Microsoft Edge to Become Chromium-Based Browser Soon
UPDATE: Chromium-based Microsoft Edge now available for download:
Download Stable Version of New “Microsoft Edge” Browser
Download Microsoft Edge Preview Builds for Windows and MacOS
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[FAQ] Everything You Want to Know About Microsoft Edge Web Browser
Here is a good news for Windows 10 users who like or dislike the built-in and default Microsoft Edge web browser. Microsoft Edge browser was developed as an UWP app (also known as modern, metro or store app) to replace the classic Internet Explorer web browser. Edge uses its own EdgeHTML and Chakra web rendering engine which makes the browser different from others.
But Edge browser lacks lots of features, functionality and add-ons. Also Edge was exclusive to Windows 10 only. Microsoft didn’t make it available for other Windows versions such as Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1, etc.
Now here is a good news. Microsoft has announced that the company will adopt Chromium open source project in the development of Microsoft Edge which means Microsoft Edge rendering engine will be switched to popular Blink engine. Chromium is an open-source version of popular Google Chrome web browser and its rendering engine called Blink powers many famous browsers such as Google Chrome, Opera and Vivaldi.
Next year the switch will be made and Microsoft Edge will be powered by Chromium’s blink rendering engine.
What to Expect with Chromium-powered Microsoft Edge?
It’s a very good news for Windows users. Once Microsoft Edge becomes Chromium-based web browser, we can expect all features and functionality of other Chromium-powered browsers brought to Edge. Google Chrome, Opera and Vivaldi provide lots of useful features, so we can expect them also available in Microsoft Edge browser.
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Also Microsoft Edge users will be able to install and use all Chrome, Opera add-ons/extensions due to same rendering engine.
Chromium is regularly updated with security and performance fixes, so we can expect regular updates for Microsoft Edge too which will make the browser more secure and faster.
Also we’ll be able to use the hidden secret advanced configuration page like Chrome://flags, Opera://flags in Microsoft Edge to tweak and customize its appearance and functionality. We’ll be able to enable/disable features by changing hidden preferences.
UPDATE: Microsoft Edge’s Hidden Secret “Edge://Flags” Page Tips
The best thing would happen with Edge is that it’ll also be released for other Windows versions along with Windows 10 such as Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. Microsoft has also plans to release it for MacOS as well.
Test Chromium-based Microsoft Edge Browser:
Microsoft Edge will be switched to Chromium engine next year. But if you are eager to test its features and UI, you can register for Microsoft Edge Insider program which will allow you to early test drive Chromium-based Microsoft Edge web browser.
To register for beta program, check out following link:
After registering wait for some time and Microsoft will send you an email as soon as preview builds become available for Microsoft Edge browser based on Chromium web rendering engine. We are expecting the first preview build of Chromium-based Microsoft Edge in early 2019.
PS: There are news that the codename of Chromium-powered Microsoft Edge browser would be Anaheim. If you are wondering what is Anaheim? It’s a city in California.
Also Check:
Thanks for this update.
that link above alert my AVAST as a phishing web microsoftedgeinsider.com
^^ That’s an official Microsoft web page. Avast is showing a false positive alert.
Will Microsoft Edge completely replace browser from EdgeHTML to Chromium?
I used built in Microsoft Edge(no addons installed) in Windows 10 Creative Update and it opens web page faster in 4G/3G network as compare to Chromium(Google) and Quantum(Firefox) engine based browser(without any add-ons or extensions), but only bad think in 3rd party add-ons not available outside Windows Store, even if add-on is free, and updates of Microsoft Edge only available in Windows Update, but I disabled Windows Update due to driver compatibility and performance issue, and Microsoft Edge only browser support EdgeHTML.
But it’s ture that Microsoft Edge app for Android looks like Google Chrome for Android and only Chromium based app support built-in ad block.
^^ Yes. Edge will completely move from EdgeHTML to Chromium. Edge for Android is already using Chromium.