New Edge web browser increases speed and compatibility

Microsoft have launched a brand-new version of their Edge web browser. Still called Edge, the new browser has been completely rewritten to make it faster and more compatible with the growing sophistication of web-based applications.

Edge, which replaced Internet Explorer, has been part of Windows 10 since it launched. The new version of Edge was available as an optional download but Microsoft are now rolling it out as an integrated part of Windows 8 and 10 via Windows Update.

Why did Microsoft develop a new browser? For a long time, web browsers were simply a tool to view the internet and consume relatively static content. Now, with an ever-growing range of online applications, business users are using a web browser as a key application.

In order to deliver business services, such as Office online or financial packages like Xero, browsers need to be powerful, efficient and built to a broadly agreed set of standards.

Microsoft has seen a dramatic rise in popularity of Google's Chrome browser, which is built on Google's open-source Chromium code. This means that, like Chrome, Edge will be updated in the background every six weeks.

Chrome has become popular as it is fast, comes with a wide range of extensions and has good sync support across all devices. It has become the de facto standard for app developers and therefore has greatest compatibility for users.

Microsoft has built Edge on the same source code which it says will provide "world-class compatibility and performance, security and privacy." Edge will have its own look and feel and by using your Microsoft 365 account with Edge, you can stay productive and secure within the Microsoft environment.

Compared to the previous version, the new Edge browser gives you greater control over your data and more transparency. Tracking prevention gives greater insight into which visitor trackers are being blocked while you browse the web.

With InPrivate mode, your browsing history and searches are not linked to you or saved to your device, giving you further control over your data. In addition, Microsoft Defender SmartScreen automatically protects you online from security issues, phishing schemes and malicious software.

Chrome users will recognise some of these features and may not see enough difference to change. However, those moving from Internet Explorer or the previous version of Edge will have a far richer, faster and more productive browsing experience.

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