diff --git a/easybuild/framework/easyconfig/easyconfig.py b/easybuild/framework/easyconfig/easyconfig.py
index 90c9a9609d..349b067641 100644
--- a/easybuild/framework/easyconfig/easyconfig.py
+++ b/easybuild/framework/easyconfig/easyconfig.py
@@ -247,11 +247,6 @@ def det_subtoolchain_version(current_tc, subtoolchain_names, optional_toolchains
         # system toolchain: bottom of the hierarchy
         if is_system_toolchain(subtoolchain_name):
             add_system_to_minimal_toolchains = build_option('add_system_to_minimal_toolchains')
-            if not add_system_to_minimal_toolchains and build_option('add_dummy_to_minimal_toolchains'):
-                depr_msg = "Use --add-system-to-minimal-toolchains instead of --add-dummy-to-minimal-toolchains"
-                _log.deprecated(depr_msg, '5.0')
-                add_system_to_minimal_toolchains = True
-
             system_subtoolchain = True
 
             if add_system_to_minimal_toolchains and not incl_capabilities:
@@ -2483,8 +2478,6 @@ def copy_patch_files(patch_specs, target_dir):
 def fix_deprecated_easyconfigs(paths):
     """Fix use of deprecated functionality in easyconfigs at specified locations."""
 
-    dummy_tc_regex = re.compile(r'^toolchain\s*=\s*{.*name.*dummy.*}', re.M)
-
     easyconfig_paths = []
     for path in paths:
         easyconfig_paths.extend(find_easyconfigs(path))
@@ -2497,11 +2490,6 @@ def fix_deprecated_easyconfigs(paths):
 
         fixed = False
 
-        # fix use of 'dummy' toolchain, use SYSTEM constant instead
-        if dummy_tc_regex.search(ectxt):
-            ectxt = dummy_tc_regex.sub("toolchain = SYSTEM", ectxt)
-            fixed = True
-
         # fix use of local variables with a name other than a single letter or 'local_*'
         ec = EasyConfig(path, local_var_naming_check=LOCAL_VAR_NAMING_CHECK_LOG)
         for key in ec.unknown_keys:
diff --git a/easybuild/toolchains/compiler/dummycompiler.py b/easybuild/toolchains/compiler/dummycompiler.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 767dcb66c5..0000000000
--- a/easybuild/toolchains/compiler/dummycompiler.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,50 +0,0 @@
-##
-# Copyright 2012-2023 Ghent University
-#
-# This file is part of EasyBuild,
-# originally created by the HPC team of Ghent University (http://ugent.be/hpc/en),
-# with support of Ghent University (http://ugent.be/hpc),
-# the Flemish Supercomputer Centre (VSC) (https://www.vscentrum.be),
-# Flemish Research Foundation (FWO) (http://www.fwo.be/en)
-# and the Department of Economy, Science and Innovation (EWI) (http://www.ewi-vlaanderen.be/en).
-#
-# https://github.com/easybuilders/easybuild
-#
-# EasyBuild is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
-# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
-# the Free Software Foundation v2.
-#
-# EasyBuild is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
-# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
-# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
-# GNU General Public License for more details.
-#
-# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
-# along with EasyBuild.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
-##
-"""
-Support for dummy compiler.
-
-Authors:
-
-* Stijn De Weirdt (Ghent University)
-* Kenneth Hoste (Ghent University)
-"""
-
-from easybuild.tools.toolchain.compiler import Compiler
-
-
-TC_CONSTANT_DUMMY = "DUMMY"
-
-
-class DummyCompiler(Compiler):
-    """Dummy compiler : try not to even use system gcc"""
-    COMPILER_MODULE_NAME = []
-    COMPILER_FAMILY = TC_CONSTANT_DUMMY
-
-    COMPILER_CC = '%sCC' % TC_CONSTANT_DUMMY
-    COMPILER_CXX = '%sCXX' % TC_CONSTANT_DUMMY
-
-    COMPILER_F77 = '%sF77' % TC_CONSTANT_DUMMY
-    COMPILER_F90 = '%sF90' % TC_CONSTANT_DUMMY
-    COMPILER_FC = '%sFC' % TC_CONSTANT_DUMMY
diff --git a/easybuild/toolchains/dummy.py b/easybuild/toolchains/dummy.py
deleted file mode 100644
index cb2a988bd0..0000000000
--- a/easybuild/toolchains/dummy.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,38 +0,0 @@
-##
-# Copyright 2012-2023 Ghent University
-#
-# This file is part of EasyBuild,
-# originally created by the HPC team of Ghent University (http://ugent.be/hpc/en),
-# with support of Ghent University (http://ugent.be/hpc),
-# the Flemish Supercomputer Centre (VSC) (https://www.vscentrum.be),
-# Flemish Research Foundation (FWO) (http://www.fwo.be/en)
-# and the Department of Economy, Science and Innovation (EWI) (http://www.ewi-vlaanderen.be/en).
-#
-# https://github.com/easybuilders/easybuild
-#
-# EasyBuild is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
-# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
-# the Free Software Foundation v2.
-#
-# EasyBuild is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
-# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
-# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
-# GNU General Public License for more details.
-#
-# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
-# along with EasyBuild.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
-##
-"""
-EasyBuild support for dummy compiler toolchain.
-
-Authors:
-
-* Kenneth Hoste (Ghent University)
-"""
-
-from easybuild.toolchains.compiler.dummycompiler import DummyCompiler
-
-
-class Dummy(DummyCompiler):
-    """Dummy toolchain."""
-    NAME = 'dummy'
diff --git a/easybuild/tools/config.py b/easybuild/tools/config.py
index 88571ed37c..c573a59b9f 100644
--- a/easybuild/tools/config.py
+++ b/easybuild/tools/config.py
@@ -267,7 +267,6 @@ def mk_full_default_path(name, prefix=DEFAULT_PREFIX):
         'zip_logs',
     ],
     False: [
-        'add_dummy_to_minimal_toolchains',
         'add_system_to_minimal_toolchains',
         'allow_modules_tool_mismatch',
         'backup_patched_files',
diff --git a/easybuild/tools/docs.py b/easybuild/tools/docs.py
index 7e048d4529..cf43f66bad 100644
--- a/easybuild/tools/docs.py
+++ b/easybuild/tools/docs.py
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@
 from easybuild.tools.config import build_option
 from easybuild.tools.filetools import read_file
 from easybuild.tools.modules import modules_tool
-from easybuild.tools.toolchain.toolchain import DUMMY_TOOLCHAIN_NAME, SYSTEM_TOOLCHAIN_NAME, is_system_toolchain
+from easybuild.tools.toolchain.toolchain import SYSTEM_TOOLCHAIN_NAME, is_system_toolchain
 from easybuild.tools.toolchain.utilities import search_toolchain
 from easybuild.tools.utilities import INDENT_2SPACES, INDENT_4SPACES
 from easybuild.tools.utilities import import_available_modules, mk_md_table, mk_rst_table, nub, quote_str
@@ -1024,8 +1024,7 @@ def list_toolchains(output_format=FORMAT_TXT):
     """Show list of known toolchains."""
     _, all_tcs = search_toolchain('')
 
-    # filter deprecated 'dummy' toolchain
-    all_tcs = [x for x in all_tcs if x.NAME != DUMMY_TOOLCHAIN_NAME]
+    all_tcs = [x for x in all_tcs]
     all_tcs_names = [x.NAME for x in all_tcs]
 
     # start with dict that maps toolchain name to corresponding subclass of Toolchain
diff --git a/easybuild/tools/options.py b/easybuild/tools/options.py
index 49f6cc0de7..a7ac21027b 100644
--- a/easybuild/tools/options.py
+++ b/easybuild/tools/options.py
@@ -345,9 +345,6 @@ def override_options(self):
             'accept-eula': ("Accept EULA for specified software [DEPRECATED, use --accept-eula-for instead!]",
                             'strlist', 'store', []),
             'accept-eula-for': ("Accept EULA for specified software", 'strlist', 'store', []),
-            'add-dummy-to-minimal-toolchains': ("Include dummy toolchain in minimal toolchain searches "
-                                                "[DEPRECATED, use --add-system-to-minimal-toolchains instead!]",
-                                                None, 'store_true', False),
             'add-system-to-minimal-toolchains': ("Include system toolchain in minimal toolchain searches",
                                                  None, 'store_true', False),
             'allow-loaded-modules': ("List of software names for which to allow loaded modules in initial environment",
diff --git a/easybuild/tools/toolchain/toolchain.py b/easybuild/tools/toolchain/toolchain.py
index 308678a555..03edfa7359 100644
--- a/easybuild/tools/toolchain/toolchain.py
+++ b/easybuild/tools/toolchain/toolchain.py
@@ -74,12 +74,6 @@
 
 _log = fancylogger.getLogger('tools.toolchain', fname=False)
 
-# name/version for dummy toolchain
-# if name==DUMMY_TOOLCHAIN_NAME and version==DUMMY_TOOLCHAIN_VERSION, do not load dependencies
-# NOTE: use of 'dummy' toolchain is deprecated, replaced by 'system' toolchain (which always loads dependencies)
-DUMMY_TOOLCHAIN_NAME = 'dummy'
-DUMMY_TOOLCHAIN_VERSION = 'dummy'
-
 SYSTEM_TOOLCHAIN_NAME = 'system'
 
 CCACHE = 'ccache'
@@ -105,7 +99,7 @@
 
 def is_system_toolchain(tc_name):
     """Return whether toolchain with specified name is a system toolchain or not."""
-    return tc_name in [DUMMY_TOOLCHAIN_NAME, SYSTEM_TOOLCHAIN_NAME]
+    return tc_name in [SYSTEM_TOOLCHAIN_NAME]
 
 
 def env_vars_external_module(name, version, metadata):
@@ -197,10 +191,6 @@ def __init__(self, name=None, version=None, mns=None, class_constants=None, tcde
         if name is None:
             raise EasyBuildError("Toolchain init: no name provided")
         self.name = name
-        if self.name == DUMMY_TOOLCHAIN_NAME:
-            self.log.deprecated("Use of 'dummy' toolchain is deprecated, use 'system' toolchain instead", '5.0',
-                                silent=build_option('silent'))
-            self.name = SYSTEM_TOOLCHAIN_NAME
 
         if version is None:
             version = self.VERSION
@@ -237,7 +227,7 @@ def __init__(self, name=None, version=None, mns=None, class_constants=None, tcde
                 self.init_modpaths = self.mns.det_init_modulepaths(tc_dict)
 
     def is_system_toolchain(self):
-        """Return boolean to indicate whether this toolchain is a system(/dummy) toolchain."""
+        """Return boolean to indicate whether this toolchain is a system toolchain."""
         return is_system_toolchain(self.name)
 
     def set_minimal_build_env(self):
diff --git a/test/framework/easyconfig.py b/test/framework/easyconfig.py
index 7bf72fc57b..d27259b986 100644
--- a/test/framework/easyconfig.py
+++ b/test/framework/easyconfig.py
@@ -3576,19 +3576,6 @@ def test_det_subtoolchain_version(self):
                     for subtoolchain_name in subtoolchains[current_tc['name']]]
         self.assertEqual(versions, [None, ''])
 
-        # --add-dummy-to-minimal-toolchains is still supported, but deprecated
-        self.allow_deprecated_behaviour()
-        init_config(build_options={'add_system_to_minimal_toolchains': False, 'add_dummy_to_minimal_toolchains': True})
-        self.mock_stderr(True)
-        versions = [det_subtoolchain_version(current_tc, subtoolchain_name, optional_toolchains, cands)
-                    for subtoolchain_name in subtoolchains[current_tc['name']]]
-        stderr = self.get_stderr()
-        self.mock_stderr(False)
-        self.assertEqual(versions, [None, ''])
-        depr_msg = "WARNING: Deprecated functionality, will no longer work in v5.0: "
-        depr_msg += "Use --add-system-to-minimal-toolchains instead of --add-dummy-to-minimal-toolchains"
-        self.assertIn(depr_msg, stderr)
-
         # and GCCcore if existing too
         init_config(build_options={'add_system_to_minimal_toolchains': True})
         current_tc = {'name': 'GCC', 'version': '4.9.3-2.25'}
@@ -4130,9 +4117,6 @@ def test_fix_deprecated_easyconfigs(self):
         """Test fix_deprecated_easyconfigs function."""
         test_ecs_dir = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__)), 'easyconfigs', 'test_ecs')
         toy_ec = os.path.join(test_ecs_dir, 't', 'toy', 'toy-0.0.eb')
-        gzip_ec = os.path.join(test_ecs_dir, 'g', 'gzip', 'gzip-1.4.eb')
-
-        gzip_ec_txt = read_file(gzip_ec)
         toy_ec_txt = read_file(toy_ec)
 
         test_ec = os.path.join(self.test_prefix, 'test.eb')
@@ -4149,115 +4133,42 @@ def test_fix_deprecated_easyconfigs(self):
         regex = re.compile(r'^(toolchain\s*=.*)$', re.M)
         test_ectxt = regex.sub(r'\1\n\nsome_list = [x + "1" for x in ["one", "two", "three"]]', test_ectxt)
 
-        # test fixing the use of 'dummy' toolchain to SYSTEM
-        tc_regex = re.compile('^toolchain = .*', re.M)
-        tc_strs = [
-            "{'name': 'dummy', 'version': 'dummy'}",
-            "{'name': 'dummy', 'version': ''}",
-            "{'name': 'dummy', 'version': '1.2.3'}",
-            "{'version': '', 'name': 'dummy'}",
-            "{'version': 'dummy', 'name': 'dummy'}",
-        ]
-
         unknown_params_error_pattern = "Use of 2 unknown easyconfig parameters detected in test.eb: foo, some_list"
 
-        for tc_str in tc_strs:
-            # first check if names of local variables get fixed if 'dummy' toolchain is not used
-            init_config(build_options={'local_var_naming_check': 'error', 'silent': True})
-
-            write_file(test_ec, test_ectxt)
-            self.assertErrorRegex(EasyBuildError, unknown_params_error_pattern, EasyConfig, test_ec)
-
-            self.mock_stderr(True)
-            self.mock_stdout(True)
-            fix_deprecated_easyconfigs([test_ec])
-            stderr, stdout = self.get_stderr(), self.get_stdout()
-            self.mock_stderr(False)
-            self.mock_stdout(False)
-            self.assertFalse(stderr)
-            self.assertIn("test.eb... FIXED!", stdout)
-
-            # parsing now works
-            ec = EasyConfig(test_ec)
-
-            # cleanup
-            remove_file(glob.glob(os.path.join(test_ec + '.orig*'))[0])
-
-            # now inject use of 'dummy' toolchain
-            write_file(test_ec, tc_regex.sub("toolchain = %s" % tc_str, test_ectxt))
-
-            test_ec_txt = read_file(test_ec)
-            regex = re.compile("^toolchain = {.*'name': 'dummy'.*$", re.M)
-            self.assertTrue(regex.search(test_ec_txt), "Pattern '%s' found in: %s" % (regex.pattern, test_ec_txt))
-
-            # mimic default behaviour where only warnings are being printed;
-            # use of dummy toolchain or local variables not following recommended naming scheme is not fatal by default
-            init_config(build_options={'local_var_naming_check': 'warn', 'silent': False})
-            self.mock_stderr(True)
-            self.mock_stdout(True)
-            ec = EasyConfig(test_ec)
-            stderr, stdout = self.get_stderr(), self.get_stdout()
-            self.mock_stderr(False)
-            self.mock_stdout(False)
-
-            self.assertFalse(stdout)
-
-            warnings = [
-                "WARNING: Use of 2 unknown easyconfig parameters detected in test.eb: foo, some_list",
-                "Use of 'dummy' toolchain is deprecated, use 'system' toolchain instead",
-            ]
-            for warning in warnings:
-                self.assertIn(warning, stderr)
-
-            init_config(build_options={'local_var_naming_check': 'error', 'silent': True})
-
-            # easyconfig doesn't parse because of local variables with name other than 'local_*'
-            self.assertErrorRegex(EasyBuildError, unknown_params_error_pattern, EasyConfig, test_ec)
-
-            self.mock_stderr(True)
-            self.mock_stdout(True)
-            fix_deprecated_easyconfigs([toy_ec, test_ec, gzip_ec])
-            stderr, stdout = self.get_stderr(), self.get_stdout()
-            self.mock_stderr(False)
-            self.mock_stdout(False)
-
-            ectxt = read_file(test_ec)
-            self.assertFalse(regex.search(ectxt), "Pattern '%s' *not* found in: %s" % (regex.pattern, ectxt))
-            regex = re.compile("^toolchain = SYSTEM$", re.M)
-            self.assertTrue(regex.search(ectxt), "Pattern '%s' found in: %s" % (regex.pattern, ectxt))
-
-            self.assertEqual(gzip_ec_txt, read_file(gzip_ec))
-            self.assertEqual(toy_ec_txt, read_file(toy_ec))
-            self.assertTrue(test_ec_txt != read_file(test_ec))
+        # check if names of local variables get fixed
+        init_config(build_options={'local_var_naming_check': 'error', 'silent': True})
 
-            # original easyconfig is backed up automatically
-            test_ecs = sorted([f for f in os.listdir(self.test_prefix) if f.startswith('test.eb')])
-            self.assertEqual(len(test_ecs), 2)
-            backup_test_ec = os.path.join(self.test_prefix, test_ecs[1])
-            self.assertEqual(test_ec_txt, read_file(backup_test_ec))
+        write_file(test_ec, test_ectxt)
+        self.assertErrorRegex(EasyBuildError, unknown_params_error_pattern, EasyConfig, test_ec)
 
-            remove_file(backup_test_ec)
+        self.mock_stderr(True)
+        self.mock_stdout(True)
+        fix_deprecated_easyconfigs([test_ec])
+        stderr, stdout = self.get_stderr(), self.get_stdout()
+        self.mock_stderr(False)
+        self.mock_stdout(False)
+        self.assertFalse(stderr)
+        self.assertIn("test.eb... FIXED!", stdout)
 
-            # parsing works now, toolchain is replaced with system toolchain
-            ec = EasyConfig(test_ec)
-            self.assertEqual(ec['toolchain'], {'name': 'system', 'version': 'system'})
-            self.assertEqual(ec['configopts'], "--foobar --barfoo --barfoobaz")
+        # parsing now works
+        ec = EasyConfig(test_ec)
+        self.assertEqual(ec['configopts'], "--foobar --barfoo --barfoobaz")
+        self.assertFalse(stderr)
+        stdout = stdout.split('\n')
+        self.assertEqual(len(stdout), 6)
+        patterns = [
+            r"^\* \[1/1\] fixing .*/test.eb\.\.\. FIXED!$",
+            r"^\s*\(changes made in place, original copied to .*/test.eb.orig_[0-9_]+\)$",
+            r'^$',
+            r"^All done! Fixed 1 easyconfigs \(out of 1 found\).$",
+            r'^$',
+            r'^$',
+        ]
+        for idx, pattern in enumerate(patterns):
+            self.assertTrue(re.match(pattern, stdout[idx]), "Pattern '%s' matches '%s'" % (pattern, stdout[idx]))
 
-            self.assertFalse(stderr)
-            stdout = stdout.split('\n')
-            self.assertEqual(len(stdout), 8)
-            patterns = [
-                r"^\* \[1/3\] fixing .*/t/toy/toy-0.0.eb\.\.\. \(no changes made\)$",
-                r"^\* \[2/3\] fixing .*/test.eb\.\.\. FIXED!$",
-                r"^\s*\(changes made in place, original copied to .*/test.eb.orig_[0-9_]+\)$",
-                r"^\* \[3/3\] fixing .*/g/gzip/gzip-1.4.eb\.\.\. \(no changes made\)$",
-                r'^$',
-                r"^All done! Fixed 1 easyconfigs \(out of 3 found\).$",
-                r'^$',
-                r'^$',
-            ]
-            for idx, pattern in enumerate(patterns):
-                self.assertTrue(re.match(pattern, stdout[idx]), "Pattern '%s' matches '%s'" % (pattern, stdout[idx]))
+        # cleanup
+        remove_file(glob.glob(os.path.join(test_ec + '.orig*'))[0])
 
     def test_parse_list_comprehension_scope(self):
         """Test parsing of an easyconfig file that uses a local variable in list comprehension."""
diff --git a/test/framework/toolchain.py b/test/framework/toolchain.py
index e39bcd3016..380ced96e9 100644
--- a/test/framework/toolchain.py
+++ b/test/framework/toolchain.py
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ def test_foss_toolchain(self):
         self.get_toolchain("foss", version="2018a")
 
     def test_get_variable_system_toolchain(self):
-        """Test get_variable on system/dummy toolchain"""
+        """Test get_variable on system toolchain"""
 
         # system toolchain version doesn't really matter, but fine...
         for ver in ['system', '']:
@@ -123,18 +123,6 @@ def test_get_variable_system_toolchain(self):
             self.assertEqual(tc.get_variable('CXX', typ=str), '')
             self.assertEqual(tc.get_variable('CFLAGS', typ=list), [])
 
-        # dummy toolchain is deprecated, so we need to allow for it (and catch the warnings that get printed)
-        self.allow_deprecated_behaviour()
-
-        for ver in ['dummy', '']:
-            self.mock_stderr(True)
-            tc = self.get_toolchain('dummy', version=ver)
-            self.mock_stderr(False)
-            tc.prepare()
-            self.assertEqual(tc.get_variable('CC'), '')
-            self.assertEqual(tc.get_variable('CXX', typ=str), '')
-            self.assertEqual(tc.get_variable('CFLAGS', typ=list), [])
-
     def test_is_system_toolchain(self):
         """Test is_system_toolchain method."""
 
@@ -152,23 +140,6 @@ def test_is_system_toolchain(self):
         tc = self.get_toolchain('intel', version='2018a')
         self.assertFalse(tc.is_system_toolchain())
 
-        # using dummy toolchain is deprecated, so to test for that we need to explicitely allow using deprecated stuff
-        error_pattern = "Use of 'dummy' toolchain is deprecated"
-        for ver in ['dummy', '']:
-            self.assertErrorRegex(EasyBuildError, error_pattern, self.get_toolchain, 'dummy', version=ver)
-
-        dummy_depr_warning = "WARNING: Deprecated functionality, will no longer work in v5.0: Use of 'dummy' toolchain"
-
-        self.allow_deprecated_behaviour()
-
-        for ver in ['dummy', '']:
-            self.mock_stderr(True)
-            tc = self.get_toolchain('dummy', version=ver)
-            stderr = self.get_stderr()
-            self.mock_stderr(False)
-            self.assertTrue(tc.is_system_toolchain())
-            self.assertIn(dummy_depr_warning, stderr)
-
     def test_toolchain_prepare_sysroot(self):
         """Test build environment setup done by Toolchain.prepare in case --sysroot is specified."""