You may have noticed that you have a program installed on your computer called Microsoft Edge, and frankly, it might not ring a bell. That's normal, since it's relatively new, and we stopped using Microsoft as our primary browser years ago. In this article, you'll learn more about Microsoft Edge , that program installed on your PC that you don't use, and you might just find yourself getting some use out of it once you understand its features.
If you've bought a new Microsoft PC in the last few days, weeks, or months, you should know that you'll never see Internet Explorer again. That tedious browser, the one we all used to discover the internet, is now a thing of the past. Microsoft has launched the new Microsoft Edge to replace the old Explorer, aiming to give it a fresh look, modernize it, and, above all, optimize it for the needs of today's world.
Now that you have the basic information and know what Microsoft Edge is, let's try to delve deeper into that question , so you can get to know it better and, who knows, maybe even switch from Google Chrome, Firefox, Opera and others to the new Microsoft Edge.
What is Microsoft Edge? That offers?
We've already explained this in the previous paragraphs, but just in case it wasn't clear, Microsoft Edge is the new browser developed by Microsoft that has replaced the legendary and now outdated Internet Explorer. This browser, whether you like it or not, comes pre-installed on all Microsoft computers you buy —yes, that's right, there's no way around it. So, it might be a good idea to try and learn a little more about it.
What Microsoft aimed to achieve with the creation of this new browser was to keep pace with the times and, above all, to compete with the current browsers on the market, which dominate almost every personal computer in our homes, such as Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. For this reason, they guarantee that the new Microsoft Edge will offer a range of enriching and productive features for you as a user. Furthermore, they also promise a good experience for business use, meaning for companies that integrate and use this browser with their employees.
One of the things that makes Microsoft Edge a good browser these days (something everyone is asking for) is its extensive customization. Microsoft's browser offers new features, such as the ability to protect your children every time they connect to the browser, and the official website also states that you can have complete synchronization of all your passwords and bookmarks. It tries to match Google Chrome as closely as possible ; they've even been working on browser extensions , that feature we love so much about Google Chrome.
As if that weren't enough, Microsoft Edge also claims to be the best browser for online shopping, as it will search for the best prices for you using its built-in tools. Ultimately, these updates aim to make our online lives easier and simpler, saving us time with every step we take on the internet.
Microsoft Edge main features
Let's summarize all the main features of this browser so you never have to ask yourself what Microsoft Edge is again. Here's the list.
You can maintain your online privacy with its InPrivate mode : your browsing history and searches will no longer be linked to your registered Microsoft account or saved on your device, giving you much more control over all your data.
You have Microsoft Defender SmartScreen , which will protect you from all phishing or identity theft sites you find on the Internet, as well as protecting you from malware or malicious file downloads that you make without realizing it.
With Microsoft Edge , you'll have online tracking blocked , as you'll have much more control over all your data and it will give you information about which trackers will be blocked while you browse the internet.
Personalization is key for Microsoft Edge, and therefore Microsoft's new browser offers you different color themes so that your browser is uniquely yours and you can browse with the colors that make you feel best or that you like the most.
You'll be able to access PDF files very quickly , since Microsoft Edge includes some integrated and completely free tools that allow you to view, edit, and share different content without leaving the Microsoft Edge browser itself.
With this browser you can search for content very easily, since with just a right click of your mouse you can select a fragment of text that you find on any website and use the browser's sidebar to obtain definitions, information about that paragraph you have selected and all this without ever losing the context of the web page you are on at that moment.
Microsoft Edge has earned the title of best browser for online shopping because it offers cashback on every purchase through Bing. Buy items that the browser recommends from over 1100 online retailers and receive cashback. In addition, Microsoft Edge also features a price comparison tool that lets you compare prices across different websites with just one click.
The browser will notify you instantly if it finds a single lower price at any other online store. What's more, it also finds deals, providing a list of coupons for products available online and applying them to your order. And if you need assistance, it will help you with the process. It seems that in this respect, it is indeed the best.
Thanks to its customization features, you can change the tab orientation to use them vertically , placing them on the side of the interface for easier navigation if you find it more convenient. As we mentioned, it delivers excellent customization options.
If you're a reader and you're used to reading directly from your computer screen, Microsoft Edge has found a solution to the potential discomfort caused by screen glare. You can optimize your reading experience on web pages with its "Immersive Reader" tool. This tool helps you stay focused while reading by creating a strip where you only read the text, while the rest of the screen darkens to minimize distractions, reduce brightness, and concentrate on the content you want to read. We've included an image below.
Microsoft has considered those tabs you're not actively using, but actually are . This is because your computer is consuming resources to keep them open. With this new browser, you'll have a mode to save energy and maximize your computer's speed with Inactive Tabs mode. This way, you won't have to close them to stop them from using RAM or simply because they're in the way. You'll save energy for other tasks and improve the browser's performance.
If you're still not convinced by Microsoft's recent browser makeover, then your browsers must be offering you a lot in your daily life, because these days, the question "What is Microsoft Edge?" shouldn't even be asked anymore. The answer is that Microsoft Edge is a very complete and fully customizable browser that tries to innovate in many areas where others rely on external resources. At least give it a try. Let us know in the comments if you've already tried it!