With a 66.88% market share, Google Chrome still rules the roost in ‘Browser World,’ but Microsoft’s Edge is making rapid advances. The newly updated browser rose from 5.25% in October 3034 to 13.2% by December 24, still far behind.
Why this sudden growth spurt?
There are a lot of things to like about Microsoft Edge these days. Primarily due to Microsoft’s commitment to innovation, Edge continues to redefine the user’s browser experiences. A host of features designed to enhance productivity, security, and browsing satisfaction, have appeared with recent updates.
Microsoft is determined to make up ground, even though Chrome has been #1 for years. Edge has been steadily gaining popularity and is now the third most popular browser worldwide. Overtaking Firefox a while back and then Safari, it’s now just behind Chrome as #2.
It is becoming more than just a browser - with personalized workspaces to a built-in VPN, it's a comprehensive toolkit for users navigating the digital landscape. Let's delve into the new Microsoft Edge features. They promise to elevate your online journey.
A New Era of Productivity with Microsoft Edge Workspaces
Workspaces is one of the most important features of Edge, representing a paradigm shift in how users organize and manage their online tasks. Suppose you’re shopping for a large new appliance like a stove. Instead of creating a folder with all sites and models you’re looking at, you can have a dedicated space that seamlessly integrates relevant tabs, documents, and websites.
Create custom workspaces becomes a reality with Workspaces. Each workspace represents different aspects of your digital life. Whether you're working on a project, planning a trip, or pursuing a hobby, Workspaces offers a tailored and organized browsing environment.
Key Features
- Personalize With Ease: You can customize projects in Workspaces with a unique name and color. This makes it easier to distinguish between different projects or activities.
- Improved, Simple Access: You can switch between Workspaces with a single click. This instantly transitions them between different sets of tabs and online resources. Users associate each Workspace with specific projects or interests.
- It’s Persistent: Whatever configurations you set up, Workspaces retains them - even when you close and reopen the browser. This ensures that you can seamlessly resume your work with no need to reconstruct your customized environments every time.
- More Efficient Task Management: By minimizing distractions, Workspaces makes task-focused browsing easier. This helps you maintain focus on the specific project or activity at hand.
Enhanced Cybersecurity with Edge Secure Network VPN:
Built-in VPN
Microsof6 has always represented the Gold Standard of prioritizing your privacy and cybersecurity, and Edge takes a giant leap forward. The Edge Secure Network uses a new built-in VPN (Virtual Private Network) which automatically encrypts internet connections. The VPN helps ensure a secure and private browsing experience. Microsoft Edge now provides you with 5GB of free VPN data per month, further protecting your online presence.
Main Benefits of the VPN in Edge
- Enhances Privacy: A VPN will mask your IP address, making it a challenge for malicious actors to track your online activities. This is particularly crucial when accessing public Wi-Fi networks – a primary Danger-Zone of nefarious criminal activity or safeguarding your sensitive information.
- Safer Browsing: With an encrypted connection, the Edge VPN ensures that data transmitted between the user's device and internet is secure. It reduces the risk of interception by hackers, and even if the transmission is intercepted, it is unreadable.
- Geographic Protection: Edge’s VPN masks your specific location but allows websites to see a location similar to yours. So, when you look up movie times, restaurants, or other nearby services, you see things that are useful. You cannot choose a specific region from which to route traffic.
- Free 5GB Data: You receive 5GB of free VPN data each month with Edge. To conserve the data limit, content streaming sites like Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, etc. – are not routed through the VPN.
Additional Features of the Updated Edge Browser:
Microsoft is constantly hard at work continuously updating and improving Edge. Here are a few more new features you can enjoy.
- Forms Autofill: Edge makes filling out forms online easier. It will suggest completions when you start typing into fields including name, email, address, etc.
- New Web Capture: Using Web Capture in Edge makes it easy to take a screenshot, which is quite often a tedious procedure. You can select an area or a full page and then simply paste it into any of your files.
- Copilot: Using the Copilot icon at the top of Edge accesses handy AI features including the ability to create AI-generated images, as well as writing quick email drafts and more.
- Read Aloud: Edge can read content for you aloud if you need to step away from the screen for a moment. Multi-task like there’s no tomorrow!
Want Help Exploring Your Microsoft Services?
Microsoft apps tend to be so feature-rich that many users are unfamiliar with the wealth of time saving options available. For ease of browsing Edge establishes itself as a comprehensive solution. It’s great for those seeking a more productivity-focused browser and a secure and private online environment. Edge's latest features enhance the way we work, explore, and connect.
If you would like help exploring what Microsoft has to offer, ITFIRM.COM has experts to guide you - from Edge enhancements to Microsoft 365 tools.
Don’t miss out on all that these solutions have to offer. Our Microsoft experts can help set up, manage, and secure your digital workflows.
Give us a call today!
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Frequently Asked Questions
How to get Edge Workspaces?
It’s easy to get:
1) Select the Workspaces menu at the top left corner of your Microsoft Edge browser window and select ‘Create New’ to get started with your first Edge Workspace.
2) Give it a name, choose a color, and select Done — your new workspace will open in a new browser window.
What is a VPN and why would I use it?
Connecting to the office local network from a remote location requires the use of the internet. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a subscription service that conceals your IP address (your identity) and encrypts the data sent back and forth as well as providing security and anonymity for any internet browsing. It basically routes your network activity through a remote VPN server through an IP Tunnel, a protected conduit that no unauthorized person can gain access to, even if you use public Wi-Fi – a prime source for hackers.
Can I access Gmail on Microsoft Edge?
Absolutely. Click the three dots or ellipsis ("...") icon near the upper right corner of Microsoft Edge, then click Settings. On the left, click Site Permissions, then click Handlers. Make sure that the feature that allows sites to ask to become default handlers for protocols is toggled on. Then you can open Gmail in Microsoft Edge.
What is the difference between Office 365 and Microsoft 365?
Office 365 is one of the apps included in Microsoft 365. While Office 365 primarily focuses on productivity applications (like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook), Microsoft 365 includes these applications along with additional features such as device management, security, and collaboration tools.
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