Microsoft Edge 144.0.3719.82 Stable
Microsoft Edge has transformed from Windows' default browser into a genuine competitor worth choosing on its own merits.
Built on the same Chromium engine that powers Google Chrome, Edge combines familiar browsing performance with Microsoft-exclusive features that streamline your daily workflow.
Why Choose Microsoft Edge?
Edge stands out with Copilot AI integration - Microsoft's AI assistant lives in your sidebar, ready to summarize lengthy articles, answer questions about page content, or help draft emails without switching tabs.
This isn't a gimmick; it's genuinely useful for research, work, and everyday browsing.
Vertical tabs fundamentally change how you manage browser clutter.
Instead of tiny horizontal tabs that become unreadable with 20+ pages open, Edge stacks them vertically on the left side where titles remain visible and organized.
Combined with tab groups and Collections for saving research across sessions, Edge handles heavy browsing loads better than most alternatives.
Privacy-conscious users appreciate Edge's three-tier tracking prevention - Basic, Balanced, and Strict - giving you control over how aggressively the browser blocks trackers.
Unlike Brave Browser which takes an all-or-nothing approach, Edge lets you fine-tune protection based on your comfort level.
Built-In Media Support
Edge natively handles modern web formats including WebP images, AV1 video, and HEVC content when paired with the HEVC Video Extension.
For system-wide codec support beyond the browser, install the K-Lite Codec Pack or grab individual extensions like AV1 Video Extension and WebP Image Extensions.
Streaming performance on Netflix, YouTube, and Disney+ benefits from Edge's hardware acceleration and efficient power management - particularly noticeable on laptops where Edge consistently delivers longer battery life than Chrome.
Test your downloaded media files with VLC Media Player or check detailed codec information using MediaInfo.
Productivity Features
Edge includes a built-in PDF reader and editor that handles most document tasks without third-party software.
The immersive reader mode strips away clutter from articles, while read-aloud functionality speaks content back to you - useful for proofreading or consuming content while multitasking.
For downloads, Edge's built-in manager handles basic tasks, but power users should consider Internet Download Manager for accelerated speeds and resume capability, or the free AB Download Manager alternative.
Video enthusiasts can pair Edge with yt-dlp or 4K Video Downloader to save streaming content.
Extensions and Compatibility
Edge supports Chrome extensions directly from the Chrome Web Store - a major advantage over Mozilla Firefox which maintains its own extension ecosystem.
This means virtually every Chrome add-on works in Edge without modification, from password managers to ad blockers.
Developers appreciate Edge's DevTools, inherited from Chromium but enhanced with Microsoft-specific debugging features.
Monitor system resources while testing with CPU-Z to ensure your web applications perform efficiently across different hardware configurations.
Download Microsoft Edge and experience modern browsing with AI assistance, superior tab management, and seamless Windows integration.
