Microsoft Edge has quietly become one of the best browsers you can install in 2026. It is fast, packed with useful features, and far less hungry for system resources than it used to be. If you have not looked at Edge since the old days, this complete guide will bring you up to speed.
What Is Microsoft Edge?
Microsoft Edge is a free web browser built on Chromium, the same open-source engine that powers Google Chrome. This means almost every Chrome extension works in Edge, and websites render exactly as they should. Edge comes preinstalled on Windows 10 and 11, and it is also available for macOS, Android and iOS.
Key Features Worth Knowing
Edge stands out because of the extras Microsoft bundles in:
- Copilot sidebar: An AI assistant built into the browser. You can ask it to summarise long articles, draft emails or explain complex topics without leaving the page.
- Collections: Save web pages, images and notes into organised collections for research, shopping or trip planning, then export them to Word or Excel.
- Vertical tabs: Move your tabs to a side panel. It is a lifesaver when you regularly keep dozens of tabs open.
- Immersive Reader: Strip away ads and clutter from articles for clean, distraction-free reading, with read-aloud support.
- Built-in tools: Web capture for screenshots, a price comparison tool while shopping, and a basic free VPN for safer browsing on public Wi-Fi.
- Efficiency mode: Reduces background tab activity to extend laptop battery life noticeably.
Privacy and Security
Edge includes three levels of tracking prevention: Basic, Balanced and Strict. Balanced is the default and blocks most third-party trackers without breaking websites. Microsoft Defender SmartScreen warns you about phishing sites and malicious downloads, and InPrivate mode gives you a private browsing window that deletes history when closed. For stronger privacy, combine Strict tracking prevention with the built-in VPN on untrusted networks.
Edge vs Chrome: Which Is Better?
Both browsers share the Chromium engine, so compatibility is identical. The differences come down to resources and extras. Edge generally uses less RAM thanks to sleeping tabs, which put inactive tabs to sleep automatically. Battery tests on Windows laptops consistently favour Edge. Chrome still leads on ecosystem if you live inside Google services, but Edge’s built-in features mean you need fewer extensions. For Windows users especially, Edge is the more efficient choice. If you want to speed up your browser workflow, many of the same shortcut habits apply in Edge too.
Performance Tips
Turn on Efficiency mode under Settings, then System and performance. Enable sleeping tabs and set them to sleep after five minutes of inactivity. Use Startup boost so the browser opens instantly. Review edge://extensions and remove anything you do not use, since extensions are the biggest cause of slowdowns in any browser. Finally, keep Edge updated. Updates install automatically, but a quick check under Settings, then About Microsoft Edge, never hurts.
Who Should Switch to Edge?
Windows users get the smoothest experience, with features like efficiency mode tuned for the operating system. Students and researchers will love Collections and Immersive Reader. Shoppers benefit from built-in price tracking. And anyone frustrated by Chrome’s memory usage should give Edge a week. Your bookmarks, passwords and extensions import in minutes, so trying it costs almost nothing.
Edge is one example of how the browser wars keep pushing the web forward. You can read more about these broader technology trends shaping 2026 on our site.
FAQs
Is Microsoft Edge free?
Yes. Edge is completely free on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, with no premium tier.
Is Edge better than Chrome?
For most Windows users, yes. It uses less memory, lasts longer on battery and includes features Chrome lacks, while supporting the same extensions.
Does Edge work with Chrome extensions?
Yes. Because Edge is Chromium-based, nearly all extensions from the Chrome Web Store install and run normally.
Is Microsoft Edge safe?
Yes. It includes tracking prevention, SmartScreen phishing protection and regular security updates from Microsoft.
Can I import my data from Chrome?
Yes. During setup, Edge offers to import bookmarks, passwords, history and even open tabs from Chrome or other browsers.
