Have You Tried The Microsoft Edge Browser?
Microsoft’s Internet Explorer has been around from the early beginnings of the World-Wide Web. Over the years, it was sometimes immersed in controversy since it was “built into” some previous Windows versions. Well, not quite, since knowledgeable users knew how to install other browsers. But when Windows 10 came along, along with it came a new browser, Microsoft Edge. Below are some interesting, frequently asked questions.
What Great Things Can Microsoft Edge Do?
The following wonderful features exist on the newest Chromium-based version of Microsoft Edge, released January 15, 2020.
- It has a new Collections feature that helps organize favorite webpages.
- Web Note allows you to annotate web pages you find with a pen, highlighter, or typed notes. You can even do artful doodling on those pages, then save them in Edge or into MS OneNote.
- It natively supports 4K video viewing, Dolby Audio, and Dolby Vision.
- It runs on and syncs passwords, favorite websites, and settings on macOS, iOS, and Android. A Linux version is also rumored to be in the works for release later in 2020.
- We are all familiar with horizontal web page tabs, but Edge also has an option to make them vertical, which is great for having lots of tabs open at the same time.
- When you use passwords, Password Monitor will check autofill passwords against a database to see if they are in use elsewhere.
- As with all great browsers, Edge also has a Privacy Mode.
Does Microsoft Edge Have Good Internet Protection?
The World-Wide Web, the wild-wild-West of the Internet, danger lurks all around. Cyber-thieves could use adware, malvertising, pharming, formjacking attacks, and man-in-the-middle browser attacks. Webpages may have malicious or poorly programmed scripts able to harm your computer and compromise your security. MS Edge is one of the major browsers in use, so all the reputable security software companies work together with Microsoft to create safe, seamless browsing experiences. Microsoft is continually being attacked from all sides, so its products are always being updated whenever issues are discovered.
Even if you were to accidentally lose or turn off your computer protection software suite of products, MS Edge works with other Windows applications to protect against the most common Internet hazards.
How Often Is Edge Updated?
Windows 10 users know that Microsoft has monthly updates for their systems. MS Edge will sometimes be updated at the same time. The user can also manually do updates or turn on automatic updating.
Is Microsoft Edge Based on Chromium?
The first version of Microsoft Edge came with the launch of Windows 10 using a proprietary Microsoft technology. Starting on January 15, 2020, Microsoft launched a new Google-Chromium-based Edge browser. In some ways, Microsoft’s version is more advanced than Google’s Chrome. For example, it already has anti-tracking defenses built-in. Edge has its own add-on market, however, add-ons can also be obtained from the Chrome Web Store.
Do I Have To Use Microsoft Edge?
If you use Internet Explorer 11 or an earlier version, you are probably using an operating system that will eventually no longer be supported. When that operating system reaches the end of its lifecycle, Microsoft will also phase out all support for that version of Internet Explorer.
However, you can use Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and many other browsers. Each browser has its strengths and weaknesses. Hard-core users of Chrome often find that MS Edge will often work where Chrome fails.
Should I Use Microsoft Edge?
Does your company require you to log in from home to get access to special web-based database applications? If so, you want to first check with your corporate IT office to see if their software is running software using legacy DLLs: ActiveX Controls, Silverlight, or Java. It is very expensive to make reliable, stable custom controls for specific company needs, so your IT department may want you to wait before trying to access their website for home-based work purposes. However, they may also give you special instructions on how to configure Microsoft Edge to run in IE mode or enterprise mode. Remember, for home-based work with established companies, ask them what upgrades work best before trying something new.
What About Edge with Adobe Flash, ActiveX, Silverlight, or Javascript?
Adobe is ending Adobe Flash after 2020, but Edge supports web pages with and without it. Edge does not support BHOs like Silverlight or Java, nor ActiveX controls. For operating systems that still support Internet Explorer 11, Edge can be set to open web pages with those technologies in IE 11 automatically.
Should I Try the New Microsoft Edge?
Yes! But make sure you first learn it on a personal computer or device. Anybody who does research on the Internet will like the new features within the Edge Browser.
