#Microsoft Edge’s 30 Must-Know Features for a Smarter Browsing Experience#

Are you still using Microsoft Edge just to download another browser? Think again! Microsoft Edge has evolved into a powerful, feature-rich browser that combines speed, security, and a surprising array of productivity tools. It’s built on the Chromium engine, meaning you get excellent compatibility with websites and access to a vast library of extensions from the Chrome Web Store.

But what truly sets it apart are its unique, integrated features designed to make your online life easier, safer, and more productive. Let’s dive into 30 useful features that you might be missing out on!

🚀 Performance & Efficiency

Edge is engineered to be fast and light on resources.

1. Efficiency Mode: 🔋

   • What it is: Helps extend your battery life by reducing CPU, GPU, and network usage when your device is low on power.
   • Why it’s useful: Perfect for laptop users on the go, ensuring your device lasts longer without needing to find an outlet.
   • How to use: Go to Settings > System and performance > toggle “Efficiency mode.”

2. Startup Boost: 🚀

   • What it is: Keeps a minimal set of Edge processes running in the background, allowing the browser to launch significantly faster when you click its icon.
   • Why it’s useful: Eliminates frustrating delays when you need to quickly open your browser.
   • How to use: Settings > System and performance > toggle “Startup boost.”

3. Sleeping Tabs: 😴

   • What it is: Automatically puts inactive tabs into a “sleep” state, freeing up system resources (memory and CPU) without closing the tab.
   • Why it’s useful: Keeps your browser running smoothly even if you have dozens of tabs open, preventing slowdowns and saving RAM.
   • How to use: Settings > System and performance > toggle “Save resources with sleeping tabs.”

4. Resource Usage Indicator: 📊

   • What it is: A task manager built into Edge that shows how much memory and CPU each tab and extension is using.
   • Why it’s useful: Helps you identify and close resource-heavy tabs or extensions that might be slowing down your browser.
   • How to use: Go to edge://flags and search for “Enable browser task manager.” Or just type shift+esc to open the built-in task manager.

🛡️ Privacy & Security

Browse with peace of mind knowing your data and identity are protected.

5. Tracking Prevention: 🛡️

   • What it is: Blocks trackers from websites you visit, preventing them from collecting your browsing data across the web.
   • Why it’s useful: Enhances your privacy and can make pages load faster by blocking unnecessary scripts.
   • How to use: Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Choose “Basic,” “Balanced,” or “Strict” tracking prevention.

6. Microsoft Defender SmartScreen: 🚫

   • What it is: Protects you from malicious websites and downloads by checking them against a constantly updated list of reported threats.
   • Why it’s useful: Acts as a crucial first line of defense against phishing, malware, and other online scams.
   • How to use: Enabled by default. Settings > Privacy, search, and services > “Microsoft Defender SmartScreen.”

7. Password Monitor: 🔑

   • What it is: Alerts you if any of your saved passwords have been compromised in a data breach.
   • Why it’s useful: Helps you quickly identify and change passwords that might be at risk, boosting your online security.
   • How to use: Settings > Profiles > Passwords > “Show alerts for compromised passwords.”

8. Secure Network (VPN): 🌐

   • What it is: A basic VPN service powered by Cloudflare, offering encrypted connections for enhanced privacy. (Note: It’s not a full-featured VPN for geo-unblocking but for securing your connection).
   • Why it’s useful: Protects your data on public Wi-Fi and helps prevent ISPs from tracking your browsing activity.
   • How to use: Settings > Privacy, search, and services > “Microsoft Edge Secure Network.”

9. InPrivate Browsing: 🕵️

   • What it is: A special browsing mode that doesn’t save your browsing history, cookies, or site data after you close the InPrivate window.
   • Why it’s useful: Ideal for sensitive searches, online banking, or using a shared computer without leaving a trace.
   • How to use: Click the three-dot menu (…) > “New InPrivate window” or Ctrl+Shift+N.

10. Kids Mode: 👶

    • What it is: A safe, child-friendly browsing environment with pre-selected age-appropriate content, custom themes, and strict tracking prevention.
    • Why it’s useful: Gives parents peace of mind while their children explore the internet.
    • How to use: Click your profile icon > “Browse in Kids Mode.”

📝 Productivity & Organization

Streamline your workflow and keep your digital life tidy.

11. Collections: 📚🛒

    • What it is: A visual way to gather, organize, and share content from the web (web pages, images, text snippets).
    • Why it’s useful: Perfect for research projects, shopping lists, travel planning, or gathering inspiration. You can export to Word or Excel!
    • How to use: Click the “Collections” icon on the sidebar or Ctrl+Shift+Y.

12. Vertical Tabs: ↕️

    • What it is: Displays your open tabs vertically on the side of the browser window instead of horizontally across the top.
    • Why it’s useful: Saves horizontal screen space, making tab titles more readable, especially if you have many tabs open.
    • How to use: Click the “Tabs actions” button (arrow pointing down) at the top-left of your tab bar, then “Turn on vertical tabs.”

13. Tab Groups: 🏷️

    • What it is: Allows you to group related tabs together and label them with a name and color.
    • Why it’s useful: Keeps your tab bar organized and makes it easier to navigate complex research or work sessions.
    • How to use: Right-click on a tab > “Add tab to new group.”

14. Immersive Reader: 📖

    • What it is: Strips away distractions (ads, sidebars) from web pages, presenting the main content in a clean, readable format.
    • Why it’s useful: Improves focus and readability, especially for articles, news, or lengthy blog posts.
    • How to use: Look for the book icon in the address bar on supported pages, or press F9.

15. Read Aloud: 🔊

    • What it is: Reads the content of a web page aloud to you, with customizable voice options.
    • Why it’s useful: Great for multitasking, accessibility, or if you prefer to listen rather than read. Works well with Immersive Reader.
    • How to use: In Immersive Reader, click the “Read aloud” button, or right-click on a page and select “Read aloud.”

16. Web Capture: 📸

    • What it is: A built-in screenshot tool that allows you to capture a specific area, the full page, or even scroll to capture a long page.
    • Why it’s useful: Easy way to save images of web content, annotate them, or copy them to your clipboard.
    • How to use: Click the three-dot menu (…) > “Web capture” or Ctrl+Shift+S.

17. Progressive Web Apps (PWAs): 📱

    • What it is: Allows you to install websites as “apps” directly from your browser, giving them a dedicated window, icon, and app-like experience.
    • Why it’s useful: Turn your favorite web services (like Outlook, Twitter, Spotify) into standalone apps that launch quickly and feel integrated.
    • How to use: When on a PWA-enabled site, click the three-dot menu (…) > Apps > “Install this site as an app.”

18. Workspaces (New!): 🏢

    • What it is: A new feature that lets you create dedicated “workspaces” for different projects or tasks, each with its own set of tabs and collections.
    • Why it’s useful: Great for professionals managing multiple projects, keeping work and personal browsing entirely separate, or collaborating with others.
    • How to use: Click the “Workspaces” icon on the left sidebar (looks like multiple squares).

19. Split Screen: ↔️

    • What it is: Divides your browser window into two independent panels, allowing you to view two different web pages side-by-side.
    • Why it’s useful: Excellent for comparing information, taking notes while browsing, or following along with a video tutorial.
    • How to use: Click the “Split Screen” icon in the address bar (two rectangles).

🤖 AI & Assistance

Leverage the power of AI directly in your browser.

20. Copilot Integration: 🤖

    • What it is: Microsoft’s AI assistant (formerly Bing Chat) is deeply integrated into Edge’s sidebar, offering chat, content generation, and web summaries.
    • Why it’s useful: Get instant answers, summarize long articles, generate creative content, or ask questions about the page you’re viewing.
    • How to use: Click the blue “Copilot” icon in the sidebar.

21. Smart Search Bar: 🧠

    • What it is: The address bar not only searches but can provide instant answers for math problems, unit conversions, weather, and more directly in the dropdown.
    • Why it’s useful: Get quick facts without even visiting a search results page.
    • How to use: Type a query like “2+2,” “50 miles to km,” or “weather Seattle” into the address bar.

22. Image Creator (DALL-E 3 powered): 🎨

    • What it is: Generate images from text descriptions using advanced AI, right within the Edge sidebar.
    • Why it’s useful: Create unique visuals for presentations, social media, or just for fun, without leaving your browser.
    • How to use: In the Copilot sidebar, switch to the “Compose” tab, or search “Image Creator” in Bing.

🔧 Utilities & Convenience

Handy tools that make everyday browsing smoother.

23. Built-in Translator: 🗣️

    • What it is: Automatically detects and offers to translate foreign language web pages into your preferred language.
    • Why it’s useful: Seamlessly browse websites from around the world without needing a separate translation extension.
    • How to use: When on a foreign language page, a translation pop-up will appear in the address bar.

24. Price Comparison & Coupons: 🛍️💰

    • What it is: Automatically finds and applies coupons and compares prices across different retailers when you’re shopping online.
    • Why it’s useful: Helps you save money and ensures you get the best deal without manually searching for discounts.
    • How to use: Browse a product page, and a shopping icon might appear in the address bar.

25. Web Select: ✂️

    • What it is: Allows you to select and copy content (text, images, tables) from a web page while preserving its formatting, even if it’s tricky to select normally.
    • Why it’s useful: Great for copying data from complex layouts like tables or non-selectable text.
    • How to use: Right-click on a page and select “Web select.”

26. Math Solver: ➕➖✖️➗

    • What it is: Built-in tool that can solve math problems by detecting them on a web page or allowing you to type them in. It provides step-by-step solutions.
    • Why it’s useful: Handy for students or anyone needing quick help with calculations and explanations.
    • How to use: Click the three-dot menu (…) > “More tools” > “Math Solver.”

27. Guest Profile: 👻

    • What it is: A temporary browsing profile that doesn’t save any browsing history, cookies, or downloads upon closing.
    • Why it’s useful: Similar to InPrivate, but specifically for when someone else needs to use your browser without accessing your profiles or saving their data.
    • How to use: Click your profile icon > “Browse as guest.”

28. Picture in Picture (PiP): 📺

    • What it is: Allows you to pop out a video from its web page into a floating, resizable window that stays on top of other applications.
    • Why it’s useful: Watch videos while you work, browse other tabs, or use different applications.
    • How to use: Hover over a video player; a small PiP icon will usually appear.

✨ Customization & Personalization

Make Edge truly your own.

29. New Tab Page Customization: ✨

    • What it is: Lets you customize the layout, content (news, weather, shortcuts), and background image of your New Tab page.
    • Why it’s useful: Create a personalized dashboard that greets you every time you open a new tab, tailored to your interests and workflow.
    • How to use: Click the gear icon on the New Tab page.

30. Themes & Appearance: 🎨

    • What it is: Change the visual look of your browser with different themes, colors, and dark/light modes.
    • Why it’s useful: Personalize your browsing experience and make it more visually appealing.
    • How to use: Settings > Appearance.

Conclusion

Microsoft Edge has truly transformed from its humble beginnings into a competitive, innovative browser. With its focus on performance, robust security, and a suite of unique productivity and AI-powered features, it offers a compelling alternative to other browsers.

Many of these features are exclusive to Edge or are more deeply integrated than what you’d find via extensions in other browsers. If you haven’t given Edge a proper try recently, now might be the perfect time to explore these capabilities and discover a smarter, more efficient way to browse the web.

Which of these features are you most excited to try? Let us know in the comments! G