It might be hard to believe, but Microsoft has finally atoned for the sins of Internet Explorer. Last year, the company performed a reset and released a new version of Microsoft Edge to replace the one that came with Windows 10.
This new version is based on the same code as Google’s Chrome browser, so it offers similar performance and works with all of the same extensions.
If Microsoft had simply cloned Chrome, it wouldn’t deserve much more than a trophy for participating in the browser wars. But Edge is more than just a copy.
Since launching last year, Microsoft has added some really useful features that can’t be found in Chrome, so much so that I happily use it as my primary browser.
If you’ve ruled Edge before, whether it’s because of Internet Explorer trauma or vile update tactics in Software From Microsoft, we explain why you should honestly consider using the browser.
Vertical tabs
With just one click, Microsoft Edge can organize your browser tabs on the left side of the screen rather than at the top.
It might seem strange to you at first (and you might mind that there is no space above the address bar), but after two weeks of use you might not want to go back.
Placing tabs vertically means you can have more on the screen while showing the page titles, and you can also temporarily hide the sidebar by clicking the left arrow at the top when you need more space to. surf.
Install websites as apps
Click on the “…” menu button and select “Applications”, and you will see the option to install the current page as an application on your desktop. By doing this, you will be able to open the website in its own window and without the usual cluttered menu, and you will also be able to add it to the Start menu and taskbar.
This feature has totally changed the way I use the internet, allowing me to quickly access services like Gmail and Notion without losing them in a sea of tabs.
While Chrome offers a similar feature, Edge makes these apps very attractive because you can see what you’ve installed and manage permissions from a single menu.
Convenient reading functions
Press “F9” on any web page (or click the page icon to the right of the address bar) to open a reading mode that removes ads and lets you adjust text.
There is also a read aloud feature (accessible from the reading menu or by pressing ‘Ctrl’ + ‘Shift’ + ‘U’), which converts text to audio on any page. You can adjust the playback speed and even choose between multiple voices.
Collections
Think of this feature as a more sophisticated bookmark folder, with richer page descriptions, thumbnails, and notes.
Clicking on the ‘+’ button at the top right of the screen will open the collections side menu. From there, you can start a new collection and click “Add Current Page” to start collecting links.
You can also right click on any tab and select “Add all tabs to new collection” which will save all open tabs at once.
It’s a good way to save your current browser window without having to leave all of your tabs open forever.
Tracking protection
While Google hesitates in its plan to remove the biscuits The tracking system of Chrome, Microsoft now allows you to block biscuits of third parties.
The privacy section of Edge’s settings menu offers three levels of aggressiveness to block, as well as an option to always use the strictest setting for your incognito browsing sessions.
Blocking these trackers can prevent web pages from constantly collecting information about you while you are browsing the web.
Where Edge is always boring
The only thing that really bothers me about Edge is how well Microsoft is applying Bing and Bing related services. Changing these default settings requires some research.
To configure Google as a search engine for example, you will have to go to ‘Settings’> ‘Privacy, search and services’ then click on ‘Address and search bar’ at the bottom of the menu.
Here you can change the search engine. The new tab will continue to use Bing unless you also change the “Search in new tabs” option to “Address bar”.
If you are setting up multiple computers, you will need to change these settings on each one because Microsoft does not synchronize them.
Likewise, the new tab displays news and information from Microsoft, unless you click the gear icon in the upper right corner and choose a custom layout, then turn off content from the drop-down menu.
Finally, you can let Microsoft display purchasing-related features, such as price tracking or returns for purchases. in line. You might find some useful features useful, but with so many other easier ways to shop in line, Edge functionality is an issue.
The good thing is that you can turn them off by going to “Settings>“ Privacy, Search & Services ”and then unchecking“ Save time and money with Shopping in Microsoft Edge ”.
But once I’m totally clean bloatware And without Bing, Edge will finally be worth it. Don’t let minor inconveniences (or decades of complaints) keep you from enjoying a better Chrome alternative.
Original article published in PCWorld US.
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