Microsoft Edgefor Windows

Microsoft Edge is a free web browser developed by Microsoft. It is built on Chromium, the open-source browser project that also powers Google Chrome, so sites that work in Chrome almost always render the same way in Edge. It ships preinstalled on Windows 10 and 11, and separate builds are available for macOS and Linux. Over time Microsoft has folded jobs that once needed separate tools—PDF reading, password management, AI summaries—into the browser itself.

Edge suits people who are happy with the browser Windows already includes, and those who use a Microsoft account, Microsoft 365 or Copilot every day. Because it accepts extensions from the Chrome Web Store, moving over from Chrome is straightforward. On the other hand, Bing, Copilot and MSN are woven into many parts of the interface, so users who want a minimal browser with fewer vendor services, or who still run Windows 7 or 8.1, are better served elsewhere.

Sleeping tabs

Tabs left unused for a while are put to sleep to free memory and CPU. Since version 152 the default timeout has been 15 minutes instead of two hours, and both the timer and a list of excluded sites can be changed at edge://settings/system/managePerformance.

Split screen

Two web pages can sit side by side inside a single tab. This makes it easy to read a source while writing, or to compare two product pages, without arranging separate windows.

PDF reader

PDF files open directly in the browser, where they can be read and annotated with highlights and notes. In version 156 Edge is moving to a new PDF viewer powered by Adobe Acrobat technology, and the policy that kept the old viewer has been deprecated.

Copilot integration

Microsoft's AI assistant, Copilot, is available from the sidebar and the new tab page to summarize the current page or answer questions about it. Related tools include comparing details across open tabs and Image Creator for generating images from text.

Security and passwords

Microsoft Defender SmartScreen blocks known phishing sites and malicious downloads, and a scareware blocker stops fake support warnings. The built-in password manager suggests strong passwords and flags weak or reused ones.

Features

Tab management, PDF annotation, password tools and AI summaries make Edge one of the most feature-rich mainstream browsers. Its Chromium base gives it broad web compatibility and access to Chrome extensions.

Ease of Use

It is already installed on Windows and offers a fully localized interface, so most people can use it immediately. The settings pages are extensive, however, and menus and features shift between versions, which can make specific options hard to find.

Stability & Safety

Microsoft distributes Edge directly and pushes security fixes through automatic updates; version 156 received three updates within eight days of its October 22, 2026 release. Edge is closely tied to Microsoft accounts, Bing and Copilot, so privacy settings are worth reviewing after installation.

• Google Chrome — Uses the same Chromium engine but centers syncing and services on a Google account instead of Microsoft's.
• Vivaldi — Another Chromium browser, with tab stacking, built-in mail and calendar, and far more interface customization.
• Mozilla Firefox — An open-source browser from a nonprofit foundation that uses its own Gecko engine rather than Chromium.

Is Microsoft Edge free?

Yes. Edge is free, comes preinstalled on Windows 10 and 11, and can be downloaded at no cost for macOS and Linux.

Can Microsoft Edge use Chrome extensions?

Yes. Besides the Edge Add-ons store, Edge can install extensions from the Chrome Web Store once you allow extensions from other stores.

Does the latest Microsoft Edge run on Windows 7?

No. Version 109, released in early 2023, was the last to support Windows 7 and 8.1; current versions require Windows 10 or 11.

What is the difference between Microsoft Edge and Chrome?

Both use the Chromium engine, so web pages render almost identically. The difference lies in the connected services: Edge is built around a Microsoft account, Bing and Copilot, while Chrome is built around Google's account and services.

How can I reduce Microsoft Edge memory usage?

Shorten the sleeping tabs timeout. Lowering it at edge://settings/system/managePerformance makes idle tabs release their memory sooner.

Microsoft Edge is a solid choice for Windows users who want to stick with the built-in browser, especially those already invested in Microsoft 365 and Copilot. Strong compatibility, fast security updates and a rich built-in feature set earn it our editor rating of 4 out of 5, held back by persistent promotion of Microsoft services and frequently shifting settings.

Editor rating 4/5