Microsoft Edge: Chrome-based browser arrives for Windows and macOS | Browsers

READ: Website gives money while you surf the internet

The Microsoft program gains access to the Chrome Web Store extensions, privacy features, and improved performance. On the other hand, some features of the old Edge cease to exist and there are few visual changes beyond the renewed logo. Here's how it changes and how to download the update.

New Chrome-based Microsoft Edge Arrives for Windows, Mac, and Mobile Photo: Disclosure / MicrosoftNew Chrome-based Microsoft Edge Arrives for Windows, Mac, and Mobile Photo: Disclosure / Microsoft

New Chrome-based Microsoft Edge Arrives for Windows, Mac, and Mobile Photo: Divulgao / Microsoft

Want to buy a cell phone, TV and other discounted products? Meet the Compare dnetc

The browser mixes elements that already existed in Edge with basic functions of Chromium, the open source version of Chrome made publicly available by Google. Because of this, although new to the program, the program is already released at 79. New issues will be released periodically every six weeks, following Chrome's update calendar.

Functions retained include Internet Explorer mode for opening old sites, and Application Guard for accessing pages in a secure environment. On the other hand, features that were little used were abandoned, such as reading mode and screen printing annotation tools for sharing.

New Microsoft Edge compatible with Google Chrome extensions Photo: Reproduction / Paulo AlvesNew Microsoft Edge compatible with Google Chrome extensions Photo: Reproduction / Paulo Alves

New Microsoft Edge compatible with Google Chrome extensions Photo: Reproduction / Paulo Alves

The main new feature of the new Edge is support for a much larger amount of extensions. Several famous Chrome plugins are already available from the Microsoft store and can be downloaded immediately with the same functionality found in the Google browser. Items not yet live can be obtained directly from the Chrome Web Store as long as the user enables installation on the Edge. According to Microsoft, some Chrome extensions that are based on Google account sign-in may not work.

New Microsoft Edge has three-level privacy protection system Photo: Divulgao / MicrosoftNew Microsoft Edge has three-level privacy protection system Photo: Divulgao / Microsoft

New Microsoft Edge has three-level privacy protection system Photo: Divulgao / Microsoft

Privacy, Colees and Bing

According to Microsoft, the new Edge focuses on privacy, with a three-level identity lock mode that is enabled by default. In addition, the company makes sure that Bing browsing and browsing privately are not attributed to the user. The company's search engine comes integrated and offers rewards for using it as a standard tool.

Another new feature is the Colees function, which allows you to create group-saved page kits. The feature is not yet available, but should arrive soon in the next updates. The list of key features also features support for 4K streaming and Dolby audio, as well as PDF annotations directly from the browser.

Edge consumes less computer resources than Chrome Photo: Reproduo / Paulo AlvesEdge consumes less computer resources than Chrome Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves

Edge consumes less computer resources than Chrome Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves

The code change makes Edge compatible with both sites and apps that run well on older EdgeHTML and Chrome, covering virtually any web site and webapp. Despite sharing the same base code as its rival, Microsoft makes sure that the new browser is twice as fast.

Preliminary reviews of specialized sites fail to pinpoint a relationship of this magnitude, but the browsing speed has been pleasing. In addition, the new Edge would have the ability to consume less RAM than Chrome, something seen as Google's main browser problem. In tests conducted by the dnetcEdge consumed about 3% less RAM and 66% less CPU than Chrome when opening the same set of eight tabs.

New Microsoft Edge Available for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS Photo: Divulgao / MicrosoftNew Microsoft Edge Available for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS Photo: Divulgao / Microsoft

New Microsoft Edge Available for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS Photo: Divulgao / Microsoft

How to download the new Microsoft Edge

The free download of the new Edge is available from microsoft/edge for Windows (7, 8, 8.1, and 10), macOS, Android, and iPhone (iOS). In Windows 10, the download replaces the old Edge on the computer. Soon, the new version will be mandatory and will be included in future operating system updates. You need to download manually on older PCs, Mac and mobile phones – other than users who already had Edge installed, who get the update automatically.

How to update Google Chrome on mobile

How to update Google Chrome on mobile