[Fix] Microsoft Edge Legacy Shortcut Not Working in Windows 10 Start Menu

We know there are 2 types of Microsoft Edge web browser: first the old Microsoft Edge browser which is a UWP or modern app and comes preinstalled with Windows 10 operating system. It’s exclusive to Windows 10 only. Second is the new Chromium-based Microsoft Edge browser which is similar to Google Chrome browser and is available for download and install for Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1, Windows 10 and MacOS operating systems.

There is an issue! If we install the new Chromium-based Microsoft Edge web browser in Windows 10, it automatically disables and replaces old legacy Microsoft Edge browser. So users can’t open and use old Microsoft Edge browser after installing new Edge in Windows 10. New Microsoft Edge completely hides the old Edge browser in Windows 10.

To overcome this issue, we posted a detailed tutorial which helps you in restoring legacy Microsoft Edge browser after installing new Edge in Windows 10. So you can run and use both old and new Microsoft Edge browsers side-by-side in Windows 10. Check out following tutorial for details:

[Tip] How to Restore Old Legacy Microsoft Edge Browser After Installing New Edge in Windows 10

The above mentioned tutorial helped people in getting back the old Microsoft Edge browser in Windows 10.

Now it seems some new Windows 10 updates or new Microsoft Edge versions have broken the functionality of old Microsoft Edge browser in Windows 10. Many readers have reported that even after restoring old legacy Microsoft Edge browser in Windows 10, it no longer works.

The shortcut of “Microsoft Edge Legacy” in Start Menu doesn’t work. When user clicks on the shortcut, it shows some process going on and changes the mouse cursor to spinning wheel. After a few seconds, nothing happens and old Microsoft Edge doesn’t launch. Sometimes the desktop crashes and restarts.

I personally tested and found that the feedback from readers are true. The shortcut of Microsoft Edge Legacy has stopped working now. Previously it was working fine and was launching old Microsoft Edge without any problem.

After some investigation and troubleshooting, I was able to fix this issue. Actually there is some problem with the Microsoft Edge Legacy shortcut added to Start Menu.

We just need to create a new shortcut to Legacy Microsoft Edge browser and it’ll launch old Microsoft Edge without any problem.

If you also want to fix the issue and want to open old legacy Microsoft Edge in Windows 10 without any problem, following steps will help you:

1. Press WIN+R keys together to launch RUN dialog box.

2. Now type shell:appsfolder in RUN dialog box and press Enter key.

3. It’ll open Applications folder in File Explorer. Look for old Microsoft Edge application having old White icon.

Double-click on it and it’ll launch old Microsoft Edge without any issue.

Now you can right-click on the application and select Pin to Start, Pin to Taskbar or Create Shortcut option to add its shortcut to Start Menu, Taskbar or Desktop.

BONUS TIP:

If you want to delete or remove the broken Microsoft Edge Legacy shortcut from Start Menu which has stopped working, you can delete it using following steps:

1. Press WIN+R keys together to launch RUN dialog box.

2. Now type following text in RUN dialog box and press Enter key:

%ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\

3. It’ll open Start Menu’s Programs folder in File Explorer. Look for Microsoft Edge Legacy shortcut.

Delete the shortcut and it’ll disappear from Start Menu.

Also Check:

[Windows 10 Tip] Block or Prevent Automatic Installation of Microsoft Edge Browser via Windows Update

[Windows 10 Tip] Prevent / Restrict New Microsoft Edge from Replacing and Disabling Old Legacy Edge