Overview

Microsoft developed Microsoft Edge, a cross-platform web browser. It was first released in July 2015 as part of Windows 10 and replaced Internet Explorer as the default web browser. Initially built with the proprietary EdgeHTML engine, it transitioned to the Chromium engine in 2020 to improve compatibility and performance.

Key Features

1. Chromium Engine: Starting from version 79, Microsoft Edge adopted the Chromium open-source project. This change brought significant improvements in speed, compatibility with web standards, and support for Chrome extensions.

2. Integration with Microsoft Services:

   • Microsoft 365 Integration: Outlook email, OneDrive storage, and Office documents can all be used with ease thanks to tight integration with Microsoft’s productivity suite.
   • Bing Integration: Edge utilizes Bing as its default search engine, offering features like Bing Rewards and Bing Visual Search.

3. Privacy and Security:

   • Tracking Prevention: Edge includes built-in tracking prevention features to enhance user privacy while browsing.
   • InPrivate Browsing: Similar to Chrome’s Incognito mode, InPrivate browsing allows users to browse without saving history or cookies locally.
   • Microsoft Defender SmartScreen: Built-in protection against phishing schemes and malicious websites.

4. Extensions: Edge supports extensions from the Microsoft Edge Add-ons store as well as those from the Chrome Web Store, providing users with a wide range of customization options.

5. Accessibility:

   • Immersive Reader: Enhances reading comprehension by providing tools like text-to-speech and customized font sizes and styles.
   • Read Aloud: Reads aloud the content of web pages, enhancing accessibility for users with visual impairments.

6. Cross-Platform Availability: Apart from Windows, Microsoft Edge is available on macOS, iOS, and Android, offering a consistent browsing experience across devices.

7. Updates and Channels: Edge follows a regular update schedule, with stable, beta, dev, and canary channels catering to different user preferences for stability and access to new features.

Recent Developments

• Vertical Tabs: Introduced to organize tabs on the side of the browser window for improved multitasking.
• Collections: Allows users to collect, organize, and export content from the web into curated lists for research or personal use.
• Performance Improvements: Continual updates focus on enhancing speed, battery efficiency, and responsiveness.

Market Position

Microsoft Edge has gained popularity among users looking for a browser that integrates well with Microsoft services, offers strong privacy features, and supports a wide array of extensions through its Chromium base.

In summary, Microsoft Edge combines Microsoft’s ecosystem strengths with the flexibility and performance benefits of the Chromium engine, making it a robust choice for both casual and professional users alike.