Microsoft will force Windows 10 fans to change the way they access the web this week
Edge #Edge
Windows 10 fans will be forced to have their web browser updated this week whether they like it or not. Microsoft has confirmed that it is pushing out a major upgrade tomorrow, April 13, which will see the older version of its Edge software removed from PCs and replaced with the firm’s all-new web browsing application which, rather confusingly, is also called Edge.
Microsoft announce the Windows 10 update
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Microsoft first revealed this news late last year with the Redmond company saying that support and security upgrades for its legacy version of Edge would be ending on March 9.
With this ageing browser not getting the vital updates it needs to keep users safe online it seems Microsoft now wants to make sure everyone is moved over to its latest and greatest browsing experience.
In a post on its support page, Microsoft said: “To replace this out of support application, we are announcing that the new Microsoft Edge will be available as part of the Windows 10 cumulative monthly security update-otherwise referred to as the Update Tuesday (or “B”) release-on April 13, 2021.
“When you apply this update to your devices, the out of support Microsoft Edge Legacy desktop application will be removed and the new Microsoft Edge will be installed. The new Microsoft Edge offers built-in security and our best interoperability with the Microsoft security ecosystem, all while being more secure than Chrome for businesses on Windows 10.”
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Of course, if you’ve already installed the new Chromium version of Microsoft Edge on your computer, the April update will only remove the legacy version from your computer.
Now before you get too angry about Microsoft meddling with your PC and changing things automatically it’s worth remembering that the new Edge is far superior to the older version which was criticised for being notoriously slow and buggy.
The new version of Microsoft Edge is powered by the same open-source Chromium code that fuels Google Chrome – the most popular browser on the planet.
That means you not only get some of Chrome’s most-loved features but also full access to many of its plug-ins and popular extensions. It’s also regarded as being much better for battery life meaning more time online without needing to plug in your laptop.
The new Edge has grown rapidly in popularity since it was launched in January 2020 with recent stats suggesting that it’s now the second most used browser on the planet.
With Microsoft now forcing it on more users, that user base could grow to even bigger numbers although it still has a lot of catching up to do before it gets close to beating Chrome which still accounts for almost 65 percent of all desktop web traffic.