Microsoft has released its new browser
Microsoft has (fairly) silently pushed out the new version of it’s browser: Edge. You may have noticed the new “e” logo on your task bar, or worse yet, you may have noticed that your default browser was changed… without your permission.
This article tells you everything you need to know about the new browser.
Change your default browser in Windows 10
- Select the Start button, and then type Default apps.
- In the search results, select Default apps.
-
Under Web browser, select the browser currently listed, and then select your desired browser.
What you need to know:
Do I need to use Edge?
No. You can continue to use your preferred browser. Even if Microsoft changed your default browser without your consent, you can change it back (see the steps in the break-out box above)
How is the new Edge different from the old Edge?
The new Edge browser is built on the open source technology called Chromium, the same technology that the Chrome browser is built upon. In this sense, Edge is just Chrome with Microsoft’s style wrapped around it. The old Edge was built upon EdgeHTML, Microsoft’s proprietary platform.
Can I use Edge anywhere that I can use Chrome?
That is the idea. Since they are built on the same platform, they should work similarly. However, I have discovered some websites (including the O365 dashboard, built by Microsoft) that do not work well in Edge… isn’t it ironic?
If Edge is so good, why is Microsoft having to push it so hard?
Good question. Probably because so few people were using the old Edge, that only a handful of people would try the new one willingly.
If I am told by a website to use Internet Explorer, can I use the new Edge instead?
No.
If Edge switched to Chromium, does that mean that Chromium (and Chrome) is better?
Another good question. One could certainly infer that from the facts. Microsoft built the old Edge from scratch with security in mind, but some would argue that it went too far and few people used it because it was *too* strict and prevented people from using many websites.
Why does Google warn against using Edge?
Edge does not use Google’s Safe Browsing feature, so Google can’t remotely remove malicious extensions.
Why does Microsoft warn you against using extensions from the Chrome Web Store?
Because it claims that they are “unverified and may affect browser performance”
Clearly, the fight between Microsoft and Google (Chrome) is just starting to heat up…
If you have questions about this, please let us know and we will be happy to assist you.
Take care,
