November 24, 2025

Microsoft Edge

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Microsoft Edge is Microsoft’s modern, secure, and performance‑driven Edge browser, built on the Blink WebKit engine. It replaces Internet Explorer and Edge Legacy, delivering advanced features, enterprise‑grade security, and seamless integration across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. With support for Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat, enhanced AI tools, a built‑in Password Manager, and strong privacy controls, it’s the ideal browser for Australian businesses.
Objective: This guide gives business owners a deeper understanding of Microsoft Edge’s capabilities, feature availability, security protections, productivity enhancements, and how Enabla Technology can support deployment, optimisation, and ongoing management.

History and Development of Microsoft Edge

Origins of Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge was developed to replace Internet Explorer and its older MSHTML browser engine, along with outdated BHO technologies like Microsoft Silverlight. First released as Edge Legacy, the browser later transitioned to a Chromium‑based architecture to support modern standards, improve performance, allow compatibility with Chrome extensions, and support enterprise environments.

The shift to the Chromium engine enabled features such as site isolation, hardware acceleration, improved media content handling, DRM content support for video streaming services, and updated APIs like WebHID API and WebUSB API.

Key Milestones in the Evolution of Edge

  • 2015: Launch of Edge Legacy in Windows 10.
  • 2020: Transition to Chromium-based Edge, with improved compatibility, performance, and Internet Explorer mode (IE Mode) for legacy systems.
  • 2021–2025: Introduction of AI enhancements including Bing Chat, Microsoft Copilot, and Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat, plus new security improvements such as Microsoft Defender SmartScreen, Application Guard, Web Content Filtering, TLS server certificates enforcement, and Microsoft Cloud Access Security integrations.

Edge continues to evolve through insider channels, each identified by a build number. Updates on Windows, macOS, and iOS are delivered via Microsoft AutoUpdate or Windows Update.

Features of Microsoft Edge

Overview of Core Features

  • Vertical Tabs: Improved organisation and visibility for users managing multiple web page sessions.
  • InPrivate Mode: Prevents storing browsing history, form fill data, cookies, downloaded files, and site preferences for privacy reasons.
  • Password Manager: Securely stores login credentials, integrates with Microsoft Entra ID for single sign-on, and syncs across device types and browser versions.
  • Microsoft Copilot & Bing Chat: AI-powered research, writing assistance, summaries, rich knowledge surfacing, and workplace productivity enhancements.
  • Task Manager for Edge: Monitors each Edge process, resource consumption, and performance per tab.
  • PDF Reader: Built-in, supports annotations, highlighting, and printing.
  • Live Captions: Real‑time audio captioning for accessibility.
  • Microsoft Edge Game Assist & Surf Browser Game: Enhances gaming performance and offers fun offline entertainment.

Additional Tools, Privacy, and Enterprise Integration

  • Microsoft Defender SmartScreen: Alerts for virus alerts, security alerts, phishing, malicious downloads, and suspicious behaviours.
  • Application Guard: Isolates untrusted sites.
  • Allow Cookies / Block Third‑Party Cookies: Advanced privacy controls via the privacy dashboard.
  • Proxy Server Settings: Full compatibility with enterprise network configurations.
  • Intranet Redirection Behavior: Ensures corporate intranet sites load correctly.
  • Enterprise Mode Site List & IE Mode: Runs older corporate apps that still require Internet Explorer mode.
  • WebRTC IP Handling Policy: Controls IP leakage in video calls.
  • Media Licenses: Supports protected playback for DRM services.
  • Keyboard Focusable Scrollers: Improves accessibility and usability.
  • Program Folders & System Integration: Installs cleanly into Windows program folders and integrates with Windows security tools.

Benefits and Use Cases

Benefits for Users

  • Stronger security: Tools like SmartScreen, site isolation, TLS server certificates, and Microsoft Cloud Access Security protect Australian businesses from malware and threats.
  • Higher productivity: With features like Vertical tabs, immersive reader, Microsoft Copilot, workspace collaboration, and advanced search tools.
  • Better privacy: Controls such as Block third‑party cookies, InPrivate mode, privacy dashboard, and tracking user behavior prevention.

Practical Business Use Cases

  • Legacy system compatibility: Using IE Mode and Enterprise Mode Site List to run older line-of-business apps.
  • Microsoft 365 integration: SSO with Microsoft Entra ID, enhanced document viewing, and seamless SharePoint/Teams use.
  • Training & adoption: Built‑in access to training courses, tutorials, and Help and feedback resources.
  • Employee incentive programs: Earn Microsoft Rewards, exchangeable for gift cards and subscription benefits.

Setting Up and Using Microsoft Edge

Getting Started

  1. Download Edge for Windows, macOS, iOS, or Android.
  2. Sign in using your Microsoft account or Microsoft Entra ID for enterprise sync.
  3. Configure DPI scale, display preferences, Search Engines, and notification settings.

Essential Setups and Tools

  • Password Manager Setup: Save credentials, sync across devices, and manage autofill.
  • Privacy Controls: Manage cookies, disable tracking, configure WebRTC IP handling, and set a Proxy server.
  • Hardware Acceleration: Enable for improved video and graphics performance.
  • Live Captions: Enable automatic captions for meetings and training.
  • Workspaces & Profiles: Create separate user profiles for staff, teams, and departments.

Technical Administration

  • Windows Server integration: Policy deployment, configuration, security baselines.
  • Microsoft Security Compliance Toolkit: Enforce recommended compliance settings.
  • Application Guard & Web Content Filtering: Restrict untrusted sites for staff security.
  • System Scan & Troubleshooting: Built‑in tools diagnose performance and error codes.

FAQs and Troubleshooting

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Microsoft Edge compatible with Internet Explorer websites?
Yes. Use Internet Explorer mode (IE Mode) with the Enterprise Mode Site List.

How do I manage cookies?
Visit Settings > Privacy, choose Allow cookies or Block third‑party cookies.

Why am I getting virus or security alerts?
Alerts come from Microsoft Defender SmartScreen, designed to block threats.

Does Edge track user behavior?
Edge does not track personal data for advertising when privacy settings are enabled.

How do I uninstall Microsoft Edge?
On some systems, Edge is part of Windows and cannot be removed, but it can be reset, repaired, or disabled.

Troubleshooting Tips

  • Performance Issues: Check Task Manager for heavy tabs or extensions.
  • IE Mode Not Working: Verify build number, Enterprise Mode Site List, or group policies.
  • Sync Problems: Confirm Microsoft Entra ID permissions.
  • Media Content Errors: Check DRM settings, hardware acceleration, and video codecs.

Conclusion

Microsoft Edge is an enterprise‑ready browser designed for speed, security, and seamless workplace integration. With advanced features like Microsoft Copilot, Vertical tabs, IE Mode, SmartScreen, enterprise network support, and powerful privacy tools, it is the ideal browser for Australian businesses seeking efficiency, compliance, and security.

Call to Action: Contact Enabla Technology for deployment, configuration, Microsoft 365 integration, or full IT management services. We’ll optimise Microsoft Edge across your business for performance, security, and productivity.

Recommended Graphics & Tables

  • Comparison chart: Edge vs Chrome vs Firefox (security, features, enterprise support).
  • Infographic: How IE Mode works for legacy systems.
  • Diagram: Enterprise security stack (SmartScreen, site isolation, Application Guard).
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