Chromium-Based Microsoft Edge Browser

Microsoft Edge Chromium browser is the latest addition to Microsoft's Edge series. Released on January 15th, 2020, this new version of the browser features chromium-based source code with an increased focus on security and privacy. Unlike the previous versions based on EdgeHTML, the latest Edge browser has been moved to the chromium engine.

For those unfamiliar with Chromium, it is an open-source software project by Google whose source code can be integrated into a web browser. Google Chrome and Opera are good examples of browsers using chromium core. Since Chromium has an open-source format, it offers much flexibility regarding development, compatibility, and modifying the source code.

What is Chromium?

About the new Edge browser

The same principles as Chromium apply to the latest version of Edge, which provides better-integrated developer tools, great HTML5 support, and easy syncing with the devices. Moreover, the new Edge offers great extension support, and the Edge supports any extension available for the Chrome browser. Unlike previous versions of Edge, the chromium-based Edge is compatible with chrome extensions; therefore, you have a wide list of extensions to choose from. In this regard, The Edge browser features its official extension library as the primary source to get extensions.

The new Edge is relatively more power efficient as compared to its counterpart, Chrome browser, when speaking in the context of computer resources. Under the same workload, the new Edge consumes less RAM than the chrome browser, which leads to somewhat faster performance.

However, security is probably the most prominent trait of the chromium-based Edge browser. Built-in tools let the Edge block all sorts of first and third-party cookies that could keep track of your browser activity. Using three distinct layers of protection, the new Edge keeps the trackers at bay. Upon installation, the balanced protection layer is active that blocks any malicious and some third-party trackers. The basic protection layer is relatively flexible, blocking only Microsoft-designated malicious trackers, while the strict layer will block almost all third-party trackers.

Adding more to the privacy department, the new Edge allows better control over our privacy, making it much easier to manage our privacy preferences. In this regard, the privacy settings on the new Edge are laid out plainly, with a clear explanation of what a certain setting does and how it affects your privacy. Also, when you are on a website, the Edge lets you control the site's tracking and privacy. You can manually alter the site permissions and associated cookies, enable or disable ads or pop-ups, and modify the site's tracking permissions. You can also check the blocked trackers and cookies and view them anytime.

The Latest chromium-based Edge browser is available on Windows and Android while featuring in 90+ languages. Windows users can download and install the new Edge for Windows 10, Windows 7, and Windows 8/8.1. Surprisingly, even though Microsoft has ended the support for Windows 7, the new Edge browser permits its download for Windows 7 systems. Meanwhile, the browser will be installed automatically via a windows update on Windows 10 systems. Other Windows users can manually download the browser from the official Microsoft website or Usitility. Since you can also download the Edge browser on your smartphone, your computer and phone remain connected and won't separate.

Once you install the new Edge browser, you can import the settings, preferences, passwords, data, and favorites from your previous version of the Edge browser. The option to import settings from Google Chrome is also available.

In many ways, the new Edge browser resembles Google Chrome but with a few extra features that might compel us to switch over to the new Edge. With added security, enhanced privacy settings, and less RAM consumption, the chromium-based Edge browser is worth a try.