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Microsoft's Edge browser stays secure by acting as a virtual PC
Microsoft has unveiled Windows Defender Application Guard for Microsoft Edge, a new system that will isolate the browser on Windows 10 Enterprise PCs, making them harder to hack. In a blog, the company wrote that it's "the first operating system to ship this type of technology alongside a browser." Using the Virtualization Based Security (VBS) recently introduced for Windows 10, Edge runs inside a small, virtual "PC," keeping it separate from processes including storage, other apps and, most importantly, the Windows 10 kernel.
Windows 10's Anniversary Update makes a great OS better
"It's nice, for once, to be able to recommend a new version of Windows without any hesitation." That's how I summarized my review of Windows 10 last year, and for the most part, it's lived up to my expectations. Other than Microsoft's bafflingly forceful automatic upgrade policy (which has led to lawsuits and plenty of ticked-off users), the operating system's first year on the market has been relatively smooth.
LastPass is the first password manager extension on Edge
Microsoft is getting closer to releasing its big Windows 10 update this summer, but Windows Insider beta testers with the latest build have a new element to try out today. That's because LastPass has officially released its first browser extension for Edge (after it leaked out temporarily a week ago), saying it's the first password manager extension on the platform. Support for extensions is necessary if Edge will try to snag users from the Chrome or Firefox browsers they're used to, and after AdBlock, password management is a big one.
Cortana won't let you search with Google in Windows 10
In what may come as no surprise, Microsoft won't let you use Cortana to perform a Google search anymore. While the digital assistant was capable of using a third-party search engine on Windows 10, the company announced this week that the "result is a compromised experience that is less reliable and predictable." So, to ensure that everything works well, Microsoft will only allow Cortana to launch the new Edge browser and find answers via Bing.
Skype nixes plug-in requirement for web-based chats
Skype for Web offers a handy way to bring your chats and calls to your browser. However, to us it on the web, you had to install a plug-in or extension before you could make audio or video calls. As of today, those extras are no longer a requirement, making good on a promise the company made back in 2014. With the Microsoft Edge browser, Skype for Web won't make you install a plug-in to communicate via audio or video. And yes, group chats are included as well.
Microsoft's Edge browser gets a handful of new extensions
Microsoft has announced some important new extensions for its Edge browser at the annual Build developer conference. Major services like Pinterest, Amazon, Evernote, LastPass, Reddit, Adblock and Adblock Plus can now plug into Microsoft's newest browser. This comes a few weeks after an updated version of Edge rolled out that supported a paltry three extensions; those announced at Build bring the number up a little bit, but Edge still lags far behind Chrome, Firefox or even Safari in this department.
Microsoft is trying to make Chrome extensions work on Edge
Microsoft's very first batch of Edge browser extensions is small, but it seems the company's taking steps to make sure Windows users get more in the future. According to Microsoft Senior Program Manager Jacob Rossi, the tech titan is developing a "porting tool to run Chrome extensions in Edge." It will presumably make things even easier for developers to create Edge versions of their extensions, though Rossi clarified that it doesn't support all APIs. The tool isn't finished yet, as well, but it's not like most users can start installing plug-ins on their browsers anyway. Redmond has just begun testing the feature, and for now, only Windows Insiders in the Fast ring can enjoy it.
Latest Windows 10 preview brings Edge browser extensions
Microsoft has finally started testing the feature that could make its new Edge browser a real alternative to the likes of Chrome and Firefox: extensions. An updated browser with support for extensions is part of the new build rolling out to Preview users in the Fast ring. There are updates for both PCs and Mobile, although extensions are a desktop-only feature and there are only three of them available right now: Translate, Mouse Gestures and the Reddit Enhancement Suite. Versions of popular extensions from the likes of AdBlock Plus, LastPass, Amazon and more are promised to arrive later this year. The video below explains how the installation process works, so you can watch that while your computer updates.
Latest Windows 10 update comes with a change log
Microsoft is currently rolling out the latest Windows 10 update, and it now has an update history that makes it easier to keep track of the platform's changes. This build comes with key improvements that will fix a lot of issues, including the Edge browser's. Researchers discovered in January that the websites you visit during private browsing are as easily recovered as the URLs you visit on a normal tab. InPrivate browsing should prevent that from happening as it promises not to save any data, that's why the update has removed its ability to cache visited URLs.
Windows 10 focuses on Cortana and Edge in first big update
Microsoft is rollingout the first major update to Windows 10 for tablets and PCs. The release focuses on improvements to Cortana, Edge and performance. The personal assistant will now track your event and movie tickets, and even monitor travel time and give you a heads up when you should leave. The update also allows you to book an Uber, in case you need a ride to the theater. And for our international friends, Cortana is finally landing in Japan, Australia, Canada and India.
Microsoft wants you to stick with Windows 10's default apps
If you don't like how difficult it is to change your default web browser in Windows 10... well, you may be particularly upset in the near future. A leaked Windows 10 preview release now gives you a prompt whenever you're trying to switch away from a default Microsoft app, such as the Edge browser. You're asked to give the stock app "a shot," and the most prominent option is to stick with the Microsoft option -- not exactly subtle. It's not certain that this will reach the public Insider Preview program, but it's evident that the company is at least toying with the idea.
Skype for web will soon work without plug-ins on Microsoft Edge
Skype has been planning to make its voice and video call services available on the web without having to install plug-ins since 2014. Now, its parent company's preparing to make that happen for its new Edge browser. The latest Windows 10 Insider Preview build comes with Object RTC API. That's the element that allows real-time audio and video communication without the need for any installation not just for Skype for Web and Outlook.com, but also for other WebRTC-compatible services. This is just a preview of ORTC on Edge, though, and you can't enjoy this seamless experience right now. However, the service says the technology will exit the preview phase and go live sometime later this year. To note, Chrome, Firefox and Safari all support WebRTC standards, but it's unclear if and when Skype will enable a plug-in-less experience for those browsers, as well.
A closer look at the Edge browser in Windows 10
In 18 days, Internet Explorer will turn 20 years old. But rather than celebrating with a new version, as it did for birthday number 15, Microsoft will be shoving IE away into an obscure folder with other legacy applications -- you know, like Paint. Though the browser will live on, mostly for the sake of enterprise users, it will only receive security patches going forward (read: no new features or design changes). Just as important, it will no longer be the default browser in Windows. That honor now goes to Edge, a cleaner, leaner browser that makes its debut on Win 10. Microsoft hopes that with the name change, fresh design, smarter features and improved performance, Edge will be enough to convince people to set aside whatever negative impressions they may have had of Internet Explorer.
Windows 10 preview build comes with Microsoft Edge and WiFi
Microsoft's giving you the chance to try out its Edge browser before Windows 10 drops on July 29th, along with other new features that will come with the platform. You'll have to download Windows 10's latest preview build for PCs to take it for a spin, but make sure to back up your favorites first, because you're going to say bye-bye to Project Spartan for good. The company has incorporated several user suggestions to the browser, including a home button, a more customizable New Tab page, password autofill, as well as the ability to import favorites/bookmarks from other browsers and to play music from a minimized tab.
Windows 10's web browser is called Microsoft Edge
After months of waiting, Microsoft finally has a proper name for Windows 10's brand-new web browser: Forget Project Spartan, and meet Microsoft Edge. It still has the same flat, minimalist look you saw at the start of the year, as well as clever features like Cortana voice commands and annotation for websites. You'll also get a new tab page that shows both other websites as well as handy info like weather, and Microsoft is now making it easier for developers to port extensions from other browsers (such as Chrome). Yes, the folks in Redmond are largely using the Edge name to distance their latest browser from Internet Explorer's less-than-stellar reputation, but you have to admit that the new branding is decidedly catchier.
