Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Computing
  3. News

Microsoft’s new Chromium Edge launched today. Here’s how to download it

By
Image used with permission by copyright holder

As of today, you can officially download the new version of Edge from the website for Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, or Mac.

What’s new about this version of Edge? Well, pretty much everything. The entire browser has been moved over to Google’s open-source Chromium platform, abandoning the EdgeHTML engine that never really caught on. When you use it, it feels a lot like an alternative version of Google Chrome. It even has a new, colorful logo to match.

Recommended Videos

Thus far, access to the new Microsoft Edge has only been available in beta through the Insider program. This has let developers and enthusiasts get a sneak peek of what Microsoft is working on — and will continue to do so into the future. If you’re familiar with the latest beta version of Edge, you won’t find any surprises here.

Instead, Microsoft is focused on pulling off a smooth launch, so the browser will only be available for download through the website rather than through the Microsoft Store.

To install it, just head over to the site and install the file provided there. If you’re on Windows 7, Windows 8, or Mac, Edge will install as a new browser, just as any other application you get off the web.

For those with Windows 10 (which already pre-installs Edge), the new Edge will install as an update to the old Edge.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you’re coming over from Internet Explorer or the older version of Edge, the browser will automatically pull in things like favorites and saved form fills. Meanwhile, if you’re coming from a different browser, Edge prompts you to pull those settings in once installed.

You can also choose to wait for an automatic update to come through, though Microsoft says it will not start rolling out for two or three weeks. Even then, it will be a slow and careful rollout, starting with Insiders in the Release Preview Ring. The company seems set on proceeding with caution, rather than rushing through the update.

Microsoft says its goal at launch isn’t a certain number of downloads or installations. Instead, it wants a smooth launch and to hit a level of satisfaction among the people that use it. Microsoft wants to nail the fundamentals to win early users over, focusing on things like security, performance, and privacy.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Luke Larsen
Luke Larsen
Senior Editor, Computing
Luke Larsen is the Senior editor of computing, managing all content covering laptops, monitors, PC hardware, Macs, and more.
How Intel and Microsoft are teaming up to take on Apple
An Intel Meteor Lake system-on-a-chip.

It seems like Apple might need to watch out, because Intel and Microsoft are coming for it after the latter two companies reportedly forged a close partnership during the development of Intel Lunar Lake chips. Lunar Lake refers to Intel's upcoming generation of mobile processors that are aimed specifically at the thin and light segment. While the specs are said to be fairly modest, some signs hint that Lunar Lake may have enough of an advantage to pose a threat to some of the best processors.

Today's round of Intel Lunar Lake leaks comes from Igor's Lab. The system-on-a-chip (SoC), pictured above, is Intel's low-power solution made for thin laptops that's said to be coming out later this year. Curiously, the chips weren't manufactured on Intel's own process, but on TSMC's N3B node. This is an interesting development because Intel typically sticks to its own fabs, and it even plans to sell its manufacturing services to rivals like AMD. This time, however, Intel opted for the N3B node for its compute tile.

Read more
Copilot: how to use Microsoft’s own version of ChatGPT
Microsoft's AI Copilot being used in various Microsoft Office apps.

ChatGPT isn’t the only AI chatbot in town. One direct competitor is Microsoft’s Copilot (formerly Bing Chat), and if you’ve never used it before, you should definitely give it a try. As part of a greater suite of Microsoft tools, Copilot can be integrated into your smartphone, tablet, and desktop experience, thanks to a Copilot sidebar in Microsoft Edge. 

Like any good AI chatbot, Copilot’s abilities are constantly evolving, so you can always expect something new from this generative learning professional. Today though, we’re giving a crash course on where to find Copilot, how to download it, and how you can use the amazing bot. 
How to get Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft Copilot comes to Bing and Edge. Microsoft

Read more
Apple’s Vision Pro to get bespoke Microsoft 365 apps at launch
Microsoft Teams being used on the Apple Vision Pro.

Apple’s Vision Pro is just a couple of days from landing on people’s heads, with many speculating how much of a success -- or not -- the tech giant can make of its most important product launch in years.

A key factor is expected to be the level of interest developers show in creating custom-made apps for the mixed-reality headset, with some major platforms such as Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube deciding to hold back from offering bespoke apps.

Read more