14 DAY TRIAL // The new Chromium-based Microsoft Edge browser is now available for download after approximately one year of beta testing.
The new browser, which runs on the same engine as Google Chrome, will become the new default in Windows 10, replacing the existing Edge version. On Windows 10 Home and Pro, the browser will be shipped via Windows Update, but manual download links are also available.
Devices where users want to block the installation of Edge from Windows Update can turn to the so-called Blocker Toolkit. Note that this version only blocks the installation from Windows Update, so manual deployment of the new browser is still possible.
The migration to Chromium allows Microsoft Edge to expand beyond the world of Windows 10, so in addition to Microsoft’s latest and greatest operating system, the browser also goes live on Windows 7, 8.1, and macOS. A Linux version is also planned, but no further specifics are available at this point.
Familiar look and feel
Microsoft Edge lands on Windows with a look and feel that reminds of the original version, and this has actually been one of the priorities from the very beginning for Microsoft. The software giant said it wanted to make Windows 10 users to feel like home, despite the debut of a new browser, so some features are migrated from the original Edge version to this Chromium sibling too.
Google Chrome extension support is a key feature of the browser, as this way Microsoft reduces the feature gap between its browser and Google’s. Furthermore, Microsoft offers Edge with its own extension store where users can find trusted add-ons.
Just like before, Microsoft will continue to update all Edge development channels. The Canary build will receive updates every day, while the Dev version will be updated weekly. The Beta builds gets a new release every six weeks.
You can download the Chromium Microsoft Edge using this link for Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and macOS.