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Microsoft Edge

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Not to be confused with Internet Explorer.

Microsoft Edge
Developer(s)Microsoft
Preview release
Windows 10
31.14267.1000.0 (February 18, 2016; 8 years ago (2016-02-18))

Windows Server 2016
25.10586.0.0 (November 19, 2015; 8 years ago (2015-11-19))
Windows 10 Mobile
31.14267.1002.0 (February 1, 2016; 8 years ago (2016-02-01)[1])

EnginesEdgeHTML,[2] Chakra
Included withWindows 10, Windows 10 Mobile, Windows Server 2016, Xbox One
Websitewww.browserfordoing.com

Microsoft Edge (codename "Spartan") is a web browser developed by Microsoft and included in the company's Windows 10 operating systems, replacing Internet Explorer as the default web browser on all device classes. Microsoft claims it is designed to be a lightweight web browser with a layout engine built around web standards.[3] It does not support ActiveX and Browser Helper Objects but adds new features such as integration with Cortana, annotation tools and a reading mode.

Features

Desktop view for Microsoft Edge on mobile

Microsoft Edge is the default web browser on both the PC and Windows 10 Mobile, replacing Internet Explorer 11 and Internet Explorer Mobile.[4] Microsoft initially announced that Edge would support the legacy MSHTML engine for backwards compatibility but later backtracked, saying that due to "strong feedback", Edge would use a new exclusive engine, while Internet Explorer will continue to provide the legacy engine.[5]

The browser includes an integrated Adobe Flash Player, a PDF reader and supports asm.js.[6]

Edge does not support legacy technologies such as ActiveX and Browser Helper Objects, and will instead use an extension system.[2][7][8] Internet Explorer 11 will remain available alongside Edge on Windows 10 for compatibility purposes; it will remain nearly identical to the Windows 8.1 version and not use the Edge engine as was previously announced.[2][4][7]

Edge integrates with Microsoft's online platforms: it integrates with the Cortana digital assistant to provide voice control, search functionality, and dynamic, personalized information related to searches within the address bar. Users can make annotations to web pages that can be stored to and shared with OneDrive.[9] It also integrates with the "Reading List" function and provides a "Reading Mode" that strips unnecessary formatting from pages to improve their legibility.[9]

EdgeHTML

EdgeHTML is a proprietary layout engine developed for Edge. It is a fork of MSHTML that has removed all legacy code of older versions of Internet Explorer and rewritten the majority of its source code with web standards and interoperability with other modern browsers in mind.[10][11] EdgeHTML is written in C++.[12] The rendering engine was first released as an experimental option in Internet Explorer 11 as part of the Windows 10 Preview 9926 build.[13]

EdgeHTML is meant to be fully compatible with the WebKit layout engine used by Chrome and other browsers. Microsoft has stated that "any Edge-WebKit differences are bugs that we’re interested in fixing." [14]

A review of the engine in the beta Windows 10 build by AnandTech found substantial benchmark improvements over Trident; particularly JavaScript engine performance, which is now up to par with that of Google Chrome.[15] Other benchmarks focusing on the performance of the WebGL API found EdgeHTML to perform much better than Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.[16]

Development

In December 2014, writing for ZDNet, technology writer Mary Jo Foley reported that Microsoft was developing a new web browser codenamed "Spartan" for Windows 10. She claimed that "Spartan" would be treated as a new product separate from Internet Explorer, with Internet Explorer 11 retained alongside it for compatibility reasons.[17]

In early January 2015, The Verge obtained further details surrounding "Spartan" from sources close to Microsoft, including reports that it would replace Internet Explorer on both the desktop and mobile versions of Windows 10.[18] Microsoft officially unveiled "Spartan" during a Windows 10-focused keynote on January 21, 2015.[9] "Spartan" is marketed as a separate product from Internet Explorer; although its final name was not officially unveiled.[19]

"Spartan" was first made publicly available as the default browser of Windows 10 Technical Preview build 10049, released on March 30, 2015.[20] The new engine used by "Spartan" was available in Windows 10 builds as part of Internet Explorer 11; Microsoft has since announced that Internet Explorer would not use the engine from "Spartan", and that the browser would be deprecated on Windows 10.[4][21]

On April 29, 2015, during the Build Conference keynote, it was announced that "Spartan" would officially be known as Microsoft Edge.[22] The browser's logo and branding was designed to maintain continuity with the branding of Internet Explorer.[23] The Project "Spartan" branding was used in versions released after Build 2015. On June 25th, Microsoft released version 19.10149 for Windows 10 Mobile which included the new brand. On June 28th, version 20.10158 followed for the desktop versions, also including the updated branding. On July 15th, Microsoft released version 20.10240 as the final release to Insiders. The same version was rolled out to consumers on July 29th.

On August 12th, Microsoft started the preview program for the next version of Microsoft Edge. They released version 20.10512 to Mobile-users. 6 days later followed by version 20.10525 for desktop users. The preview received multiple updates. On November 5th, 2015, Microsoft released version 25.10586 as the final release for Edge's second public release for desktop users. On November 12th, the update was rolled out to both desktop users and Xbox One users as part of the New Xbox Experience Update. On November 18th, the update was to Windows 10 Mobile. Finally, on November 19th, the update was also made available as part of the Windows Server 2016 Technical Preview 4.[citation needed]

Release history

Legend:
Old version, not maintained
Old version, still maintained
Latest version
Latest preview version
Future release
Version EdgeHTML version Release date(s) Highlights
Old version, no longer maintained: 0.10.10049[24] 12.10049 Desktop: March 30, 2015

Initial release on Windows 10

Old version, no longer maintained: 0.11.10051[25] 12.10051 Mobile: April 10, 2015

Initial release on Windows 10 Mobile; adds the following:

Old version, no longer maintained: 0.11.10052[26] 12.10052 Mobile: April 21, 2015
Old version, no longer maintained: 0.11.10061[27] 12.10061 Desktop: April 22, 2015
Old version, no longer maintained: 0.11.10074[28] 12.10074 Desktop: April 29, 2015
Server: May 4, 2015

Initial release on Windows Server 2016

Old version, no longer maintained: 0.11.10080[29] 12.10080 Mobile: May 14, 2015
Old version, no longer maintained: 13.10122[30] 12.10122 Desktop: May 20, 2015
  • New Tab page
  • InPrivate browsing
  • Pin sites to start
Old version, no longer maintained: 15.10130[31] 12.10130 Desktop: May 29, 2015
  • Revamped Settings pane
  • Hubs can now be pinned
  • Set as default PDF reader for Windows 10
  • Full screen support
Old version, no longer maintained: 16.10136[32] 12.10136 Mobile: June 16, 2015
Old version, no longer maintained: 19.10149[33] 12.10149 Mobile: June 25, 2015
  • Rebranded as Microsoft Edge
  • Address bar at the bottom on phones
Old version, no longer maintained: 20.10158[34] 12.10158 Desktop: June 29, 2015
  • Optional Home-button
  • Import favorites from other browsers
  • Dark theme
  • Improved hub
Old version, no longer maintained: 20.10159[35] 12.10159 Desktop: June 30, 2015
Old version, no longer maintained: 20.10162[36] 12.10162 Desktop: July 2, 2015
Old version, no longer maintained: 20.10166[37][38] 12.10166 Desktop: July 9, 2015
Mobile: July 10, 2015
  • Updated about:flags page
  • Localhost loopback is now enabled by default[39]
Old version, yet still maintained: 20.10240[40] 12.10240 Desktop: July 15, 2015

First public release

  • Performance improvements[41]
Old version, no longer maintained: 20.10512[42] 12.10512 Mobile: August 12, 2015
Old version, no longer maintained: 20.10514[43] 12.10514 Server: August 19, 2015
Old version, no longer maintained: 20.10525[44] 12.10525 Desktop: August 18, 2015
  • Basic support for Object RTC
Old version, no longer maintained: 20.10532[45] 12.10532 Desktop: August 27, 2015
  • Improved render engine with Pointer Lock support, canvas blending modes, asm.js support by default and more
Old version, no longer maintained: 20.10536[46] 12.10536 Mobile: September 15, 2015
Old version, no longer maintained: 21.10547[47] 13.10547 Desktop: September 18, 2015
  • Object RTC API now fully supported[48]
  • EdgeHTML has been updated to version 13
  • Improved tab management
Old version, no longer maintained: 21.10549[49] 13.10549 Mobile: October 14, 2015
Old version, no longer maintained: 23.10565[50] 13.10565 Desktop: October 12, 2015
  • Tabs can now be previewed by hovering over them
  • Reading list items and favorites are now synced
  • Updated Settings pane
Old version, no longer maintained: 25.10572[51] 13.10572 Mobile: October 20, 2015
  • Hub options are now available in the ellipses menu
Old version, no longer maintained: 25.10576[52] 13.10576 Desktop: October 29, 2015
  • Media Casting
  • Cortana Integration with PDFs
Old version, no longer maintained: 25.10581[53] 13.10581 Mobile: October 29, 2015
Current stable version: 25.10586[54] 13.10586 Desktop: November 5, 2015
Xbox: November 12, 2015
Mobile: November 18, 2015
Server: November 19, 2015

Second public release and initial release on Xbox One

  • Stability improvements
Old version, yet still maintained: 25.11082[55] 13.11082 Desktop: December 16, 2015
  • Experimental support for VP9
Old version, yet still maintained: 27.11099[56] 13.11099 Desktop: January 13, 2016
  • Initial foundation work for EdgeHTML 14
Old version, yet still maintained: 28.11102[57] 13.11102 Desktop: January 21, 2016
  • Context menu for navigation buttons
Old version, yet still maintained: 28.14251[58] 13.14251 Desktop: January 27, 2016
Old version, yet still maintained: 28.14257[59] 13.14257 Desktop: February 3, 2016
Latest preview version of a future release: 31.14267[60] 14.14267 Desktop: February 18, 2016
Mobile: February 19, 2016
  • Improved favorites management
  • Improved download management
  • EdgeHTML has been updated to version 14
  • New experimental flags

Performance

Early benchmarks of the EdgeHTML engine—included in the first beta release of Edge in Windows 10 Build 10049—demonstrated drastically improved JavaScript performance in comparison to Trident 7 in Internet Explorer 11, and that Microsoft's new browser had similar performance to Google Chrome 41 and Mozilla Firefox 37. In the SunSpider benchmark, Edge performed faster than other browsers,[61] while in other benchmarks it operated slower than Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Opera.[62]

Later benchmarks conducted with the version included in 10122 showed significant performance improvement compared to both IE11 and Edge back in 10049. According to Microsoft's own benchmark result, this iteration of Edge performed better than both Chrome and Firefox in Google's Octane 2.0 and Apple's Jetstream benchmark.[63]

In July 2015, Edge scored 402 out of 555 points on the HTML5test. Chrome 43 and Firefox 38 scored 526 and 467 respectively, while Internet Explorer 11 scored 336.[64]

In August 2015, Microsoft released Windows 10 Build 10532 to insiders, which included Edge 21.10532.0. This beta version scored 440 out of 555 points on the HTML5test, this score is however lower by 5 points due to an error in the test feature detection; the real score should be 445 out of 555 points.[65]

Reception

In an August 2015 review by Dan Grabham of Techradar of Windows 10, Microsoft Edge was praised for its performance, albeit not being in a feature-complete state at launch.[66] Andrew Cunningham of Ars Technica praised the browser for being "tremendously promising", and "a much better browser than Internet Explorer ever was", but criticized it for its lack of functionality on-launch.[67] Thom Holwerda of OSNews criticized Edge in August 2015 for its hidden URL bar, lack of user friendliness, poor design and a tab system that is "so utterly broken it should never have shipped in a final release". He described the browser's implemented features, "Infuriating doesn't even begin to describe it" and "some sort of cosmic joke".[68]

Data from August 2015, a few weeks after release, showed that user uptake of Edge was low, with only 2% of overall computer users using the new browser. Among Windows 10 users usage peaked at 20% and then dropped to 14% through August 2015,[69] as users tried it and many stopped using it in favor of other browsers.[failed verification]

In October 2015, a security researcher published a report outlining a bug in Edge's "InPrivate" mode, causing data related to visited sites to still be cached in the user's profile directory, theoretically making it possible for others to determine sites visited. The bug gained mainstream attention in February 2016.[70]

References

  1. ^ "Announcing Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview Build 14267". Microsoft. November 19, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c Weber, Jason (January 21, 2015). "Spartan and the Windows 10 January Preview Build". IEBlog. Microsoft.
  3. ^ "Developer Resources : Microsoft Edge Dev". modern.ie. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  4. ^ a b c Warren, Tom (March 24, 2015). "Microsoft relegates Internet Explorer to a 'legacy engine' to make way for new browser". The Verge. Vox Media.
  5. ^ Sams, Brad (March 24, 2015). "Microsoft says IE 11 will remain unchanged from Windows 8.1, Spartan is the future". Neowin.
  6. ^ "Windows 10's New Browser Microsoft Edge: Improved, But Also New Risks". trendmicro.com. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  7. ^ a b Rossi, Jacob (November 11, 2014). "Living on the Edge – our next step in helping the web just work". IEBlog. Microsoft.
  8. ^ Warren, Tom (January 27, 2015). "Microsoft reveals its Internet Explorer successor will support extensions". The Verge. Vox Media.
  9. ^ a b c Ingraham, Nathan (January 21, 2015). "Microsoft officially announces Spartan, its new web browser for Windows 10". The Verge. Vox Media.
  10. ^ "What's powering Spartan? Internet Explorer, of course". Neowin.
  11. ^ Foley, Mary Jo (January 22, 2015). "Microsoft's Spartan browser: What's under the hood". ZDNet. CBS Interactive.
  12. ^ Hachamovitch, Dean (December 14, 2007), Internet Explorer 8 and Acid2: A Milestone, Microsoft
  13. ^ Rubino, Daniel (January 25, 2015). "Here's how to enable the Spartan Edge rendering engine for IE11 in Windows 10". Windows Central. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
  14. ^ "Building a more interoperable Web with Microsoft Edge".
  15. ^ Brett Howse. "AnandTech - Internet Explorer Project Spartan Shows Large Performance Gains". anandtech.com.
  16. ^ "Benchmark Deep-Dive: Microsoft Windows 10 Spartan Browser vs. IE11 vs. Google Chrome 41 vs. Mozilla Firefox". WinBuzzer. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  17. ^ Foley, Mary Jo (December 29, 2014). "Microsoft is building a new browser as part of its Windows 10 push". ZDNet. CBS Interactive.
  18. ^ Warren, Tom (January 8, 2015). "Windows 10s new browser will have the most advanced features ever". The Verge. Vox Media.
  19. ^ Warren, Tom (March 17, 2015). "Microsoft is killing off the Internet Explorer brand". The Verge. Vox Media.
  20. ^ "Project Spartan gets its first public outing in new Windows 10 build". Ars Technica. Condé Nast Digital. March 30, 2015. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  21. ^ Jacobsson Purewal, Sarah (February 19, 2015). "How to enable Spartan's Edge Rendering Engine in Windows 10". CNET. CBS Interactive.
  22. ^ "The successor to Internet Explorer will be named Microsoft Edge". The Verge. April 29, 2015. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  23. ^ Sams, Brad (April 29, 2015). "Microsoft reveals Edge's new logo". Neowin. Neowin, LLC. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
  24. ^ Aul, Gabe (March 30, 2015). "Windows 10 Technical Preview Build 10049 now available". Blogging Windows. Microsoft. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  25. ^ "New Windows 10 Technical Preview build now available for phones". Windows Experience Blog. April 10, 2015.
  26. ^ "Windows 10 Technical Preview Build 10052 now available for phones". Windows Experience Blog. April 21, 2015.
  27. ^ Aul, Gabe (April 22, 2015). "Windows 10 Technical Preview Build 10061 now available". Blogging Windows. Microsoft. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  28. ^ Aul, Gabe (April 29, 2015). "New Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 10074 now available". Blogging Windows. Microsoft. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  29. ^ "Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 10080 for phone now available". Windows Experience Blog. May 14, 2015.
  30. ^ Aul, Gabe (May 20, 2015). "Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 10122 for PCs". Blogging Windows. Microsoft. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  31. ^ Aul, Gabe (May 29, 2015). "Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 10130 for PCs". Blogging Windows. Microsoft. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  32. ^ "Announcing Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview Build 10136". Windows Experience Blog. June 16, 2015.
  33. ^ "Announcing Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview Build 10149". Windows Experience Blog. June 25, 2015.
  34. ^ "Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 10158 for PCs". windows.com. June 29, 2015.
  35. ^ "Whoa! Another PC build!". windows.com. June 30, 2015.
  36. ^ "Welcome to the faster Fast ring". windows.com. July 2, 2015.
  37. ^ "Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 10166". windows.com. July 9, 2015.
  38. ^ "Announcing Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview Build 10166". Windows Experience Blog. July 10, 2015.
  39. ^ "Windows Insider Preview Build 10166 [PC/Mobile]". Microsoft. Archived from the original on July 12, 2015. Retrieved July 11, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  40. ^ "Build 10240 now available for Windows Insiders in Fast and Slow rings". windows.com. July 15, 2015.
  41. ^ "Microsoft Edge takes a wider lead against Chrome in JavaScript benchmarks". windowscentral.com.
  42. ^ "Announcing Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview Build 10512". Windows Experience Blog. August 12, 2015.
  43. ^ "What's New in Windows Server 2016 Technical Preview 3". microsoft.com. Microsoft.
  44. ^ Aul, Gabe (August 18, 2015). "Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 10525". Blogging Windows. Microsoft. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  45. ^ "Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 10532 for PC". Blogging Windows. Microsoft. August 27, 2015. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  46. ^ "Announcing Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview Build 10536". Windows Experience Blog. September 14, 2015.
  47. ^ "Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 10547". Windows Experience Blog. September 18, 2015. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  48. ^ "ORTC API is now available in Microsoft Edge". Microsoft Edge Dev Blog. September 18, 2015.
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  50. ^ "Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 10565". Windows Experience Blog. October 12, 2015. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  51. ^ "Announcing Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview Build 10572". Windows Experience Blog. October 20, 2015.
  52. ^ "Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 10576". Windows Experience Blog. October 29, 2015.
  53. ^ "Announcing Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview Build 10581". Windows Experience Blog. October 29, 2015.
  54. ^ "Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 10586". Windows Experience Blog. November 5, 2015.
  55. ^ "Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 11082". Windows Experience Blog. December 16, 2015.
  56. ^ "Windows 10 Build 11099". Microsoft Edge changelog. January 13, 2016.
  57. ^ "Windows 10 Build 11102". Microsoft Edge changelog. January 21, 2016.
  58. ^ "Windows 10 Build 14251". Microsoft Edge changelog. January 27, 2016.
  59. ^ "Windows 10 Build 14257". Microsoft Edge changelog. February 3, 2016.
  60. ^ "Windows 10 Build 14267". Microsoft Edge changelog. February 18, 2016.
  61. ^ Howse, Brett (January 25, 2015). "Internet Explorer Project Spartan Shows Large Performance Gains". AnandTech. Purch.
  62. ^ "Windows 10 Browser Benchmarks: Spartan vs. IE, Chrome, Firefox, and Opera". April 1, 2015.
  63. ^ "Delivering fast JavaScript performance in Microsoft Edge". May 20, 2015.
  64. ^ Owen Williams (July 29, 2015). "Microsoft's Edge browser can win back bitter Web developers". The Next Web. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  65. ^ "Edge HTML5 improvements teased for upcoming Windows 10 LP Insider build". Neowin. Neowin. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  66. ^ "Windows 10 Review". TechRadar. Future plc. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  67. ^ "Review: Windows 10 is the best version yet—once the bugs get fixed". Ars Technica. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  68. ^ "OSNews.com". osnews.com. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  69. ^ "Microsoft Edge marketshare - Business Insider". Business Insider. September 2, 2015. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  70. ^ "Microsoft Edge InPrivate browsing mode is full of fail and not private". NetworkWorld. IDG. Retrieved February 3, 2016.

Further reading

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Microsoft_Edge&oldid=705908564"