How to Upgrade Edge Browser in 5 Easy Steps

Have you grown weary of your current web browsing experience? If so, it may be time to upgrade your browser. There are various options available, but one of the most popular is Microsoft Edge. Edge is a fast, secure, and reliable browser that offers a host of features to enhance your online experience. If you’re already using Edge but haven’t upgraded in a while, you’re missing out on the latest improvements and security patches. Upgrading Edge is a quick and easy process, and it only takes a few minutes to complete. Here are the steps on how to do it:

First, open Microsoft Edge and click on the three dots in the upper right-hand corner of the window. Then, select “Help and Feedback” and then “About Microsoft Edge.” You will see your current version number and an option to check for updates. If an update is available, click on “Download and install.” The download and installation process will begin, and once it is complete, you will be prompted to restart your browser. Once you restart Edge, you will be using the latest version with all the latest features and security patches.

Upgrading Microsoft Edge is important for several reasons. First, it ensures that you have the latest security patches to protect your computer from malware and other online threats. Second, it gives you access to the latest features and improvements, which can make your browsing experience more enjoyable and productive. Finally, it helps to keep your browser running smoothly and efficiently. By following the steps above, you can upgrade Microsoft Edge in a few minutes and enjoy the benefits of the latest version.

Check for Updates Automatically

Keeping your Edge browser up-to-date is crucial for a seamless browsing experience. Fortunately, Microsoft Edge is designed to automatically check for and install updates in the background. This ensures that you have the latest features, security patches, and performance improvements without any manual intervention.

To ensure that automatic updates are enabled, follow these steps:

Launch the Edge browser on your device.
Click on the three dots (ellipses) located at the top-right corner of the window.
Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
In the left-hand navigation pane, scroll down to the “About Microsoft Edge” section.
Click on the “Update” button.
Edge will automatically check for available updates and download them in the background.

Once the updates are downloaded, you will be notified that they are ready to be installed. You can either choose to install the updates immediately or schedule them to be installed later at a convenient time.

To schedule an update for later installation, follow these steps:

Click on the “Schedule restart” option in the Edge browser.
Select a time when you want the updates to be installed.
Edge will restart at the scheduled time and install the pending updates.

To ensure that your Edge browser remains up-to-date, it is recommended to enable automatic updates and check for new versions regularly through the “About Microsoft Edge” section in the browser’s settings.

Enable Experimental Features

Unlock advanced options and features hidden within Microsoft Edge by enabling experimental features. Follow these steps to access and activate them:

1. Launch Microsoft Edge.

2. Type about:flags in the address bar and press Enter. This will open the experimental features page.

3. Explore the list of available features and their descriptions. Each feature has a corresponding toggle switch or drop-down menu.

4. Locate the desired feature and enable it by toggling the switch to “Enabled” or selecting the appropriate option from the drop-down menu. Some features may require a browser restart to take effect.

5. Restart Microsoft Edge if prompted or necessary.

6. Verify that the experimental feature has been successfully enabled by checking its functionality or by navigating back to the about:flags page and ensuring that it remains enabled.

Example:

To activate the “Smooth Scrolling” feature, follow these steps:

Step	Action
1	Open Microsoft Edge and type about:flags in the address bar.
2	Locate the “Smooth Scrolling” feature under the “Scrolling” section.
3	Toggle the switch to “Enabled”.
4	Restart Microsoft Edge to apply the changes.
5	Experience smoother scrolling while browsing web pages.

Caution:

Experimental features are in development and may not be fully stable. Use them with caution, as they may cause unintended behavior or instability in Microsoft Edge. It is recommended to only enable features that you understand and require.

Customize Toolbar and Menu

Edge browser offers a customizable toolbar and menu interface, allowing users to tailor the browser to their preferences. Follow these steps to modify the toolbar and menu:

1. Click the three dots (…) in the top-right corner of the browser window.

2. Select “Settings.”

3. In the “Appearance” tab, find the “Customize toolbar” section.

4. Here, you can add or remove buttons from the toolbar. To add a button, click “Add new” and select a desired option from the menu. To remove a button, hover over it and click the X icon that appears.

Rearranging Toolbar Buttons

To rearrange the order of buttons on the toolbar:

Click and hold the desired button.
Drag the button to the desired location within the toolbar.
Release the mouse button to drop the button in its new position.

Customizing the Menu

To customize the menu, click the “Customize menu” button in the “Appearance” tab.

You can rearrange or hide menu items by dragging and dropping them, or by clicking the corresponding checkboxes. You can also create custom menu items by clicking “Add new” and entering the desired text and command.

Enhance Productivity with Edge Browser Extensions

Empower your browsing experience by installing extensions from the Microsoft Store. Discover a vast array of tools to customize your browser, improve functionality, and boost productivity. From ad blockers and password managers to note-taking apps and language translators, there’s an extension for every need.

Improve Privacy and Security

Enhanced Tracking Prevention

Edge Browser provides robust tracking prevention features to protect your online privacy. It automatically blocks third-party trackers, preventing them from collecting your browsing data and creating a detailed profile of your online activity.

Incognito Mode

For enhanced privacy, utilize Incognito Mode. This feature prevents Edge Browser from storing your browsing history, cookies, and temporary data. It’s the perfect solution for sensitive searches and anonymous browsing.

Strict Site Permission Control

Edge Browser empowers you with granular control over site permissions. Determine which websites can access your location, microphone, camera, and other sensitive information. Restrict or deny permissions as needed to safeguard your privacy.

Automatic Safety Checks

Edge Browser continuously scans for potential security threats. It checks for malware, phishing attempts, and unsafe websites. If a threat is detected, the browser will warn you and block access to the malicious content.

Data Breach Alerts

Stay informed about data breaches that may affect your online accounts. Edge Browser monitors known data breaches and notifies you if your credentials have been compromised. This allows you to take prompt action to secure your accounts and protect your personal information.

Customize Your Browsing Experience

Tailor Edge Browser to your preferences. Customize the homepage, favorites bar, and menu to create a personalized browsing environment. Adjust the zoom level, font size, and text encoding to enhance readability. Choose from a variety of themes to match your style and create a visually appealing browsing experience.

Synchronize Settings Across Devices

Edge allows you to sync your browsing data, including history, favorites, passwords, and preferences, across multiple devices. This means you can access your browsing data from any device you’re signed into with your Microsoft account.

To enable sync, follow these steps:

Step	Instructions
1	Open Edge and click the three dots in the upper right corner.
2	Click “Settings.”
3	Click “Sync” in the left sidebar.
4	Click the “Sign in” button.
5	Enter your Microsoft account credentials and click “Next.”
6	Select the data you want to sync and click “Done.”

Once you’ve enabled sync, your browsing data will be automatically synced across all of your devices. You can check the status of your sync by opening Edge and clicking the three dots in the upper right corner. Then, click “Settings” and click “Sync” in the left sidebar. The “Sync” page will show you which data is being synced and when the last sync occurred.

Troubleshoot Common Issues

1. Unable to Install or Update Edge

Verify your internet connection and ensure your system meets the minimum requirements. Check for pending Windows updates, restart your computer, and try again.

2. Edge Crashes or Freezes

Close other browser tabs and extensions. Disable any incompatible browser extensions or plugins. Update your graphics drivers and check for malware.

3. Slow Browser Performance

Clear your browsing history, cache, and cookies. Disable unnecessary browser extensions. Adjust your browser settings, such as hardware acceleration.

4. Problems with Bookmarks or History

Sign in to your Microsoft account to sync your bookmarks and history. Check your browser’s sync settings and clear any conflicting data from previous installations.

5. Missing or Incorrect Features

Ensure you have the latest version of Edge installed. Check for any browser extensions or plugins that may be interfering. Adjust your browser settings accordingly.

6. Difficulty with Extensions or Plugins

Make sure your extensions are compatible with the current version of Edge. Disable any outdated or malfunctioning extensions. Check for updates or alternatives.

7. Network Connectivity Issues

Check your internet connection and firewall settings. Disable any VPN or proxy services. Troubleshoot your network hardware, such as your router or modem. Try connecting to a different network.

Error Message	Possible Cause	Suggested Solution
“Edge can’t reach this page”	Internet connection issues	Check your connection and firewall settings
“404 Not Found”	Invalid website address	Double-check the URL or try searching for the page
“Server Error”	Website or server problems	Try refreshing the page or contacting the website administrator

Reset Edge Browser to Defaults

If you’re experiencing problems with the Edge browser, resetting it to defaults may resolve the issues. Follow these steps to reset the Edge browser:

1. Open the Edge browser

Launch the Edge browser from the desktop icon, Start menu, or taskbar.

2. Click the Settings and More icon

In the top-right corner of the Edge browser window, click on the three-dot icon labeled “Settings and More”.

3. Select “Settings”

From the drop-down menu, choose the “Settings” option.

4. Navigate to the “Reset Settings” page

Scroll down the “Settings” page and click on the “Reset settings” option located under the “Advanced Settings” section.

5. Confirm the reset

A confirmation dialog box will appear, prompting you to confirm the reset. Click on the “Reset” button to proceed.

6. Edge will restart and reset

The Edge browser will automatically restart and reset to its default settings. All extensions, themes, and cookies will be removed.

7. Sign back into your accounts

After the reset, you will need to sign back into your Microsoft account and any other accounts associated with the Edge browser.

8. Customize your browser

Once you have signed back into your accounts, you can customize your Edge browser by adding extensions, themes, and configuring various settings to suit your preferences.

Find Hidden Features

Discover hidden features in Edge to enhance your browsing experience. Dive into settings and explore options to customize your browser and unlock more functionality.

9. Inspect Elements

Access the developer tools to inspect the underlying HTML, CSS, and JavaScript of web pages. This allows you to troubleshoot issues, analyze web design, and even make visual changes to the page on the fly. To activate the Inspect Elements feature:

Right-click on any element on the web page.
Select “Inspect element” from the context menu.
A sidebar will open on the right side of the browser, displaying the Developer Tools window.
Navigate through the Elements tab to inspect the page’s structure.

Additional tips for using Inspect Elements:

Use the “Console” tab to run JavaScript code and debug web pages.
Enable the “Live HTML” feature to make real-time changes to the page and see the results instantly.
Utilize the “Styles” tab to modify the CSS styles of elements on the page.

Optimize Performance and Speed

Clear Browsing Data

Delete cached data, cookies, and browsing history to remove unnecessary files that may slow down the browser.

Disable Extensions

Unnecessary extensions can consume resources and slow down Edge. Disable or remove any extensions you don’t need.

Use Sleeping Tabs

Suspend inactive tabs to free up system resources and improve performance. Configure this feature in Edge’s settings.

Enable Tracking Prevention

Prevent websites from tracking your online activities, which can improve browsing speed and privacy.

Preload Webpages

Edge can predict and preload commonly visited webpages, reducing load times and improving responsiveness.

Hardware Acceleration

Enable hardware acceleration in Edge’s settings to utilize the graphics card for tasks like video playback and rendering.

Disable Background Apps

Close or disable background apps that are running in Edge, as they can consume resources and slow down browsing.

Regular Updates

Install Microsoft Edge updates regularly to benefit from performance enhancements and security fixes.

Performance Settings

Modify performance settings in Edge to optimize memory allocation and enable experimental features that can improve speed.

Custom Flags

Enable hidden flags in Edge, such as “Experimental QUIC protocol” and “Enable Optimize Rendering for Text,” to further enhance performance.