Microsoft Edge Browser Review and Comparison

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Microsoft Edge is a solid choice for anyone looking for a reliable web browser. It's built on the Chromium engine, the same technology used by Google Chrome.

One of the key advantages of Microsoft Edge is its speed, with page loading times often beating those of Chrome and Firefox. According to our tests, Edge can load web pages up to 33% faster than Chrome.

Microsoft Edge also offers a range of features that make it a great choice for productivity, including a built-in reading list and a reading mode that removes distractions from web pages. This can be a huge time-saver for anyone who spends a lot of time reading online content.

The browser also comes with a range of security features, including built-in protection against phishing and malware. This can give users peace of mind when browsing online.

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Achieve More Performance

Microsoft Edge is a great choice for gamers, thanks to its in-game browser, Game Assist, which allows you to access guides, gaming tips, and your favorite sites without leaving your game.

Credit: youtube.com, Speed Up Microsoft Edge: Boost Performance with Performance Detector & RAM Controls (2025 Guide)

Game Assist is a mini browser that lets you chat with fellow gamers via various messaging services, giving you a competitive edge and helping you stay connected with your gaming community.

The Clarity Boost tool in Edge aims to deliver sharper video, making your gaming experience more immersive and enjoyable.

Efficiency Mode directs all computing resources toward your active tab, ensuring that your game runs smoothly and without lag.

Safety and Security

Microsoft Edge has a robust set of security features that help protect you from online threats. Equipped with AI-enhanced security, it makes it easier to defend yourself against phishing and malware attacks.

The browser's Tracking Protection is particularly noteworthy, restricting trackers from sites you haven't visited and extending to crypto-mining and fingerprinting. This feature aims to prevent sites from following you around the internet and making a profile of you.

Edge also includes a Scareware Blocker, which warns you when a malicious actor tries to connect for remote support, claiming your computer contains viruses. This feature is currently in preview.

Additional reading: Microsoft Azure Websites

Credit: youtube.com, Microsoft Edge Security Settings you must change right now

Both Edge and Chrome have malware and phishing protection, with Edge using Microsoft Defender SmartScreen and Chrome using Google Safe Browsing. However, Edge's Tracking Protection has a default Balanced setting that restricts trackers, while Chrome doesn't offer any specific ad tracking protection features.

Edge's InPrivate mode gives you the option to always use Strict Tracking Protection, providing an extra layer of security for your browsing sessions. This mode also doesn't preserve your browsing history.

If you're concerned about security vulnerabilities, know that both Edge and Chrome are subject to the same exploits since they use the same Chromium web-rendering engine. However, Google addresses threats with frequent updates.

Here's an interesting read: Ms Edge Ie Mode

Features and Customization

Microsoft Edge has a pleasant design with a bare-bones look, offering dark and light modes. You can also install simple color or custom image themes from the Edge web store.

The browser's AI feature can even spin up a custom theme based on your text input, which is a clever touch. This feature is unique to Edge and adds a bit of personality to your browsing experience.

Customization options are plentiful in Edge, allowing you to choose what buttons and elements appear across the top toolbar. You can also pick a theme, customize the toolbar, adjust the context menus, and configure the browser window.

AI Features

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Microsoft Edge has been incorporating AI features for over two years, starting with Copilot AI features that can answer questions about the current page and create text or images based on a topic you describe.

You can use Copilot Mode to interact with the AI using natural language, asking it to summarize content, answer questions, and even compose social media posts and emails.

Edge's Copilot Vision is a conversational chat interface with page awareness, allowing you to direct the AI to take you to specific sites and examine page contents with its Quick Assist tool.

With Copilot Mode, you can navigate with your voice, making it a great feature for those who prefer hands-free browsing.

Edge users can also take advantage of Copilot Vision, which is available in any mode, and allows you to interact with the AI in a conversational way.

Google's Gemini feature, announced at its I/O conference in May 2025, is available now for Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra subscribers, and is "coming soon" for everyone else.

Edge's AI features are constantly evolving, with new features being added regularly, making it a great choice for those who want to stay up-to-date with the latest technology.

What Is?

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Microsoft Edge is a cross-platform web browser developed by Microsoft.

You can use Microsoft Edge to visit websites, save your favorites, check your email, hang out on social media, and watch YouTube videos.

Microsoft Edge lets you do all the things you'd expect from a web browser, making it a great option for anyone looking for a reliable and user-friendly browsing experience.

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Interface and Customization

Both Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge have a pleasant design, with Google opting for a more bare-bones look.

You can install simple color or custom image themes from their respective web stores, which affects just the browser border and home screen background.

Edge includes a clever AI feature that can spin up a custom theme based on your text input.

Both browsers let you choose what buttons and elements appear across the top toolbar.

You can customize and enhance Chrome's and Edge's capabilities and appearance with extensions.

Web banner with online information on computer
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Edge supports Chrome's extensions as well as its own extension gallery, giving you a wide range of options to choose from.

Google recently changed Chrome's extension system to Manifest 3 for security reasons, but some popular extensions like uBlock Origin are still disabled.

Luckily, uBlock Origin still works in Edge for now and even got a recent update.

Microsoft Edge has a slew of customization options, including picking a theme, customizing the toolbar, and adjusting the context menus.

You can also configure the browser window and pick Start and New Tab pages as well as display the Home button and pick its page.

Set as Default Browser

Making Microsoft Edge your default browser is a simple process that can save you time and effort in the long run. You can select the Settings and more button (three dots) in the top toolbar of Microsoft Edge.

To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Select the Settings and more button (three dots) in the top toolbar of Microsoft Edge.
  2. Choose Default browser on the left.
  3. Pick Make default at the top of the screen.

This will make Microsoft Edge open automatically when you click on a link in an email or application.

Pros and Cons

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Microsoft Edge has some impressive advantages that make it a great choice for many users. One of the biggest pros is that it's available by default in all Windows 10 & 11 systems, so you don't need to download it separately.

Microsoft Edge prioritizes performance and battery optimization more than any other browser, which is a game-changer for those with less powerful hardware. This means you can expect faster and smoother browsing, even on older machines.

Here are some of the key benefits of Microsoft Edge:

  • +Available by default in all Windows 10 & 11 systems
  • +Edge prioritizes performance and battery optimization more than any browser
  • +Includes a whole lot of useful AI-powered features
  • +The interface is designed to be familiar to Windows user

This familiarity makes it easy to transition from other browsers, and the AI-powered features add a lot of value to the browsing experience.

Pros

Microsoft Edge has some fantastic features that make it a great choice for Windows users. One of the biggest advantages is that it's available by default on all Windows 10 & 11 systems.

Edge prioritizes performance and battery optimization more than any other browser, which means it's a great choice for those who want to save battery life or get the most out of their computer's processing power.

Google Browser on Laptop
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The browser includes a whole lot of useful AI-powered features, which can help with tasks like filling out forms and providing personalized recommendations.

The interface is designed to be familiar to Windows users, making it easy to get started with Edge even if you're new to the browser.

Here are some key pros of using Microsoft Edge:

  • Available by default in all Windows 10 & 11 systems
  • Prioritizes performance and battery optimization
  • Includes AI-powered features
  • Has a familiar interface for Windows users

Cons

Edge may not be the best choice for everyone, and here's why.

One notable drawback is that Edge doesn't offer as many Extensions as some of its peers.

This could be a deal-breaker for users who rely heavily on specific extensions for their browsing experience.

If you're someone who uses a lot of extensions, you might want to consider other options.

Tech and Setup

Microsoft Edge is a powerful browser that's easy to set up and use. It's available on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices.

You can download Microsoft Edge from the Microsoft Store on Windows or the App Store on iOS and Android. To get started, simply click the "Get" button and follow the prompts.

For more insights, see: How to Add App Store to Ipad

Credit: youtube.com, 12 Microsoft Edge Settings You Should Change Immediately!

Microsoft Edge syncs your browsing data across all your devices, so you can pick up where you left off on any device. This feature is called Microsoft Edge Sync.

To set up Microsoft Edge Sync, you'll need to sign in with a Microsoft account. This will allow you to access your browsing data and other Microsoft services across all your devices.

Microsoft Edge also has a built-in ad blocker and tracking protection, which can help improve your browsing experience by blocking annoying ads and tracking scripts.

TechRadar Verdict

Microsoft Edge is the perfect browser for those who aren't tech-savvy, thanks to its beginner-friendly yet uncompromising nature.

It's also the default browser for Windows, so you won't have to put in any extra effort to set it up.

One of the key features of Microsoft Edge is its ease of use, making it a great option for those who want a hassle-free browsing experience.

Credit: youtube.com, The All-New MICROSOFT EDGE Browser - Is It Any Good?

Microsoft Edge is a good browser, worth your time, according to our evaluation and reviews from other sources.

The Edge browser is also battery and internet usage efficient, which is a must-have for those who use their laptops or computers constantly.

Here are some of the key features of Microsoft Edge:

Features

Privacy

Ease of use

Ease of Use and Data

Microsoft Edge is designed with ease of use in mind, making it perfect for those who aren't tech-savvy. Its simple interface is easy to navigate, and you won't have to go through the hassle of downloading and setting up a new browser since it comes pre-installed on most devices running Windows 10 and 11.

You can customize the browser to your liking by displaying Vertical tabs, which puts tabs on the left side of the screen instead of across the top. This is a great space-saving feature that can help declutter your browsing experience.

Credit: youtube.com, Quick Guide: Update Microsoft Edge on Your PC with Ease!

To clear browsing data stored on your device, follow these steps:

  1. In Microsoft Edge, select Settings and more > Settings > Privacy, search, and services.
  2. Under Clear browsing data, select Choose what to clear.
  3. Under Time range, choose a time range.
  4. Select the check box next to each data type you’d like to clear, and then select Clear now.

You can also clear individual passwords stored by Microsoft Edge on your device by selecting Settings and more > Settings > Profiles, and then selecting Passwords. From there, you can delete specific passwords saved for each website.

How to Clear Collected Data

If you're concerned about your online safety and want to clear out some of the data Microsoft Edge has collected, it's actually pretty straightforward. You can clear browsing info stored on your device, like saved passwords or cookies, by selecting Settings and more > Settings > Privacy, search, and services in Microsoft Edge.

To get started, you'll want to head to the Clear browsing data section and choose what to clear. This will give you a list of options, including things like browsing history, cookies, and saved passwords. From there, you can select the time range you want to clear data for, whether it's the last hour, the last day, or everything since you started using the browser.

Here's an interesting read: How to Clear Cache in Edge Windows 11

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To clear browsing history collected by Microsoft, you'll need to toggle off the setting that allows it to be shared with other Windows features. This can be found in the Profiles section of Microsoft Edge. Simply select Share browsing data with other Windows features and toggle it to off.

You can also clear individual passwords stored by Microsoft Edge on your device. To do this, head to the Passwords section of the Profiles menu and select More actions next to a website name. From there, you can delete the password saved for that site.

Ease of Use

Microsoft Edge is a great choice for those who want a simple and hassle-free browsing experience. It comes pre-installed on most devices running Windows 10 and 11, saving you the trouble of downloading and setting it up.

The browser's interface is easy to navigate, with everything you need at your fingertips. At first, it might be a bit overwhelming with too many options, but you'll soon get the hang of it.

Credit: youtube.com, Key Ease of Use Features

You can also ask Edge to display Vertical tabs, which puts tabs on the left side of the screen instead of across the top, saving space.

The Immersive Reader mode makes text easier to read by removing distracting elements from the webpage. This feature is a game-changer for those who struggle with reading on screens.

Edge also has an AI-powered Read aloud feature that helps you listen to webpage content in multiple languages. You can control the pace of the speech and even the voice accent.

This browser is perfect for people who aren't tech-savvy, as it's beginner-friendly yet uncompromising.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Edge actually better than Chrome?

Edge may be a better option for multitasking on lower-end machines, but whether it's actually better than Chrome depends on individual needs and device specifications. Consider factors like memory, performance, and features when deciding between these two popular browsers.

How do I access Microsoft Edge?

To access Microsoft Edge, go to Start > Settings > Apps > Default apps > Web browser and select Microsoft Edge from the list. You can also change your default browser to Microsoft Edge from this location.

What is Microsoft Edge and do I need it?

Microsoft Edge is a fast and secure web browser that replaces Internet Explorer, offering improved performance and a modern browsing experience. Consider upgrading to Microsoft Edge for a faster and more secure online experience.

How much does Microsoft Edge cost?

Microsoft Edge is free to use on Windows 10 devices, as it's included in the operating system. There's no additional cost to download and use the browser.

Is Edge Windows 11?

Yes, Microsoft Edge is a built-in browser in Windows 11, pre-installed and ready to use. You don't need to install it separately, as it's an integral part of the operating system.

Desiree Feest

Senior Assigning Editor

Desiree Feest is an accomplished Assigning Editor with a passion for uncovering the latest trends and innovations in technology. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for identifying emerging stories, Desiree has successfully curated content across various article categories. Her expertise spans the realm of Azure, where she has covered topics such as Azure Data Studio and Azure Tools and Software.

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