Download Zen Browser Version 1.17b

Exploring Zen Browser: A Secure and Customizable Browsing Solution

Zen Browser is an open-source web browser that prioritizes user privacy and security, relying on Mozilla Firefox’s robust framework. This innovative browser is designed to provide a seamless and adaptable browsing experience by blocking trackers, advertisements, and safeguarding personal data against unauthorized collection.

A standout feature of Zen Browser is its Zen Mods, which allow users to personalize their browsing experience with diverse customization options. Enhancements such as split view functionality and vertical tabs contribute to an optimized interface, ensuring fast and efficient browsing while maintaining a lightweight design.

Offering privacy control and an efficient alternative to conventional web browsers, Zen Browser empowers users to navigate the internet without compromising their online privacy.

Limitations Related to DRM Content

While Zen Browser provides numerous beneficial features, it currently does not support Digital Rights Management (DRM) protected content. Consequently, popular streaming platforms like Netflix and HBO Max remain inaccessible. The absence of a Widevine license poses a significant barrier; acquiring this license would incur substantial costs and would ideally require Zen to affiliate with a larger corporation such as Mozilla or Brave. As a result, support for DRM-protected media is unlikely to be available in the immediate future.

Key Features of Zen Browser

Zen Browser enriches the user experience with several notable features that enhance privacy, customization, and overall usability:

Privacy Protection: Effectively blocks trackers and minimizes data collection.
Automatic Updates: Ensures that users have the latest security patches.
Zen Mods: Offers a wide array of customizable themes and layouts.
Workspaces: Effortlessly organize tabs into distinct workspaces.
Compact Mode: Maximizes viewing space by reducing UI elements.
Zen Glance: Provides quick previews of websites.
Split Views: Enables viewing multiple tabs within the same window.
Sidebar: Facilitates quick access to bookmarks and tools.
Vertical Tabs: Offers a vertical tab management feature.
Container Tabs: Separates different browsing sessions.
Fast Profile Switcher: Simplifies the switching process between user profiles.
Tab Folders: Helps in organizing tabs into folders.
Customizable UI: Allows for personal tweaks to the browsing interface.
Robust Security: Inherits comprehensive security features from Firefox.
Optimized Performance: Lightweight design geared for speed.
Deep Customization through Zen Mods: Extensive personalization options through mods.
Quick Access: Simplifies navigation to favorite websites.
Open Source: Developed on Mozilla Firefox, benefiting from community collaboration.
Community-Driven Development: Actively updated based on user feedback.
GitHub Repository: Users can contribute to and review the open-source code.

Update Overview: Zen Browser 1.17b

New Features

Updated underlying technology to Firefox 144.0
Introduced a unified panel for site permissions, security, add-ons, and quick actions to streamline the address bar.
Added a toolbar button to toggle compact mode quickly.
Enhanced glance animations for a more intuitive user experience.
A new URL bar button for convenient copying of the current page URL.
Adopted the new MacOS Tahoe visual style.
Operating system accent colors are utilized if no browser theme is applied, replacing the default orange.

Fixes

Rectified issue where the URL bar wouldn’t open in fullscreen mode.
Improved performance for macOS users facing transparency issues.
Corrected compact mode discrepancies while in double toolbar mode.
Fixed freezing problems with the ‘Firefox Multi-Account Containers’ extension (#10666).
Solved slow switching and scroll position inconsistencies in split view.
Addressed various stability and performance concerns for glance.

Significant Changes

In double toolbar mode, the UI for compact mode now overlays the web view instead of sliding with the sidebar.
Hovering over window captions in Windows/Linux or during double toolbar in compact mode will now overlay the web view instead of pushing it down.
To enhance privacy, the ‘Copy current page URL’ button will not include tracking parameters by default.