Microsoft Edge is a web browser developed by Microsoft. It was first released on July 29, 2015, as part of the Windows 10 operating system, replacing Internet Explorer as the default browser. Here are some key points about Microsoft Edge:
History and Development
- Initial Release: The browser was initially introduced with the code name "Project Spartan" before its official naming as Microsoft Edge.
- EdgeHTML Engine: The first version of Edge used EdgeHTML as its rendering engine, which was a fork of the Trident engine used by Internet Explorer, with significant improvements in performance and standards compliance.
- Transition to Chromium: In December 2018, Microsoft announced that Edge would be rebuilt using the Chromium open-source project, aiming for better compatibility with web standards and extensions. The new Chromium-based Edge was released on January 15, 2020.
Features
- Performance: Edge boasts improved performance in terms of speed and efficiency, thanks to its Chromium base.
- Extensions: With the shift to Chromium, Edge now supports the Chrome Web Store extensions, significantly increasing the number of available extensions.
- Vertical Tabs: A unique feature allowing users to display tabs vertically, which helps manage multiple tabs more efficiently.
- Collections: Users can gather and organize information from the web into collections for easy reference or sharing.
- Immersive Reader: A feature designed to enhance reading experience by removing distractions and offering options like text-to-speech.
Platform Support
- Windows: Available on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
- macOS: Edge is also available for macOS.
- Mobile: Edge is available on both iOS and Android platforms.
- Linux: Microsoft has provided a Linux version of Edge, released in October 2020.
Privacy and Security
- Tracking Prevention: Edge includes features to block trackers, with three levels of protection: Basic, Balanced, and Strict.
- Password Monitor: Alerts users if their saved passwords have been compromised in data breaches.
- SmartScreen: A built-in tool that helps protect against phishing and malware by checking websites against a list of known harmful sites.
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