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ActiveChromium engine 29/30 documented

Microsoft Edge

A Chromium browser integrated with Microsoft accounts, Windows, and productivity services.

Published by Microsoft (United States) Verified

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Runs on

  • macOSmacOS: Available
  • WindowsWindows: Available
  • LinuxLinux: Available
  • AndroidAndroid: Available
  • iOSiOS: Available

Choose it when

Choose Edge for a Chromium-compatible browser with strong Windows integration, vertical tabs, and Microsoft productivity features.

Avoid it when

Avoid it if you want a browser with less vendor service integration or a Firefox-derived extension model.

Quick answers

Read straight off the verified record - every one of these is expanded with its source below.

Which platforms does Microsoft Edge run on?
Which platforms does Microsoft Edge run on?
Documented on macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS.
Can I install Chrome extensions?
Can I install Chrome extensions?
Yes - the Chrome Web Store is supported.
Does it block trackers out of the box?
Does it block trackers out of the box?
Yes - tracker or ad blocking is on by default. Tracking Prevention is built in with Basic, Balanced, and Strict modes.
Does it have built-in AI features?
Does it have built-in AI features?
Yes - 8 of 9 documented AI capabilities are built in.
Is it open source?
Chromium open-source components with Microsoft proprietary services
Is it still being developed?
Is it still being developed?
Active - Actively developed with stable desktop and mobile releases.

What Microsoft Edge does

Open any row for the wording and the source behind it

Privacy and tracking

3 built in · 1 undocumented

  • Blocks trackers by defaultBlocks trackers by default: Built in

    Tracking Prevention is built in with Basic, Balanced, and Strict modes.

  • Anti-fingerprintingAnti-fingerprinting: Unknown

    No broad hardened fingerprinting posture is claimed here.

  • Telemetry postureTelemetry posture: Built in

    Diagnostic data and personalization controls are documented in Edge settings.

  • Built-in VPN or proxyBuilt-in VPN or proxy: Built in

    Edge documents a limited Secure Network feature in supported contexts.

  • Private windowsInPrivate limits local records; it does not provide network anonymity.

    InPrivate limits local records; it does not provide network anonymity.

  • Default search engineBing

Extensions and blocking

3 built in · 1 partial · 1 not available

  • Chrome Web StoreChrome Web Store: Supported
  • Firefox Add-onsFirefox Add-ons: Unsupported
  • Native content blockingNative content blocking: Built in

    Tracking Prevention blocks categories of trackers, not every ad or tracker.

  • Manifest V3Manifest V3: Built in

    Manifest V3 is supported.

  • Manifest V2Manifest V2: Minimal or opt-in

    Consumer Manifest V2 support is being disabled in phases from August 2026, with enterprise policy support ending in early 2027.

  • Known limitationsSome Chrome extensions may need explicit permission to install from the Chrome Web Store.

    Some Chrome extensions may need explicit permission to install from the Chrome Web Store.

Workflow

9 built in · 2 not available

  • Vertical tabsVertical tabs: Built in

    Vertical tabs are a documented Edge feature.

  • Tab treesTab trees: Unavailable
  • Workspaces or spacesWorkspaces or spaces: Built in

    Edge Workspaces organize tabs and projects.

  • ProfilesProfiles: Built in

    Profiles or equivalent browser identities are available.

  • Split viewSplit view: Built in

    Microsoft documents split screen: two side-by-side pages inside one tab.

  • SidebarSidebar: Built in

    The Edge sidebar hosts tools and sites.

  • Reader modeReader mode: Built in

    Immersive Reader is a first-party feature from the address bar.

  • Command paletteCommand palette: Unavailable
  • Sync across devicesSync across devices: Built in

    Sync is provided by the browser or its upstream project.

  • TranslationTranslation: Built in

    Microsoft Translator integration is documented.

  • Progressive web appsProgressive web apps: Built in

    Progressive web apps are supported by the Chromium install flow.

AI features

8 built in · 1 undocumented

  • Built-in assistantBuilt-in assistant: Built in

    Copilot provides a built-in assistant surface.

  • Page summarisationPage summarisation: Built in

    Copilot documents page or multi-tab summarisation.

  • Acts on pages for youActs on pages for you: Built in

    Microsoft documents Copilot clicking, typing, and navigating tabs; consumer availability is gated to Microsoft 365 Premium subscribers in the United States.

  • AI answer engineAI answer engine: Built in

    Copilot documents AI-assisted answers in search or the address bar.

  • Works across open tabsWorks across open tabs: Built in

    Copilot documents awareness of multiple tabs or history.

  • Text or image generationText or image generation: Built in

    Copilot documents text or image generation.

  • Choice of modelChoice of model: Unknown

    Model selection is not documented.

  • Retention or training controlsRetention or training controls: Built in

    Copilot documents retention, training or kill-switch controls.

  • Voice or image inputVoice or image input: Built in

    Copilot documents voice or image interaction.

On a phone

10 undocumented

Undocumented is not the same as absent - it means the publisher does not state it.

  • Extensions on mobileExtensions on mobile: Unknown

    Extension support on mobile is not documented.

  • Can be the phone defaultCan be the phone default: Unknown

    Default-browser capability is not documented.

  • Biometric lockBiometric lock: Unknown

    Biometric locking is not documented.

  • Offline readingOffline reading: Unknown

    Offline reading is not documented.

  • Desktop-site modeDesktop-site mode: Unknown

    Desktop-site mode is not documented.

  • Download managerDownload manager: Unknown

    A built-in download manager is not documented.

  • Background playbackBackground playback: Unknown

    Background or picture-in-picture playback is not documented.

  • Web pushWeb push: Unknown

    Web push support is not documented.

  • Data saverData saver: Unknown
  • Address-bar placementAddress-bar placement: Unknown

    Address-bar placement is not documented.

Under the hood

Rendering engine
Chromium
JavaScript engine
V8
Upstream project
Chromium
Release channel
stable
Code and licence
Chromium open-source components with Microsoft proprietary services
Install method
Official installer or app store.
Hardware support
Availability varies by operating-system release and architecture.
Source repository

Active. Actively developed with stable desktop and mobile releases.

Editorial view

Edge is Chrome for people whose life runs through Microsoft instead of Google. Same Chromium engine, same V8, same site compatibility, but the account, sync, and service layer belong to Microsoft, and the browser leans into Windows, Microsoft 365, and Copilot. It ships on macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS through official installers and app stores, and it is the one Chromium fork with real enterprise policy depth behind it.

The workflow case

This is the strongest argument for Edge. All of it is native, no extensions required:

  • Vertical tabs and Workspaces for organised, project-heavy browsing
  • Split screen, sidebar, and Immersive Reader
  • Profiles, sync, translation, and web-app installs

The cost is more Microsoft product surface: shopping prompts, Copilot buttons, and service hooks that some people never notice and others spend an evening turning off.

Privacy, between Chrome and the blockers

Tracking Prevention is on by default with Basic, Balanced, and Strict levels. That is a real control, not a full content blocker, and plenty of ads survive it. Telemetry is built in with settings to trim it. Fingerprinting protection is not documented as a posture, the limited Secure Network VPN only covers supported contexts, and InPrivate clears local traces without hiding anything from the network. Bing is the default search engine, which is usually the first thing switchers change.

Extensions

They install from the Chrome Web Store, sometimes after an extra permission prompt. Manifest V3 is the platform. Manifest V2 is being switched off in phases that started in August 2026, with enterprise policy support ending in early 2027, so an old V2 extension is living on borrowed time here just as it is in Chrome.

The verdict

Choose Edge when Microsoft integration, Workspaces, and IT manageability are worth the bundled services. Skip it if you want a quieter browser or a Firefox-style extension model. Either way, treat Tracking Prevention as a useful default rather than a privacy strategy, and test your critical extensions before a wide rollout, because the V2 shutdown is still in motion. On phones it is a competent Chromium app with sync, though nothing about the mobile build argues for switching by itself.

Where these facts come from

Every capability above is read from a primary source and dated. 1 of 30 fields stay recorded as unknown rather than assumed.

If this is not it

Alternatives to Microsoft Edge

Head to head

Reviewed comparisons featuring Microsoft Edge