After months of waiting, Microsoft has finally released its feverishly anticipated new edition of Edge which is built on the same foundational code as Google Chrome. The new browser comes with an entirely new user interface, tracking prevention technologies, and even supports the same extensions as Chrome. Eager to give the new client a try? Here’s how you can do exactly that.
If you’re running Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or macOS, you can download the new Microsoft Edge right now. All you need to do is head over to Microsoft’s Edge site and hit the large “download” button plastered front and centre. Remember, you’ll need to click the arrow prompt next to the button to pick the version for the correct operating system.
Once everything is installed you’ll see the new version of Microsoft Edge on your computer – if you already had Edge installed, you’ll see its logo adopt an ocean wave-style aesthetic.
When you launch the new browser for the first time, you’ll be given the option to import data from Google Chrome such as your bookmarks for instance. Handy, right?
Of course, you’ll be given the option to sign-in to your Microsoft account if you have one, so all your favourites, passwords and everything else are instantly accessible from the old version of Microsoft Edge.
To get the new Edge for Android and iOS, you’ll have to head to the Google Play Store and App Store respectively. Once again you’re able to log in with your Microsoft account so you’re not starting afresh.
So why should you give Microsoft’s souped-up version of Edge a try? Well, the browser isn’t just a Chrome clone – it has a few nifty tricks up its sleeve you should know about.
Microsoft is touting the tracking prevention capabilities of the new Edge, which means fewer websites should be able to gather information about you – like webpages you’ve visited, the amount of times you’ve clicked on something, and much more.
The Redmond-based firm offers three tracking prevention options within the “privacy and services” section of the new Edge that are designed to give you control over who can track you and who can’t. The options available are: basic, balanced and strict.
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Each is fairly self-explanatory – strict will make sure most of the trackers on all sites will be blocked, meaning you should see less personalised ads when surfing the web. Balanced strikes a fair middle ground while basic allows most trackers online to gather information about you.
By far one of the best features of Edge is the Immersive Reader that’s engineered from the ground-up to make online articles more friendly to read. The browser lets you alter the size of the text, the background colour of the page and even the spacing between text.
If that wasn’t enough, you can also have the browser read pages aloud to you – perfect for the multitaskers out there.
Finally, the client also supports a dark theme, so you can browse the web without burning your retinas and saving your device’s battery life at the same time.
The new version of Microsoft Edge is available to download right now.
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