Microsoft has been remaking the Edge browser that first shipped with win10, using the same basic code as Google’s Chrome browser. Though it’s not done, Microsoft considers it cooked enough to start deploying it to all copies of win10 this month, January 2020. When & where is unknown – only that it will show up via Windows Update. The original Edge will still be hanging around, & fully functional, since some software depends on it – all the links to start the original Edge however will be replaced by the new version. Microsoft has now released the stuff you need if you want the new version of Edge installed next to the original, rather than replacing it. Most people won’t bother, some will need to be able to use the old version, and then there are people like me, who can’t help but figure Microsoft will screw this up somehow at some time, and that when they do, I’ll be happy I kept the old Edge as-is.
For the average user Microsoft has made the steps you have to take complicated, though it seems much worse initially than it is. You have to start by downloading the template file here: microsoftedgeinsider[.]com/en-us/enterprise . 7-Zip complained when I expanded the downloaded MicrosoftEdgePolicyTemplates.cab, so I used win10’s Windows Explorer to extract MicrosoftEdgePolicyTemplates.zip, which I used 7-zip to expand in a new folder. In that folder go to Windows\admx. You’ll see 2 .admx files, & in the language folder that applies to you, you’ll see 2 .adml files. Now go to C:\Windows\ PolicyDefinitions\ -- .admx files go there, while .adml files go in the language specific sub-folder [e.g. en-US].
With those in place, you can now fire up the Group Policy Editor, and it’ll have what you need. Easiest to me is right click the start button, select run, and enter gpedit.msc, then click OK. In the top half, under Computer Configuration, expand Administrative Templates, then Microsoft Edge Update -> Applications. On the right click Allow Microsoft Edge Side by Side browser experience, then click edit policy setting. Select enabled, then OK. On a side note, you’ll now see all sorts of Edge settings you can control.
petri[.]com/how-to-run-legacy-microsoft-edge-and-new-edge-stable-channel-side-by-side
docs.microsoft[.]com/en-au/deployedge/microsoft-edge-sysupdate-access-old-edge
docs.microsoft[.]com/en-us/deployedge/configure-microsoft-edge
Now, about the Group Policy Editor – if you’re running win10 Home you must install it – it’s already there in win10 Pro. The good news is that all the parts are there waiting for you – Microsoft apparently didn’t feel you’d want/need it. To install you start with the command prompt running as admin – either right click the start button & select it there, or in the start menu under Windows System, right click Command Prompt, then more -> Run as admin. Copy paste the following, press enter, & when it’s done, restart Windows.
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FOR %F IN ("%SystemRoot%\servicing\Packages\Microsoft-Windows-GroupPolicy-ClientTools-Package~*.mum") DO (
DISM /Online /NoRestart /Add-Package:"%F"
)
FOR %F IN ("%SystemRoot%\servicing\Packages\Microsoft-Windows-GroupPolicy-ClientExtensions-Package~*.mum") DO (
DISM /Online /NoRestart /Add-Package:"%F"
)
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techspot[.]com/guides/1719-group-policy-editor-windows-home/
