How to Use Microsoft Edge Browser in Windows

Edited 1 week ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Microsoft Edge is a web browser developed by Microsoft that offers many features and functionalities for Windows users. It is designed to be fast, secure, and compatible with modern web standards. This guide provides detailed information on how to effectively use Microsoft Edge in a Windows environment, covering everything from basic navigation to advanced features.

1. Getting started with Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge comes preinstalled on Windows 10 and later versions. To open Microsoft Edge, you can click the Microsoft Edge icon in the taskbar, or you can search for it in the Start menu.

Steps to open Microsoft Edge:
1. Click the Start button at the bottom-left corner of your screen.
2. Type "Edge" in the search bar.
3. Click on Microsoft Edge from the search results.

Once you open Microsoft Edge, you'll see the homepage, which usually includes a search bar, quick links to popular sites, and news highlights.

2. Navigating the Microsoft Edge interface

The interface of Microsoft Edge is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly. Here, we will break down the main components of the browser:

• Address bar: This is located at the top, where you can type a web address or search query.
• Tabs: Allows you to open multiple web pages in the same window. You can open a new tab by clicking the plus (+) sign next to an existing tab.
• Favorites Bar: It lets you save your favorite websites and access them quickly.
• Menu (three dots): It is located in the top right corner, and contains options like Settings, History, Downloads, etc.

3. Searching and browsing

Microsoft Edge offers several ways to search and browse the Internet. You can enter search terms directly in the address bar to perform a quick search. Edge uses Bing as its default search engine, but if you prefer another search engine such as Google or Yahoo, this can be changed in the settings.

Search and navigation operations:

- To search using Bing, simply type your query in the address bar and press Enter.
- For navigation, enter the full URL of the website you want to visit and press Enter.

4. Adding and managing favorites

Favorites are bookmarks that allow you to store the addresses of your favorite websites for quick access. Here's how to manage favorites in Edge:

Adding favorites:

1. Visit the website you want to bookmark.
2. Click the star icon in the address bar.
3. Select a folder to save the favorite or create a new one.
4. Click Done.

Viewing and organizing favorites:

- Click the Favorites icon (which looks like a star) on the toolbar.
- Right-click on any favorite to edit or delete it.
- Drag and drop to reorder your favorites.

5. Using tabs efficiently

Tabs in Microsoft Edge let you open multiple web pages in a single window. Here are some great tips for using tabs:

• Create a new tab: Click the plus (+) icon or press Ctrl + T on your keyboard.
• Close a tab: Click the X button on the tab or use Ctrl + W.
• Reopen a closed tab: Press Ctrl + Shift + T to reopen the last closed tab.
• Switching between tabs: Use Ctrl + Tab to move to the next tab.

6. Privacy and security features

Microsoft Edge offers many features to help you protect your privacy and stay safe online.

Tracking prevention:

To protect your privacy, Edge includes a tracking prevention feature that blocks trackers from sites you haven't visited.

To adjust tracking prevention settings:
1. Click the menu button (three dots) in the top right corner.
2. Select Settings.
3. Click on Privacy, search, and services from the left menu.
4. Under Tracking Prevention, choose Basic, Balanced, or Strict.

Security updates:

Always make sure Edge is up-to-date to benefit from the latest security patches. Updates usually happen automatically with Windows Update.

7. Customizing Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge can be customized to suit your individual needs and preferences.

Changes in theme and format:

You can change the look of your browser by choosing a light or dark theme.

Steps to change theme:
1. Open Settings (click on the three dots and select Settings).
2. Navigate to Appearance.
3. Under Theme, choose from Light, Dark, or System Default.

Adding extensions:

Add extensions to extend the functionality of your browser.

To add an extension:
1. Go to Menu (three dots) and select Extensions.
2. Click on Get extensions for Microsoft Edge.
3. Browse or search for the extension you want, then click Get.
4. Follow the instructions to add the extension.

8. Developer tools

For users interested in web development, Microsoft Edge provides developer tools. These tools help with debugging, examining elements, and optimizing your web application.

Opening the Developer tools:

- Press F12 or Ctrl + Shift + I to open Developer Tools.

You will find multiple panels like Elements, Console, and Network to help with various functionalities.

9. Using Edge collection

Collections allow you to collect, organize, and share web content you find on different sites. This is especially helpful for research or planning.

To create a collection:
1. Click the Collections icon in the toolbar.
2. Click Start New Archive.
3. Name the collection and start adding web pages, text or images.

You can easily drag and drop items into a collection, making it a versatile tool for organizing content.

10. Performance optimization in Edge

To keep Microsoft Edge running smoothly, you can manage your browser's performance with a few simple steps:

• Clear browsing data: Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Clear browsing data and choose what data to clear.
• Manage extensions: Disable or remove extensions that you don't use.
• Disable Startup Boost: If Edge opens automatically when you turn on your computer, you can disable it in System Settings if needed.

11. Conclusion

Microsoft Edge is a feature-rich browser that provides many tools to improve your browsing experience. Whether for simple daily use, organizing research, or developing web applications, Edge provides the essential capabilities. By understanding how to navigate and use these features, you can get the most out of your browsing sessions on Windows.

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