Microsoft is pushing out its new Edge browser to Windows 7 and 8.1

[zanderthunder]

 

When Microsoft first announced general availability of its new Chromium-based Edge browser, it said that those on Windows 7 and 8.1 would have to install the browser manually if they wanted it. As it turns out, Microsoft is pushing it out over Windows Update anyway, according to a KB article published this week.

 

There are a few key things that you need to know when you install this. First of all, it's going to add Edge to your taskbar and as a desktop shortcut. Also, it's not going to replace Internet Explorer like it replaces Edge Legacy on Windows 10. And finally, it won't change your default browser.

 

This is a particularly interesting change for Windows 7 users, because the OS hasn't been supported since January. The only users that are supposed to get updates are those paying for Extended Security Updates; however, it seems that Microsoft is willing to pick up Edge users wherever it can.

 

While general availability of the browser was first announced back in January, no one received it through Windows Update. In fact, it still took a while before beta testers even got it through that method. It's only starting to roll out to everyone now. Once you receive the update, which should be available now, the browser will update in the background on its own. This update will install automatically.

Source: Microsoft is pushing out its new Edge browser to Windows 7 and 8.1 (via Neowin)

[Karlston]

Microsoft pushes the new Microsoft Edge to unsupported Windows 7 systems

Microsoft ended support for the company's Windows 7 operating system in January 2020 officially. The company provides Enterprise and business customers with options to extend support for up to three years, but did not provide a similar offering to home customers.

 

Windows 7, which was in extended support for the five years prior to January 2020, has not received updates since January and before that only security updates.

 

Microsoft did release the new Chromium-based Microsoft Edge web browser for Windows 7 in January -- a day after support ended officially to be precise -- and seems to have started to push the new browser to unsupported Windows 7 systems recently.

 

 

The update is intended for Home devices only. Microsoft notes that Enterprise devices as well as any device that uses Active Directory or Azure Active Directory will not receive the new Microsoft Edge web browser via Windows Update.

This update is not intended to target Enterprise devices. Specifically, this update targets devices that run Windows 7 SP1 or later versions and Windows 8.1 or later versions that are either Home, Professional, Ultimate, Starter, or Core editions. Devices that run these editions on Active Directory or Azure Active Directory domain are also excluded from this automatic update.

Business devices that were signed up to receive Extended Security Updates (ESU) will receive the update as well as Microsoft does not exclude these devices from receiving the new Microsoft browser via Windows Update.

 

The Chromium-based Microsoft Edge web browser will only be made available on Windows 7 if the following is true:

1. The SHA-2 update from September 23, 2019 or a later SHA-2 update needs to be installed and the system needs to have been restarted at least once.
2. The Servicing Stack Update released on March 12, 2019 or later Servicing Stack Updates need to be installed as well.

The new web browser won't replace Internet Explorer on the device it is installed on. Edge will be pinned to the Windows taskbar and a shortcut will be placed on the desktop. The update won't change the default browser on the system either.

Closing Words

Windows 7 devices have a sizeable market share, still, and most major browser makers still support the unsupported operating system. Microsoft did release the new Edge for Windows 7 when it came out in January 2020, and it makes sense, probably, to push it to Windows 7 devices from a business point of view.

 

Home users on the other hand may not like the move, considering that Microsoft did not provide them with an option to get continued support for the operating system.

 

 

Microsoft pushes the new Microsoft Edge to unsupported Windows 7 systems