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Microsoft Edge to Retire Legacy Direct-WAM Sign-In on Windows in Version 157

By Freedom251 Team · · 2 min read

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Microsoft plans to retire Edge’s legacy direct-WAM sign-in path on Windows starting with version 157, moving remaining profiles to OneAuth. The planned Worldwide and GCC rollout is expected to begin and finish in early November 2026. Most users are expected to move transparently, though some may need to sign in to Edge again. Windows Web Account Manager (WAM) itself is not being retired: Microsoft says OneAuth continues to use it.

What Edge version 157 is changing

Microsoft’s Message Center notice, item MC1490911, says Edge on Windows will turn off its legacy direct-WAM sign-in implementation by default starting with version 157. Profiles still on that path are expected to transition to OneAuth, Microsoft’s authentication library. The notice identifies browser sign-in, identity, token fetching, single sign-on (SSO), and account synchronization as affected areas. Read the archived notice, MC1490911.

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This is a change to Edge’s sign-in implementation, not a deprecation of Windows WAM. Microsoft’s notice states: “Windows Web Account Manager (WAM) itself is not being deprecated; OneAuth continues to use Windows WAM.”

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When the change is planned

The notice lists General Availability for Worldwide and GCC beginning and expected to complete in early November 2026. That is a planned schedule, not confirmation that rollout has occurred. Check your organization’s Microsoft 365 Message Center for the latest timing and any tenant-specific guidance.

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Who may notice the change

The notice says most users should transition transparently, while a small number may need to sign in to Edge again. It does not quantify either group. Profiles that have not automatically migrated are the main ones administrators are advised to identify and test. The notice also calls out organizations that explicitly disabled OneAuth WAM using --disable-features=msOneAuthWAM.

Edge supports Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft accounts, and domain accounts; account type affects features such as sync and SSO. Microsoft’s identity documentation provides that general background, but does not independently confirm the version 157 schedule: Microsoft Edge identity support and configuration.

How to check whether an Edge profile uses OneAuth or WAM

  1. In Edge, open edge://signin-internals.
  2. Find Edge Auth Library Information > Library.
  3. Read the library shown for that profile. OneAuth means it is already on the modern path; the notice says no action is required for that profile. WAM means it is still on the legacy path and should be considered for testing.
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How administrators can pilot the OneAuth path

For pilot devices running Edge 155 or later, Microsoft’s notice provides a command-line feature flag to force the OneAuth path ahead of version 157:

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msedge.exe --enable-features=msForceOneAuthWAM

On pilot profiles, check the following after launching Edge with the flag:

  • Browser sign-in works.
  • Single sign-on works for the organization’s relevant services.
  • Account synchronization behaves as expected.
  • edge://signin-internals reports OneAuth.

These checks assess the relevant behaviors; the notice provides no quantitative success rates or performance comparison. Administrators should also prepare support teams for users who may see a sign-in action in the Edge profile menu after updating.

Optional diagnostic logging

If a pilot needs troubleshooting, the notice supplies this command to enable logging:

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msedge.exe --enable-features=msForceOneAuthWAM --enable-logging -v=1 --oneauth-log-level=5

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The stated default log location is %LOCALAPPDATA%MicrosoftEdgeUser Datachrome_debug.log. Treat the log as diagnostic output and follow your organization’s data-handling policies when collecting or sharing it.

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IT administrationMicrosoft EdgeMicrosoft Entra IDOneAuthWAMWindows

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