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Remove Edge (Legacy) associations

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.
  • Multiple actionsThis page belongs to a category, containing some changes with similar goal.
  • Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
  • Impact: MediumSystem Functionality Loss Risk: Moderate
    This action improves privacy with minimal impact when you run the recommended script.
    This action improves privacy with some impact when you run the recommended script.
  • Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
  • 2 scripts
  • Fully reversible

    You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.

    The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview​

This category removes file and URL associations from Microsoft Edge Legacy, to enhance privacy and potentially improve system stability and performance.

Edge Legacy, though outdated, may still have associations on modern Windows versions. Removing these associations:

  • Reduces potential data collection through Edge Legacy
  • Prevents accidental use of an outdated browser
  • May improve system stability if Edge Legacy is removed
  • Can potentially enhance performance by eliminating unnecessary file associations

This category applies only to Edge Legacy and does not affect newer versions of Microsoft Edge.

If Edge Legacy associations remain after uninstallation, certain Windows functionalities may malfunction 1. Running this category improves system integrity, as standard uninstallation methods often leave these associations.

On modern Windows versions (confirmed by tests since Windows 10 21H2 and Windows 11 21H2), Chromium-based Edge is associated with most default options (using ProgIDs such as MSEdgePDF and MSEdgeHTM 2). However, some Legacy Edge associations may persist depending on the Windows version.

Technical Details​

Edge Legacy is associated with several ProgIDs, each prefixed with AppX 3. Known ProgIDs include:

  • AppX4hxtad77fbk3jkkeerkrm0ze94wjf3s9 3 4
  • AppXd4nrz8ff68srnhf9t5a8sbjyar1cr723 3 4
  • AppXq0fevzme2pys62n3e0fbqa7peapykr8v 3 4
  • AppX90nv6nhay5n6a98fnetv7tpk64pp35es 3 4
  • AppX7rm9drdg8sk7vqndwj3sdjw11x96jc0y 4
  • AppX3xxs313wwkfjhythsb8q46xdsq8d2cvv (Edge Holographic 4)

File and URL associations can be found under these registry keys:

  • HKCU\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppModel\Repository\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_{Version}\MicrosoftEdge\Capabilities\URLAssociations
  • HKCU\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppModel\Repository\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_{Version}\MicrosoftEdge\Capabilities\FileAssociations

Within these registry keys:

  • URL associations may include http, https, microsoft-edge, microsoft-edge-holographic.
  • File associations may include .htm, .html, .pdf, .svg.

Not all these associations are present on every Windows system. The set of registered associations varies depending on Windows version and system configuration.

Caution

Removing these associations can affect how certain files and URLs if you rely on Edge (Legacy). Remember to set up an alternative browser to handle these file types and protocols.

Open With Associations​

This category does not modify Open File Associations, as no such associations for Legacy Edge exist on latest Windows versions (confirmed by tests since Windows 10 19H1 and Windows 11 21H2).

You can verify this by running the following PowerShell script:

$legacyEdgeProgIds = @(
    'AppX4hxtad77fbk3jkkeerkrm0ze94wjf3s9',
    'AppXd4nrz8ff68srnhf9t5a8sbjyar1cr723',
    'AppXq0fevzme2pys62n3e0fbqa7peapykr8v',
    'AppX90nv6nhay5n6a98fnetv7tpk64pp35es',
    'AppX3xxs313wwkfjhythsb8q46xdsq8d2cvv'
)
@("Registry::HKLM\Software\Classes", "Registry::HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes") |
ForEach-Object {
    Get-ChildItem -Path "$_\*\OpenWithProgIds" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue |
    ForEach-Object {
        $extension = $_.PSParentPath.Split('\')[-1]
        $registryPath = $_.PSPath
        $formattedRegistryPath = $_.PSPath -replace '^Microsoft\.PowerShell\.Core\\Registry::', ''
        Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $registryPath -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue |
        ForEach-Object {
            $_.PSObject.Properties |
            Where-Object { $legacyEdgeProgIds -contains $_.Name } |
            ForEach-Object {
                $progId = $_.Name;
                [PSCustomObject]@{
                    Extension = $extension
                    ProgID = $progId
                    RegistryPath = $formattedRegistryPath
                    Hive = if ($formattedRegistryPath -match 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE') { 'HKLM' } else { 'HKCU' }
                }
            }
        }
    }
} | Sort-Object Extension, ProgID -Unique | Format-Table -AutoSize
Use with Caution

This script is only recommended if you understand its implications.

Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.

This script can be fully reversed to restore changes if something goes wrong.

Sources
PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

Apply Now​

Choose one of two ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Easy-to-apply
  • Free
  • Open-source

High — Advanced Privacy​

  • For advanced privacy-conscious users
  • May affect some features

Read more about High and other protection levels

Help

How to apply or restore "Remove Edge (Legacy) associations" using script​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 5 instructions
  1. 1

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  2. 2

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  3. 3

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  4. 4

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  5. 5

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

Apply with privacy.sexy​

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  • Free
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Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Remove Edge (Legacy) associations" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the category name: Remove Edge (Legacy) associations
    2. Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.
  3. 3

    Run

    Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

    This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Explore This Guide​

  • 2 Privacy settings

Choose what to protect based on your needs:This script already includes these options.
You can review, apply or reverse each option individually.
Click any option to learn more about what it does.

Some settings and commands may require technical knowledge to apply correctly.

Similar Guides​

Wider Goal​

Guides below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.
These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.
This category includes scripts to remove Microsoft Edge Legacy. Microsoft introduced the Legacy version based on the EdgeHTML engine in 2015. However, as...

— Remove Edge (Legacy)

Same Goal​

Other guides in Remove Edge (Legacy) See settings that are in the same category as this guide.
Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.
Remove "Microsoft Edge" app
Remove "Microsoft Edge Dev Tools Client" app

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
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    • Community since 2017
About Us

Reviewed By​

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

  • Expert review by undergroundwires​

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks
    • Audited and verified using automated security tests

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments
    • Audited and verified using third-party security software

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and other potential privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

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