Microsoft Edge

Version80(as of 4/9/2020)
PlatformsWindows, Mac, iOS, Android
LicenseBundled
CategoryInternet
Go to Website
Rating:4.2  |  165 Votes

Main Features

  • Excellent browsing performance
  • Customizable extensions through the Microsoft Store
  • Sync browsing data across all your signed-in devices through Edge
  • Security features like InPrivate browsing and harmful site detection
  • Inspirational, Informational, and Focused new tab page layout options

Software Overview

Screenshot of Microsoft Edge 80
Screenshot of Microsoft Edge 80

Microsoft Edge is a web browser for Windows 10, 8, and 7, as well as macOS, iOS, and Android devices. It provides familiar browsing features available in Internet Explorer (which it replaced), Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, and introduces some new capabilities as well.

Edge is built from Chromium, which is an open source browser project from which Chrome is also built. It provides 3 new tab page layout options (Inspirational, Informational, and Focused) along with the option to customize the layout. Each page layout includes a search bar powered by Bing and a customizable news and information feed. Edge offers many of the same browsing capabilities as Chrome such as a favorites bar, web history, downloads list, private browsing, developer tools, and extensions that can be added through the Microsoft Store.

The browser boasts various privacy features, which include InPrivate browsing, data tracker blocking, and detection of malware or phishing sites. Edge also allows you to sync your browser data, like your saved passwords, favorites, and settings across all of your signed-in devices through your Microsoft Store account.

All of the new features and improved performance make Edge an attractive choice for browsing the web. It provides a very similar feel and many of the same capabilities as Chrome, even supporting many Chrome extensions. However, since it offers such a similar experience for Chrome users, it doesn't provide much incentive for Chrome users to switch over. Regardless, moving closer to the same performance and experience as the leading web browser is a good thing, and the Chromium-based Microsoft Edge is heading in the right direction.

Primary File Type

html icon.HTMLHypertext Markup Language File

Supported File Types

ExtensionFile Type
.HTMLHypertext Markup Language File
.CERInternet Security Certificate
.CHMCompiled HTML Help File
.CRTSecurity Certificate
.CRXChromium Extension
.DERDER Digital Certificate
.EPUBOpen eBook
.HTMHypertext Markup Language File
.HTMLHypertext Markup Language File
.INSInternet Settings File
.JPGJPEG Image
.JSPJakarta Server Page
.MHTMLMIME HTML File
.PACProxy Auto-Config File
.PJPGProgressive JPEG Image
.SHTMHTML Server Side Include File
.URLURL Shortcut File
.WEBMWebM Video
.WEBPWebP Image
.WMLWireless Markup Language File
.WOFFWeb Open Font Format File
.XBAPXAML Browser Application File
.XHTMLExtensible Hypertext Markup Language File

Additional Related File Types

ExtensionFile Type
.DBMColdFusion Server File
.EMLE-Mail Message
.HTAHTML Application
.JPEGJPEG Image
.MHTMHTML Web Archive
.PJPEGProgressive JPEG Image
.RTCLive Meeting Connection File
.SDINSTALLSpeckie Dictionary Installation File
.TMPTemporary File
.XHTMExtensible Hypertext Markup Language Document
Updated 4/9/2020