You Don't Need To Install Edge Chromium On Windows 10 In 2020

Microsoft is all excited about the new Chromium-based Edge browser that is scheduled for a stable release on January 15, 2020.

If you want, you can install the Edge Chromium release candidate on your Windows 10 PC right now and give it a try.

It’s a known thing that the new Edge will be a part of Windows 10 after it’s general availability next year. That means any new machines shipping with Windows 10 will have the Edge Chromium already loaded, and the legacy Edge will be nowhere to be found.

For the existing users, Microsoft will automatically push Edge Chromium via Windows Update, although, the rollout will happen gradually.

Redmond says in a support document that the automatic updates will be pushed to devices running Windows 10 1803 (aka April 2018 Update) or newer versions.

Earlier, it was assumed that Edge Chromium will be shipped with Windows 10 2004 (20H1) that is scheduled for a release in the first half of 2020. But it seems Microsoft wants to keep things separate.

It says that “browser releases aren’t bound to the Windows major releases, changes will be made to the operating system to ensure that the next version of Microsoft Edge fits seamlessly into Windows.”

For the new Chromium Edge, the company will release feature updates almost every 6 weeks. Security and compatibility updates will be released as and when required.

What if I don’t want the Edge Chromium?

Well, if for some reason you don’t want the new Edge there isn’t much that you can do, except for delaying Windows Update.

However, Microsoft will provide an Edge Blocker Toolkit to organizations that will allow administrators to block the automatic updates on their machines. But the blocker won’t stop anyone from manually installing a copy of Chromium Edge.

Edge extensions are on the way

In related news, the company is also trying to fix a major issue that resulted in the failure of legacy Edge: browser extensions.

Microsoft has now opened up the Microsoft Edge Addons Store for developers where they can submit new extensions for the Chromium-based Edge browser.

The new Edge will also be able to support existing Chromium extensions with next to little modifications made by developers.

Microsoft further said that it won’t accept any new extension submissions for the legacy Edge after January 17. But it will continue to accept updates for existing ones.