Microsoft Unveils New 'Edge' Browser to Replace Internet Explorer

Earlier this year, Microsoft debuted a new browser designed to succeed Internet Explorer. At the time, it was still under development with the code name Project Spartan, but at today's BUILD conference for developers, Microsoft shared additional details on the new browser and unveiled its name: Microsoft Edge.

According to Microsoft, the Edge name refers to being on the edge of consuming and creating. Microsoft is calling Edge "a browser built for doing," with a simple, no-frills design and access to tools for enhancing the browsing experience.


Edge has built-in note taking capabilities, letting users annotate, draw, and take notes right within the browser, and then share those website notes with friends. Microsoft says that Edge uses "blazing fast core technology," with more details available on the speed enhancements in the future.

Edge includes a distraction-free reading mode and a tab page for getting to frequently-used apps quickly. There's support for Microsoft's virtual assistant Cortana, a competitor to Apple's assistant, Siri. Cortana integration helps to build a user's home tab page, populating it with relevant content and making suggestions on related sites to visit.

One of Microsoft's earlier BUILD announcements covered tools to bring Android and iOS apps to Windows 10, and similarly, the company has built support for Chrome and Firefox extensions into the Edge browser. These existing extensions will be able to be quickly repackaged and submitted to Microsoft's extension portal, giving Edge users a wealth of extensions to use shortly after the browser launches.

One of the Chrome-based extensions that Microsoft demonstrated on stage was the Reddit Enhancement Suite, a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari that improves the browsing experience on reddit. The RES extension took "virtually no work" to take it from the Chrome Extension store to Edge.

resedge

Edge browser running Reddit Enhancement Suite from modified Chrome extension

Microsoft Edge is a next-generation browser designed to replace Internet Explorer, but Internet Explorer will stick around as its used by many of Microsoft's Enterprise customers. The Microsoft Edge browser will be built into Microsoft's upcoming Windows 10 update.

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Lower Logo Feature 1

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Monday June 30, 2025 1:08 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are less than three months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max in September this year. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models:Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an...
A18 Pro Chip

New MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Spotted in Apple Code

Monday June 30, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
Apple is developing a MacBook with the A18 Pro chip, according to findings in backend code uncovered by MacRumors. Earlier today, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip. The machine is expected to feature a 13-inch display, the A18 Pro chip, and color options that include silver, blue, pink, and yellow. MacRumors...
iPhone Car Key WWDC 2025

Apple Announces 13 Automakers Planning to Offer iPhone Car Keys

Friday June 27, 2025 11:42 am PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. During its WWDC 2025 keynote, Apple said that 13...
maxresdefault

Five Features Coming to AirPods Pro 3

Friday June 27, 2025 10:52 am PDT by
Apple hasn't updated the AirPods Pro since 2022, and the earbuds are due for a refresh. We're counting on a new model this year, and we've seen several hints of new AirPods tucked away in Apple's code. Rumors suggest that Apple has some exciting new features planned that will make it worthwhile to upgrade to the latest model. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Heal...
macbook air spacegray purple

Apple Planning to Launch Low-Cost MacBook Powered By iPhone Chip

Monday June 30, 2025 3:20 am PDT by
Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In an article published on X, Kuo explained that the device will feature a 13-inch display and the A18 Pro chip, making it the first Mac powered by an iPhone chip. The A18 Pro chip debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro last year. To date, all Apple silicon Macs have contained M-series...
anker power bank recall

PSA: Anker Recalls Multiple Power Banks Due to Fire Risk

Friday June 27, 2025 4:16 pm PDT by
Popular accessory maker Anker this month launched two separate recalls for its power banks, some of which may be a fire risk. The first recall affects Anker PowerCore 10000 Power Banks sold between June 1, 2016 and December 31, 2022 in the United States. Anker says that these power banks have a "potential issue" with the battery inside, which can lead to overheating, melting of plastic...
Chase Sapphire Reserve Apple Perk Feature

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Introduces New Perk for Apple Customers

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:08 pm PDT by
Chase this week announced a series of new perks for its premium Sapphire Reserve credit card, and one of them is for a pair of Apple services. Specifically, the credit card now offers complimentary annual subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Apple Music, a value of up to $250 per year. If you are already paying for Apple TV+ and/or Apple Music directly through Apple, those subscriptions will...
replay all time playlist apple music

Apple Music Debuts All-New Personalized Playlist

Monday June 30, 2025 7:16 am PDT by
As part of its 10-year celebrations of Apple Music, Apple today released an all-new personalized playlist that collates your entire listening history. The playlist, called "Replay All Time," expands on Apple Music's existing Replay features. Previously, users could only see their top songs for each individual calendar year that they've been subscribed to Apple Music, but now, Replay All...

Top Rated Comments

DudeAbides59 Avatar
133 months ago
Microsoft seems to be the real innovator these days. The minimalist Metro design and touch friendly apps are very appealing.
Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RogerWilco Avatar
133 months ago
Cook and Ive's missteps in OS X and iOS are handing MSFT a big opportunity. The iPad has not gained much traction in enterprise or education and Apple seems to have lost its way for anything but consumer electronics. Laugh all you want, but the guys in Redmond are doggin' it, and they may just surprise some folks with a slew of new hardware and software products.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sampaul Avatar
133 months ago
It actually looks pretty good.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
eTronic Avatar
133 months ago
I'm actually impressed with the direction Microsoft has been going in lately. Edge looks really nice. I'll reserve judgement until I've had a chance to use it/develop websites on it. Windows 10 is seeming like a great overhaul in general. :)
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Popeye206 Avatar
133 months ago
Nice. Good to see MS actually doing some cool things and not just copying or coming up with "new ways" that no one really understands.

Good for them.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Ceviche Lover Avatar
133 months ago
Looks awesome
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)