Microsoft Edge

Not to be confused with Internet Explorer.
Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge on Windows 10
Developer(s) Microsoft
Stable release

Windows 10
25.10586.0.0 (November 12, 2015 (2015-11-12)[1]) [±]

Windows 10 Mobile
25.10586.164.0 (March 17, 2016 (2016-03-17)[2]) [±]

Xbox One
25.10586.0.0 (November 12, 2015 (2015-11-12)[3]) [±]
Preview release

Windows 10
37.14332.1001.0 (April 26, 2016 (2016-04-26))
Windows Server 2016
25.10586.0.0 (November 19, 2015 (2015-11-19))

Windows 10 Mobile
34.14295.1007.0 (March 25, 2016 (2016-03-25)[4])
Written in C++[5]
Included with Windows 10, Windows 10 Mobile, Windows Server 2016, Xbox One
Engines EdgeHTML,[6] Chakra
Website www.browserfordoing.com

Microsoft Edge (codename "Spartan") is a web browser developed by Microsoft and included in the company's Windows 10 operating systems, replacing Internet Explorer as the default web browser on all device classes. Microsoft claims it is designed to be a lightweight web browser with a layout engine built around web standards.[7] It does not support ActiveX, Browser Helper Objects or any other form of plug-in (besides Adobe Flash Player), but adds new features such as integration with Cortana, annotation tools, and a reading mode. Extension support was added in March 2016.

Features

Desktop view for Microsoft Edge on mobile

Microsoft Edge is the default web browser on Windows 10, Windows 10 Mobile, and Xbox One consoles, replacing Internet Explorer 11 and Internet Explorer Mobile.[8] Microsoft initially announced that Edge would support the legacy Trident (MSHTML) layout engine for backwards compatibility but later backtracked, saying that due to "strong feedback", Edge would use a new exclusive engine, while Internet Explorer would continue to provide the legacy engine.[9]

The browser includes an integrated Adobe Flash Player, a PDF reader and supports asm.js.[10]

Edge does not support legacy technologies such as ActiveX and Browser Helper Objects, and will instead use an extension system.[6][11][12] Internet Explorer 11 will remain available alongside Edge on Windows 10 for compatibility purposes; it will remain nearly identical to the Windows 8.1 version and not use the Edge engine as was previously announced.[6][8][11]

Edge integrates with Microsoft's online platforms: it integrates with the Cortana digital assistant, available in some countries, to provide voice control, search functionality, and dynamic, personalized information related to searches within the address bar. Users can make annotations to web pages that can be stored to and shared with OneDrive.[13] It also integrates with the "Reading List" function and provides a "Reading Mode" that strips unnecessary formatting from pages to improve their legibility.[13]

Preliminary support for browser extensions was added in March 2016, with build 14291, although only three extensions were initially supported. Microsoft indicated the delay in allowing extensions and the limited number was due to security concerns.[14]

EdgeHTML

EdgeHTML is a proprietary layout engine developed for Edge. It is a fork of Trident that has removed all legacy code of older versions of Internet Explorer and rewritten the majority of its source code with web standards and interoperability with other modern browsers in mind.[15][16] EdgeHTML is written in C++.[17] The rendering engine was first released as an experimental option in Internet Explorer 11 as part of the Windows 10 Preview 9926 build.[18]

EdgeHTML is meant to be fully compatible with the WebKit layout engine used by Chrome and other browsers. Microsoft has stated that "any Edge-WebKit differences are bugs that we’re interested in fixing." [19]

A review of the engine in the beta Windows 10 build by AnandTech found substantial benchmark improvements over Trident; particularly JavaScript engine performance, which is now up to par with that of Google Chrome.[20] Other benchmarks focusing on the performance of the WebGL API found EdgeHTML to perform much better than Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.[21]

Development

In December 2014, writing for ZDNet, technology writer Mary Jo Foley reported that Microsoft was developing a new web browser codenamed "Spartan" for Windows 10. She claimed that "Spartan" would be treated as a new product separate from Internet Explorer, with Internet Explorer 11 retained alongside it for compatibility reasons.[22]

In early January 2015, The Verge obtained further details surrounding "Spartan" from sources close to Microsoft, including reports that it would replace Internet Explorer on both the desktop and mobile versions of Windows 10.[23] Microsoft officially unveiled "Spartan" during a Windows 10-focused keynote on January 21, 2015.[13] "Spartan" is marketed as a separate product from Internet Explorer; although its final name was not officially unveiled.[24]

"Spartan" was first made publicly available as the default browser of Windows 10 Technical Preview build 10049, released on March 30, 2015.[25] The new engine used by "Spartan" was available in Windows 10 builds as part of Internet Explorer 11; Microsoft has since announced that Internet Explorer would not use the engine from "Spartan", and that the browser would be deprecated on Windows 10.[8][26]

On April 29, 2015, during the Build Conference keynote, it was announced that "Spartan" would officially be known as Microsoft Edge.[27] The browser's logo and branding was designed to maintain continuity with the branding of Internet Explorer.[28] The Project "Spartan" branding was used in versions released after Build 2015. On June 25, Microsoft released version 19.10149 for Windows 10 Mobile which included the new brand. On June 28, version 20.10158 followed for the desktop versions, also including the updated branding. On July 15, Microsoft released version 20.10240 as the final release to Insiders. The same version was rolled out to consumers on July 29.

On August 12, Microsoft started the preview program for the next version of Microsoft Edge. They released version 20.10512 to Mobile-users. 6 days later followed by version 20.10525 for desktop users. The preview received multiple updates. On November 5, 2015, Microsoft released version 25.10586 as the final release for Edge's second public release for desktop users. On November 12, the update was rolled out to both desktop users and Xbox One users as part of the New Xbox Experience Update. On November 18, the update was to Windows 10 Mobile. Finally, on November 19, the update was also made available as part of the Windows Server 2016 Technical Preview 4.

Release history

Legend:
Old version
Older version, still supported
Latest version
Latest preview version
Future release
Version EdgeHTML version Release date(s) Highlights
Old version, no longer supported: 0.10.10049[29] 12.10049 Desktop: March 30, 2015

Initial release on Windows 10

Old version, no longer supported: 0.11.10051[30] 12.10051 Mobile: April 10, 2015

Initial release on Windows 10 Mobile; adds the following:

Old version, no longer supported: 0.11.10052[31] 12.10052 Mobile: April 21, 2015
Old version, no longer supported: 0.11.10061[32] 12.10061 Desktop: April 22, 2015
Old version, no longer supported: 0.11.10074[33] 12.10074 Desktop: April 29, 2015
Server: May 4, 2015

Initial release on Windows Server 2016

Old version, no longer supported: 0.11.10080[34] 12.10080 Mobile: May 14, 2015
Old version, no longer supported: 13.10122[35] 12.10122 Desktop: May 20, 2015
  • New Tab page
  • InPrivate browsing
  • Pin sites to start
Old version, no longer supported: 15.10130[36] 12.10130 Desktop: May 29, 2015
  • Revamped Settings pane
  • Hubs can now be pinned
  • Set as default PDF reader for Windows 10
  • Full screen support
Old version, no longer supported: 16.10136[37] 12.10136 Mobile: June 16, 2015
Old version, no longer supported: 19.10149[38] 12.10149 Mobile: June 25, 2015
  • Rebranded as Microsoft Edge
  • Address bar at the bottom on phones
Old version, no longer supported: 20.10158[39] 12.10158 Desktop: June 29, 2015
  • Optional Home-button
  • Import favorites from other browsers
  • Dark theme
  • Improved hub
Old version, no longer supported: 20.10159[40] 12.10159 Desktop: June 30, 2015
Old version, no longer supported: 20.10162[41] 12.10162 Desktop: July 2, 2015
Old version, no longer supported: 20.10166[42][43] 12.10166 Desktop: July 9, 2015
Mobile: July 10, 2015
  • Updated about:flags page
  • Localhost loopback is now enabled by default[44]
Older version, yet still supported: 20.10240[45] 12.10240 Desktop: July 15, 2015

First public release

  • Performance improvements[46]
Older version, yet still supported: 20.10512[47] 12.10512 Mobile: August 12, 2015
Older version, yet still supported: 20.10514[48] 12.10514 Server: August 19, 2015
Older version, yet still supported: 20.10525[49] 12.10525 Desktop: August 18, 2015
  • Basic support for Object RTC
Older version, yet still supported: 20.10532[50] 12.10532 Desktop: August 27, 2015
  • Improved render engine with Pointer Lock support, canvas blending modes, asm.js support by default and more
Older version, yet still supported: 20.10536[51] 12.10536 Mobile: September 15, 2015
Older version, yet still supported: 21.10547[52] 13.10547 Desktop: September 18, 2015
  • Object RTC API now fully supported[53]
  • EdgeHTML has been updated to version 13
  • Improved tab management
Older version, yet still supported: 21.10549[54] 13.10549 Mobile: October 14, 2015
Older version, yet still supported: 23.10565[55] 13.10565 Desktop: October 12, 2015
  • Tabs can now be previewed by hovering over them
  • Reading list items and favorites are now synced
  • Updated Settings pane
Older version, yet still supported: 25.10572[56] 13.10572 Mobile: October 20, 2015
  • Hub options are now available in the ellipses menu
Older version, yet still supported: 25.10576[57] 13.10576 Desktop: October 29, 2015
  • Media Casting
  • Cortana Integration with PDFs
Older version, yet still supported: 25.10581[58] 13.10581 Mobile: October 29, 2015
Current stable version: 25.10586[59] 13.10586 Desktop: November 5, 2015
Xbox: November 12, 2015
Mobile: November 18, 2015
Server: November 19, 2015

Second public release and initial release on Xbox One

  • Stability improvements
Older version, yet still supported: 25.11082[60] 13.11082 Desktop: December 16, 2015
  • Experimental support for VP9
Older version, yet still supported: 27.11099[61] 13.11099 Desktop: January 13, 2016
  • Initial foundation work for EdgeHTML 14
Older version, yet still supported: 28.11102[62] 13.11102 Desktop: January 21, 2016
  • Context menu for navigation buttons
Older version, yet still supported: 28.14251[63] 13.14251 Desktop: January 27, 2016
Older version, yet still supported: 28.14257[64] 13.14257 Desktop: February 3, 2016
Older version, yet still supported: 31.14267[65] 14.14267 Desktop: February 18, 2016
Mobile: February 19, 2016
  • Improved favorites management
  • Improved download management
  • EdgeHTML has been updated to version 14
  • New experimental flags
Older version, yet still supported: 31.14271[66] 14.14271 Desktop: February 24, 2016
Older version, yet still supported: 31.14279[67] 14.14279 Desktop: March 4, 2016
Older version, yet still supported: 31.14283[68] 14.14283 Mobile: March 10, 2016
Older version, yet still supported: 34.14291[69] 14.14291 Desktop: March 17, 2016
Mobile: March 17, 2016
  • Preliminary extension support added
  • Pinned tab support added
  • Ability to copy and paste links in Microsoft Edge added
  • Preview support for VP9 video format added
Older version, yet still supported: 34.14295[70] 14.14295 Desktop: March 25, 2016
Mobile: March 25, 2016
  • Fixed an issue where Edge would refresh the tab if you pressed caps lock in a password field
Latest preview version of a future release: 37.14316[71] 14.14316 Desktop: April 6, 2016
  • Download reminders
  • Default save locations can be changed
  • Favorite Tree View improvements
  • New JavaScript features
  • Experimental JavaScript ES6 Regex symbols support
  • New Web Platform features

Performance

Early benchmarks of the EdgeHTML engine—included in the first beta release of Edge in Windows 10[72] Build 10049—demonstrated drastically improved JavaScript performance in comparison to Trident 7 in Internet Explorer 11, and that Microsoft's new browser had similar performance to Google Chrome 41 and Mozilla Firefox 37. In the SunSpider benchmark, Edge performed faster than other browsers,[73] while in other benchmarks it operated slower than Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Opera.[74]

Later benchmarks conducted with the version included in 10122 showed significant performance improvement compared to both IE11 and Edge back in 10049. According to Microsoft's own benchmark result, this iteration of Edge performed better than both Chrome and Firefox in Google's Octane 2.0 and Apple's Jetstream benchmark.[75]

In July 2015, Edge scored 402 out of 555 points on the HTML5test. Chrome 43 and Firefox 38 scored 526 and 467 respectively, while Internet Explorer 11 scored 336.[76]

In August 2015, Microsoft released Windows 10 Build 10532 to insiders, which included Edge 21.10532.0. This beta version scored 440 out of 555 points on the HTML5test, this score is however lower by 5 points due to an error in the test feature detection; the real score should be 445 out of 555 points.[77]

Reception

In an August 2015 review by Dan Grabham of Techradar of Windows 10, Microsoft Edge was praised for its performance, albeit not being in a feature-complete state at launch.[78] Andrew Cunningham of Ars Technica praised the browser for being "tremendously promising", and "a much better browser than Internet Explorer ever was", but criticized it for its lack of functionality on launch.[79] Thom Holwerda of OSNews criticized Edge in August 2015 for its hidden URL bar, lack of user friendliness, poor design and a tab system that is "so utterly broken it should never have shipped in a final release". He described the browser's implemented features as "some sort of cosmic joke", saying that "infuriating doesn't even begin to describe it".[80]

Data from August 2015, a few weeks after release, showed that user uptake of Edge was low, with only 2% of overall computer users using the new browser. Among Windows 10 users usage peaked at 20% and then dropped to 14% through August 2015,[81] as users tried it and many stopped using it in favor of other browsers.

In October 2015, a security researcher published a report outlining a bug in Edge's "InPrivate" mode, causing data related to visited sites to still be cached in the user's profile directory, theoretically making it possible for others to determine sites visited. The bug gained mainstream attention in February 2016,[82] and was fixed with a cumulative update on February 9.[83]

Market share

Desktop/Laptop browser statistics
Google Chrome
 
60.1%
Mozilla Firefox
 
15.69%
Internet Explorer
 
13.7%
Safari
 
4.62%
Microsoft Edge
 
2.15%
Opera
 
1.96%
Other/Unknown
 
1.85%
Desktop web browser market share according to StatCounter for March 2016.[84]

See also

References

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Further reading

External links

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