EDGE has become the Microsoft’s default browser in their operating systems. This means that every time you install W10, or any other version, you can use this program to Internet access.
Because it is a practically new tool, we have prepared this article so that you know what it is for and what are the main features that this software has on your computer.
Also, if you continue reading to the end, you can find the step by step what should you do to use Microsoft Edge and get the most out of it. We will also present you the best comparison with other browsers.
What is Microsoft EDGE and what is this software for on my PC?
The first thing you should know is what a web browser is. This is a tool, or computer program, that is installed on a device and is used to navigate the Internet and thus access web pages, download and upload files online. Microsoft Edge is a browser that It is installed by default in version 10 of the operating system Windows, but this does not mean that it cannot be installed in MacOS, Android and iOS.
It is written with language C ++ Y C # and is based on the operation of the Chromium web browser, developed by Google. It uses the same search engine that is used in Internet Explorer, but this time called EdgeHTML. It is associated with the assistant cortana, so that you can work through voice commands. Its use is gratuitous and is available in multiple languages, being able manually set the geographic location to access a better search.
What are the main features of Microsoft’s new browser?
The most important features that you can find in this new Microsoft browser are the following:
- As we told you before, is the default browser for Windows 10 replacing in this way Internet explorer, which had been the navigation tool of all previous versions. It can be used on both computers and mobile devices.
- Supports Cortana, so it can be accessed and worked through the voice assistant.
- You can install it on any operating systemas it is compatible even with iPhone phones.
- Its use is free and has a graphical interface that can be customized according to the user’s needs. This means that you can change the background image through the page settings, choosing a photo of the day or selecting your own.
- To be Chromium-based works with tabs and hidden windows to navigate incognito.
- Like other browsers, Edge uses cookies. This is done to store data on the geographical location of the user, to identify the device and to display advertisements in accordance with usage preferences.
- In any version from the browser you will find frequent icons to access programs and topics of interest.
- It is possible to choose the place of geographical location to relate searches in an easier way and to know news related to the weather, sports and also the business world.
- If you want you can access to Microsoft applications using in the menu located in the upper left from the browser screen.
- By last, if you have one account associated with OneDrive From Microsoft you can store annotations online on the web pages you visit.
Learn step by step how to use Microsoft EDGE and get the most out of it
If you have Windows 10 what you will have to do is configure to Edge as the default browser, but if you have another operating system you will have to download it from the official Microsoft page by clicking on the button TRY NOW.
Once you have Edge configured, you will have to open it and then you will have to perform this step by step that we show you below so that you can use it like a true professional:
Open website
When you need to open an Internet site you will have two options. One is to do it by writing directly the url in the bar located at the top of the screen. It is easy to find, as it starts with a magnifying glass icon and then contains the legend Search or type web address. When you finish writing you will have to press the key Enter.
The other way you have to access a website is to find it through a search engine. This is usually done when you don’t know the URL and what you need is to find sites that talk about certain keywords.
For this task you will have to write the topic of your interest in the bar located in the central part of the screen, which begins with the inscription Search in the Web. As you type, default results will appear that are associated with the desired keywords. You will see below a list in the search engine Microsoft Bing that will help you find what you are looking for. For access a website you only have to click on the title of the page.
Save and manage passwords
For save a password that you use to log into a certain site all you need to do is configure the browser options. This will save it so automatic or ask you if you want to save the passkey.
You can do this task by carrying out the following process:
- Opens the Navigator Edge.
- Head to the top right of the screen and click the button Option menu. It is represented by an icon with 3 horizontal dots.
- Once you have done the previous step you will have to select the function Setting.
- Then you must access the tool Profiles, located first in the left menu of your screen.
- Then, you will have to choose the option Passwords.
- A menu will be displayed in which you can choose if you want the browser to always ask you if you want to save your passwords, Activate automatically the login or never save your passwords.
In case you need manage passwords that you have incorporated into the browser you must click on the option Saved passwords and then choose what kind of action you want to take.
Download files
To download a file you will have to enter the website where you want to download and then choose the button that will appear on the web to carry out the task. In general, you can find this link with the name to download. It is likely that once the download is finished the wizard will automatically open the file explorer for you to choose the destination of the item you just downloaded. That is to say, you will have to choose the folder in which you will save the file under a name that you can choose in this step.
List of the best alternative browsers to Microsoft EDGE that you can use on your PC
Next, we will show you a list of the best alternative browsers to EDGE that you can use.
Let’s get started:
Chrome
This browser belongs to Google, so you can easily link it with other search engine tools. Its use is free and you can download it on any operating system, even if it is closed source. Chrome provides a tool that allows Identify phishing and identity theft sites immediately.
In addition, you can browse incognito mode so as not to reveal your personal data. This means that Chrome it is one of the safest browsers you can find. Another important feature that this tool has from Google is the option to incorporate extensions to the browser. In this way, it is not necessary to leave the sites you visit to access different functions. These programs are called extensions and can be found free and also paid.
Download Chrome Windows
Opera
Opera’s development model is open source being able to be used in any operating system. It was launched on the market in 1995 and is currently available in more than 60 languages for computers, tablets and mobile phones.
Within the most important advantages offered this web browser is the possibility to activate a ad blocking and a VPN server. This last element being a necessary benefit to navigate protecting private data. It has keyboard shortcuts, a password manager and also with pop-up blocking. In this way, it becomes a versatile browser that is highly required by users.
Download Opera Windows
Mozilla Firefox
As with the other tools that we have mentioned before Firefox, belonging to the Mozilla organization, is an open source browser that can be used for free on Linux, Windows. MacOS, Android and iOS.
The interface it offers is based on tabbed browsing. In addition, it has a corrector that analyze spelling and allows you to include extensions to perform tasks automatically. Is considerate one of the safest browsers out there due to the cryptographic system Used in communication between the computer and the server.
Download Mozilla Firefox Windows
Brave
This web browser is based on Chromium, just like Edge, so it becomes an ideal replacement for the tool that we have discussed throughout this article. Its development is open source and can be used on any operating system. It was released in 2016 and is available in multiple languages. It is possible to browse privately including the search engine in this mode DuckDuckGo, making it one of the safest web browsers a user can choose.
Download Brave Windows
Yandex
It is a free browser that is characterized by the speed and security it offers to the user, this is done through the system Yandex and by virus analysis through the tool Kaspersky. It is available, free of charge, for the main computer and mobile operating systems.
It should be noted that every time the user connects to a WiFi network with WEP protocol, Yandex automatically encrypts data traffic, so security remains robust. The interface is similar to that of Windows 8 due to the use of special widgets that facilitate quick access to applications.
Download Yandex Windows