remove the Edge Legacy from the interface? This is the third time I am asking and still not getting an answer.

Thank you,
Basem Khawaja

Sorry about that so to clarify on April 13th according to Microsoft that should have auto removed the Legacy version, or in March they completely halted all security updates for Legacy also. I believe also per their announcement. So if you follow Bembi's instructions above that is how you would remove IE 11 specifically. If you launch IE 11 right now and navigate around that old browser, it should keep directing you to the new Edge version that replaced also as they're trying to push users away from even launching it as they've ended support and security patches for it. You should be on the correct version of Edge, so are you seeing only Internet Explorer 11 when you go to turn features off per the example screenshot above?

Hi Jazz,

IE 11 does not redirect me to Edge. Also, Legacy Edge is not listed as a box to uncheck again. There is a legacy Components but I don't want to uncheck it before making sure that's the right box to uncheck. I am attaching screen captures of the app defaults to show you the 2 apps of Edge and IE 11.
Thank you Jazz,

Basem Khawaja

You may be able to uninstall the Edge version you don't need via "Settings", "Apps & Features", find the Edge App, click on it & see if the "Uninstall" button can be clicked.

Also, if I'm not mistaken, if you upgrade to Windoze 10 21H20, then the old Edge version should be removed automatically. You should also be able to remove IE11 the same way, although that can also be done via the Control Panel as has been mentioned earlier.

The "Legacy Components", "DirectPlay" that got mentioned earlier is something completely different. As far as I know it has something to do with DirectX and gaming...

Thanks rindi! I believe you're definitely right about the Legacy Components confusing in its name is misleading entirely tied to obsolete gaming and "DirectX." which I don't use either.

How do I upgrade to windows 10 21H20? Also, I do I need to go back and install it heck the boxes for legacy component?
Thank you,
Basem Khawaja 

"Settings", "Update & Security", " Windows Update". It will probably show up as something like "Feature Update, Windows 10 21H20". If there are other updates that haven't yet been done, I suggest doing those first.

 An alternative would be to download the iso file directly from the M$ site, the mount the iso within windoze & run the setup file.

If you don't use any ancient games, or if theymnall run fine, I'd leave direct play unchecked.

Let me work on that and I will let you know.

Thank you,
Basem Khawaja

Hi Basem,

As requested, I've looked into removing the Microsoft Edge Legacy version from Windows 10, however, have been unsuccessful in finding any method I could recommend doing because of being unsure what effect removal of some of the system files involved could cause to the stability of your Windows installation.

Because of that, I'd suggest you disable, rather than try to manually uninstall Microsoft Edge Legacy.

I found a way of doing that quite easily on my own machine and after restarting Windows 10 several times and doing a variety of tests, have found that there are no ill effects as a result of doing the following.

Open Windows File Explorer and browse to the following location:

C:\Windows\SystemApps

Locate the folder named Microsoft.ECApp_8wekyb3d8bbwe, right-click it and select rename.

Rename the Microsoft.ECApp_8wekyb3d8bbwe folder to Microsoft.ECApp_8wekyb3d8bbwe-Legacy and press your Enter key



You will get the following two prompts that you will need to confirm by clicking the buttons I've pointed to with red arrows.





Once those prompts are out of the way, you will end up with that folder renamed as shown below.



Done.

Microsoft Edge Legacy is now disabled.

In so far as the Legacy Components and DirectPlay Windows Features, I've always had those turned off and haven't found myself not being able to do anything as a result, so you can clear those boxes if you like, click OK and allow Windows to uninstall them.



You'll probably notice that I have "Internet Explorer 11" checked on. That's only because I do a lot of Browser comparison testing so I've elected to keep it installed. It's not needed on your machine, so you can feel free to also uncheck that item before you click OK so that Windows will remove IE 11 for you as well. I personally find it handy to keep installed for a variety of testing purposes I often do when comparing browsers and their performance on different websites.

Finally, once you complete the above, if you still have an Icon for Microsoft Edge Legacy on your desktop or taskbar, you can feel free to delete it by dragging it to your recycle bin or unpinning it from your Taskbar.

Give the above a go and let me know how you go. Nothing bad happened here and I'm running two different versions of Windows 10.

One copy in a Virtual Machine (VM) that is still Version 1809 (OS Build 17763.1577) and the copy of Windows 10 on my main Work Machine which is Version 21H1 (OS Build 19043.1110). The above process I've described was tested on both with no ill effects.

The source of the above instructions was this video from the Windows Club website: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soHV9pmmoKE - You can view this video to see the entire process I've documented above being done by the presenter as well.

Hope that's helpful.

Regards, Andrew

Hi, the MS Edge Legacy Version is overwritten by the actual edge version.
But you can also download it
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge
You get offers for download dependend from your OS...

If you got it via Windows Feature Update, you may also find a yellow arrow at the top right corner to indicate, that there is something to update.
As far as you have the actual edge, you find it in conrtol panel or under settings - apps

How to remove the latests Edge depends from the way you have got it.
https://www.windowscentral.com/how-remove-microsoft-edge-windows-10

Bembi,

Thank you the info you provided. I never wanted to remove the Microsoft Edge. I only wanted to remove the MS Edge LEGACY as you can see it is listed in the screen capture that I had posted. I followed the instruction's to uncheck the boxes for the legacy Components and the Direct Play from apps and features and I did the updates that you mentioned and it is still there. What else can I do to get rid of it?

Thank you,
Basem Khawaja

MS Edge Lagacy is replaced by MS Edge Cromium. There is no need to unistall it as far as you have updated to the new edge.

Yes, as stated earlier it should have been auto-removed Edge Legacy and your should have the current version. The Legacy Components section you're referring to often pertains to an old obsolete gaming "DirectX" as rindi said which causes confusion. You can uncheck as I did earlier and uncheck IE 11, but for IE 11 you can keep it or leave as is Microsoft just advises IE 11 be removed by June 15th of next year. https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/29220185/Remove-IE-11-and-Edge-legacy.html#a43313876 So you can uncheck Legacy Components, leave IE and also you have the ability to see your Edge Chromium version in settings as I showed. IE 11 did not fully remove for me, but I unchecked it in Windows feature on or off. 

That was a typo, it should read 21H1. On my system there is no Edge Legacy, only Edge.

Hi Basem,

I'd strongly suggest you do not uninstall Microsoft Edge, even if it is available for uninstalling in the Add or Remove Programs list in Windows 10. (Feel free to disable Edge Legacy or remove Internet Explorer 11 using the method I described earlier though)

Microsoft has a tendency of tying their browsers into their Operating Systems quite deeply and if "removed", it could affect and cause problems for other features of Windows 10 that you may want to use in the future. Disabling is fine, deleting the shortcuts is fine, but I would discourage you from uninstalling Edge completely if that's what you're now considering doing.

Just my opinion based on my experiences. Take it as you like :)

Best regards, Andrew

Hi Basem,

I did what you asked and I still see it listed in the default apps as an option.

Can you still help me with removing it from there?

Sure thing. Can you please post a pic of what you're seeing and what you mean by "Default Apps" as well as put an arrow on the pic on the entry you want to remove?

There are 2 listings for the MS Edge in the default apps. One that has a blue square icon and one with the Classic MS Edge icon. I want to get rid off the Blue Icon. I hope this helps clarify things.

I may be misunderstanding, so if you could post those pics (or create a small video explaining would be even better) I'm sure we can get rid of the entry for you.

Thanks, Andrew

Hi Andrew,

Here are the screen captures that you had asked for.
Thank you,
Basem Khawaja

Andrew,

I noticed that some of the screen captures were chopped off. Here they are again.

Can someone help me with a solution please?
Andrew was helping me but I have not seen him following up with the question. 

Thank you,
Basem Khawaja

On my System I have that Icon too, but if I set that as default, then open Windoze Explorer, and enter a Web URL in the location part, it opens Edge, & if I then go to "Settings & More", "Help & Feedback", "About Microsoft Edge", I can see that I'm using the Chrome based browser (it say that on that Page). It also tells you the exact version, which you can make a note of.

If I then change to the colourful Edge Icon in the Default apps, & again enter a Web-Page Address in Wondoze Explorer, then repeat the entries above, I get the exact same results.

This means Edge Legacy is gone. I only have that 2nd Icon, but it doesn't have any real meaning.

Hi Jazz,

let me try what you suggested and I will get back to you.

Thank you,

Basem Khawaja

Hi jazz,

Unfortunately the suggestions that you had made did not solve the problem. I did the SFC/Scannow and there was file that was repaired due to corruption and I did the Microsoft Edge repair and restarted the PC and I checked in default apps and the blue square icon Edge was still there. Any other possible solutions that you can think of. It is very annoying to say the least to keep seeing the icon when infact it should not be there.
Thank you,
Basem Khawaja

I don't see the problem.

Even if you have that icon, it doesn't mean it represents Edge-Legacy. It is just an Icon. As I mentioned earlier, if you select it as "Default Browser" App, & if you then open Windows Explorer & enter something like http://google.com there, M$ Edge will open with that website, & if you then check the version of Edge that it has opened, it will be the new, Chrome based Edge, & not Edge Legacy.

If anything, it is a cosmetic issue, & not a big deal.

Maybe if you download the newest Windows 10 21H1 & then do a clean installation, then that icon might be gone. But I don't know if that is the case, as I haven't tried that.

Rindi,

First of all I apologize for any confusing the naming system might have caused with respect to Microsoft Edge and LEGACY. I was assuming that the blue square icon was Legacy when infact it was EDGE. As far as the Windows version download 21H1, I already had stated in my previous post that I already have that as my current version Windows 21H1.

"If anything, it is a cosmetic issue, & not a big deal."

I Understand that's you see it, but not everyone looks at things in the same perspective. It's a huge annoyance to me and if it was not I would not had posted my question on EE.
If I to UNINSTALL MS Edge and re-install it will I lose my favorites or will the favorites still be saved on MS Server when I re-INSTALL it?

Thank you rindi,
Basem Khawaja

I don't think you can remove Edge, as it is an integral part of the OS, & possibly many other things would stop working properly.

The only thing that may remove that icon I can think of, is to do a clean installation of windoze 10 21H1 (not an upgrade). Maybe use an empty HD & replace your current one with, then do the installation, & check whether the icon has gone.

 If that doesn't help you could ask directly @ M$ whether they have an official way to remove that icon.

Jazz,

I guess there are no more suggestions that can be offered here but to contact MS although from my own personal experience they don't seem to know what they are doing even the level II tech support. I feel EE has a much better group of people when it comes to solving problems. I will give them a chance just for the sake of argument. BTW, the URL issue was fixed when I selected internet browser. I will let you know what I was able to find out after speaking with them.

Thank you Jazz,

Basem Khawaja

Ok. Sounds good. 

rindi, Jazz


I have contacted microsoft( MS ) and what I was told that MS is leaving the blue square icon for now so that if someone wants to still download MS Edge Legacy then that's what that icon would be used for so that after the download it will show the the blue e symbol for Edge ( See Below ). I am highly doubtful that MS is still offering the MS Edge Legacy download on their website unless someone have the .exe installation file saved somewhere on some external media or their PC. The support had ended for MS Edge Legacy had ended as of 03/2021 after the initial announcement that was made back in 08/2020. I guess when I upgrade to Windows 11 hopefully that will be gone for good. I just thought you might be interested in learning about my finding after calling microsoft which was not a very easy thing to do.



Thank you,

Basem Khawaja

Thanks for sharing that Basem! Yes, I too hope when Windows 11 arrives that'll vanish for you.

Provided your hardware is compatible with windoze 11... None of the PC's I own currently are...