Exploring Microsoft Edge: Features, Updates, and Security Enhancements
Microsoft Edge stands out as a fast and secure web browser developed by Microsoft, compatible with a wide range of devices including PCs, iPhones, and Android smartphones. This browser is designed to offer a seamless online experience, prioritizing user safety and privacy while ensuring browsing speed is optimal across all platforms. Users can effortlessly synchronize their browsing history and favorites across devices, making Edge a practical choice for those who switch between gadgets.
Performance-Boosting Features
Leveraging the same underlying technology as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge introduces innovative features like Startup Boost and Sleeping Tabs. These enhancements are specifically crafted to deliver superior performance and speed, especially for Windows users, ensuring a smooth and responsive browsing experience.
Robust Security and Privacy Measures
Microsoft Edge incorporates a variety of security and privacy tools. Key features such as Microsoft Defender SmartScreen, Password Monitor, InPrivate search, and Kids Mode contribute to a secure online environment for users and their families. Parents can utilize content filters and review activity reports via their Microsoft Family Safety accounts, facilitating a safer web experience for children with Kid’s Mode.
Extension Compatibility and Personalization
The latest version of Microsoft Edge is now fully compatible with your favorite browser extensions, allowing for a highly personalized experience tailored to individual needs and preferences. Discover new ways to enhance your browsing capabilities through these add-ons.
Latest Updates: Microsoft Edge 141.0.3537.57
Changelog Highlights:
- Resolved various bugs and implemented performance improvements, along with updates to features and policies.
- Security updates for the stable channel can be reviewed here.
Announcements
- The new PDF viewer powered by Adobe is now the default in Microsoft Edge Stable version 141, particularly for enterprise users on Windows. This feature rollout will happen gradually and aims to enhance performance, accessibility, and compatibility while adding enterprise-specific functions. Administrators can manage these settings using the NewPDFReaderEnabled policy.
Local Network Access Security Feature
- Edge’s Local Network Access feature significantly improves security by limiting a website’s ability to make requests to local servers. When such a request is initiated, users are prompted to allow or deny access, which enhances privacy while remaining compliant with modern web standards. This feature will be enabled by default starting in Edge 143, with additional configuration options available for enterprise administrators. More details can be found here.
Fixes and Feature Enhancements
- Resolution of a UI Automation (UIA) issue that previously caused timeouts and increased memory usage due to self-referencing elements.
- Introduction of real-time video translation capabilities, enhancing the viewing experience for users engaging with foreign media. Note that availability may differ based on device specifications and regional differences; check here for more details.
- Administrators can enable or disable the Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat feature in Edge for Business using the new Microsoft365CopilotChatIconEnabled policy.
- Tab preview functionality can be controlled with the ShowTabPreviewEnabled policy, allowing users to view tab content on hover.
- Changes to the “Clear Browsing Data on Close”functionality mean that Passwords and Autofill data are no longer part of the automatic deletion process when closing the browser, although manual deletion is still an option.
Policy Updates
- Enabled LiveVideoTranslation for video translation features.
- Implemented OriginKeyedProcesses for enhanced security measures.
- Introduced RelaunchFastIfOutdated for quicker relaunch of outdated browsers.
- Added ShowTabPreviewEnabled policy for tab previews.
- WebRTC now supports post-quantum key agreements.
Obsolete Policies
- The GamerModeEnabled policy has been retired.
Download Links
For those looking to install or update Microsoft Edge, download the appropriate version below:
- Microsoft Edge (64-bit) | 184.0 MB
- Microsoft Edge (32-bit) | 163.0 MB
- Microsoft Edge (ARM64) | 188.0 MB
- Visit the Microsoft Edge Website for additional resources and information.
- Check the Release History for further updates.
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