How to start using the new Microsoft Edge browser for Windows 10
In this guide, we’ll help you get started with the new Chromium version of Microsoft Edge on Windows 10.
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Microsoft is moving away from its own version of Microsoft Edge, and is replacing it with a new browser that carries the same name, but it’s based on Chromium, an open-source web rendering engine developed by Google, which is also the engine behind Chrome, Opera, Amazon Silk, and many other browsers.
The new browser looks very similar to Google Chrome, but the company has implemented its own tweaks to make it look and feel more like the legacy version of Microsoft Edge to minimize the learning curve. However, the switch it’s not about looks, one of the main reasons for the decision to adopt the Chromium engine was to bring better compatibility for websites and extensions while reducing fragmentation for developers.
Read our full review of the new Microsoft Edge
In addition, using the open-source framework enables the development team to build new experiences. For instance, the latest version of the browser now includes a “tracking prevention” system that blocks harmful online trackers to protect your privacy, and “Profiles” allows to share the browser with other people without altering your experience.
Then you also have “Collections,” which is a new feature in development that allows you to gather content from the web to organize researches. And Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) support lets you install websites as native apps onWindows 10. Also, adopting an open model allows the company to expand the browser to other platforms, including Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android.
In this Windows 10 guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to get started with the new version of Microsoft Edge, whether you’re coming from the legacy version or another browser, such as Chrome or Firefox.
How to install Microsoft Edge Chromium
Starting January 15, 2020, Microsoft is expected to begin the slow rollout of the new browser using Windows Update, which means that checking for updates after the release date will update Microsoft Edge to the latest version. However, you can always download and install the new browser manually.
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Checking if Edge is installed
To check if you’re already using Chromium Edge, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, you’ll know for sure if you need to download and install the new version of Edge.
Installing Edge automatically
To check for updates to install Microsoft Edge Chromium, use these steps:
Important:Inintially, the new browser is available as manual download. The installation through Windows Update will arrive on a later update, and it’ll rollout gradually. If you’re looking to switch to the Edge now, using the manual download is your best option.
After you complete the steps, Windows Update should download and install the new version of Edge automatically.
Installing Edge manually
If the Chromium version of Edge isn’t available through Windows Update, you can install it manually using these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the new Edge browser will install replacing the legacy version.
Complete initial Edge setup
To complete the initial setup and get started with Chromium Edge, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, you can start the new experience of Microsoft Edge based on the Chromium engine.
How to navigate settings on Microsoft Edge Chromium
Once you complete the initial setup, you’ll be presented with the new version of the browser, which, even though it is a different experience, you’ll still find it similar to the legacy version.
For instance, you still have tabs in the top-left, and address bar immediately after the navigation control and next to the browser buttons (favorites, account, and settings), but the settings experience is a little different.
To access the settings of the new Microsoft Edge, use these steps:
While in Settings, you’ll notice that unlike the legacy version, the Chromium version of Edge displays settings on a page instead of a flyout menu.
On the left side, you have a search box to quickly find the settings that you want to customize and a list ofOn the left side, you have a search box to quickly find the settings that you want to customize and a list of settings organized by categories, including: settings organized by categories, including:
How to set up a user profile on Microsoft Edge Chromium
One of the new features of the Microsoft Edge is the ability to create multiple profiles to allow other people to use the browser without the need to create additional accounts on Windows 10 and without interfering with your experience.
Adding new profile to Edge
To set up a new profile, use these steps:
Important:The initial setup will create and configure the first profile. However, you can use the following instructions to create additional profiles.
Once you complete the steps, you can start using the browser with the new profile and settings.
Managing profiles on Edge
To manage profiles on Microsoft Edge, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, you’ll have a better understanding of the steps to manage profile settings on the new Edge.
How to import settings from another browser on Microsoft Edge Chromium
In the new version of Microsoft Edge, you can also bring your settings from other web browsers, such as Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or settings exported to an HTML file.
To get started importing settings from another browser, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, bookmarks, search engines, history, passwords, and other settings from your previous browser will be available on Microsoft Edge.
If you’re coming from the legacy version of Microsoft Edge and you’re using theReading listfeature, after importing your settings, your saved articles will be imported under theReading list savesfolder, inside theOthers favoritesfolder.
How to manage favorites on Microsoft Edge Chromium
Similar to the legacy version and most modern browsers, Chromium Edge allows you to save and manage websites links as favorites for quick access at a later time.
Saving favorites on Edge
To save favorites on Chromium Edge, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the link will be saved in your favorites list and sync across devices if you’re using a profile signed in with the Microsoft account.
Managing favorites on Edge
To manage favorites on Microsoft Edge, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, you’ll have a more organized list of the sites you visit frequently.
How to change default search engine on Microsoft Edge Chromium
By default, Microsoft Edge uses Bing as the default search engine, but if you prefer to use a different engine (such as Google or DuckDuckGo), you can use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the next time you start a search using the address bar, Chromium Edge will return the results using the search engine you specified.
How to install extensions on Microsoft Edge Chromium
Alongside better compatibility and cross-platform support, one of the best features that you’ll find with the new version of the browser is the ability to install extensions from the Microsoft Store as well as from the Chrome Web Store.
Installing extensions made for Edge
To install an extension from the Microsoft Store, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, you can start using the extension to extend the functionalities of the browser.
Installing extensions made for Google Chrome
To install extensions from the Chrome Web Store, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the extension will install, and it should work exactly like in the Chrome browser.
How to install a website as a web app on Microsoft Edge Chromium
The Chromium version of Microsoft Edge also comes with support forProgressive Web Apps (PWAs), which is a feature that allows you to install websites as native apps on Windows 10 with additional capabilities, including the ability to work offline, automatic updates, notifications, Start menu registration, and uninstall process like regular apps.
Although developers are the ones responsible for adding PWA capabilities to their projects, you can install virtually any website as a web app with the new Edge.
To get started installing websites as web apps using Chromium Edge, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the site will install as a web app, and it’ll be available in the taskbar, Start menu, and you’ll be able to uninstall it using the Settings app like any other modern app.
How to configure tracking prevention on Microsoft Edge Chromium
Whenever you visit a website, third-party trackers can collect data about your online behavior (sites you visit, clicks, interests, and more) using cookies and other storage mechanisms, and this information can then be accessed by companies to deliver a more personalized experience and target you with advertisements.
Tracking prevention is a new feature designed to detect and block third-party services from collecting information about your activities to improve your privacy.
To configure tracking prevention on Microsoft Edge, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, third-party trackers will be blocked according to settings that you specified.
You can also click the “Blocked trackers” option to view all the sites that the browser prevented from tracking your information. If you want to allow a tracker, you can click the “Exceptions” option to add it manually.
How to manage browsing history on Microsoft Edge Chromium
As you browse the web, Microsoft Edge records the sites you visit and files you download and store data, such as cookies and images. All this information is part of your history, which you can view and delete as needed.
Viewing browsing history on Edge
To view your browsing history on Microsoft Edge, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, you’ll be able to see and manage the sites you visited.
Clearing browsing history and other data on Edge
To delete your browsing history, cookies, site data, site permissions, cached images, and more, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, you’ll need to sign in again to certain websites, and sites may take a little longer than usual to load as the browser needs to re-cache the data back.
How to customize appearance on Microsoft Edge Chromium
Although the default customization settings are suited for most users, Microsoft Edge includes several options to personalize your experience and make you more productive.
Changing color theme
To switch between the light and dark theme on Microsoft Edge, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the theme color will update according to your settings. If you’re using the “System default” option, then the browser will switch its color scheme when changing the Windows 10 color preferences using the Settings app.
Showing favorites bar
To enable or disable favorites below the address bar, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the favorites bar will be visible below the address bar according to your configuration.
If you prefer not to see the name of your favorites in the bar, you can right-click each item and select theShow icon onlyoption.
Enabling home button
To add the home button in the navigation controls of Microsoft Edge, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the home button will appear next to the refresh button, and clicking the button will open a new tab or web page depending on your configuration.
How to manage downloads on Microsoft Edge Chromium
Similar to its predecessor, with the new version of Microsoft Edge, you can view a history of your downloaded files, and you have an option to specify a default download location.
Viewing downloads on Edge
To see the history of downloaded files on Chromium Edge, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, you’ll be able to see your download history sorted by file type.
Changing default download folder on Edge
To change the location where the browser stores downloaded content, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, any file you download from the internet will be stored in the new folder location you specified.
How to set Microsoft Edge Chromium as default browser
To make Chromium Edge your default browser on Windows 10, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the new version of Microsoft Edge will become the default experience for links and applications.
Features no longer available with Microsoft Edge Chromium
Although the new version of Microsoft Edge continues to offer a similar experience to the legacy version, it’s a browser-based on an entirely different platform. As a result, you’ll notice some missing features.
For instance, the new version of the browser uses the more capable Google’s Chromium engine to load and render websites. As a result, the EdgeHTML rendering engine is no longer available.
Also, even though you can still annotate PDF documents using inking mode, at least in the initial release of the browser, you can’t use a stylus to annotate and share web pages.
Reading List, the feature that allows you to save articles for later viewing is no longer available. However, you can still use theReading Viewexperience to remove the clutter from pages for an improved and less distracting reading experience, but without theLearning tools.
Tabs you’ve set asideis another feature that’s not available with the Chromium version of Edge, but you can now useCollections(available in future releases), which is a new experience to collect content from the web to organize researches, trips, create lesson plans, and more.
In the legacy version of the browser, you’re able to hover over open taps to see thubnail previews of websites to quickly switch to the correct page, but this isn’t a feature of the new browser. Google Chrome includes a similar feature, but it’s unclear when (if ever) the same tab preview feature will available on Microsoft Edge.
Starting with the new version of the browser,Cortanais no longer part of the experience to provide search previews, smart suggestions, and quick answers to questions, among other things.
Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.
