We re testing the Microsoft Edge 75. This new one, built on Chromium

A very early development version of the Edge 75 browser has leaked to the Internet. This is quite a breakthrough update, because it is the first version of Microsoft's application that uses Chromium as its foundation.

It's the end of a story. Microsoft's proprietary website processing technology, which has been built for decades, is becoming a thing of the past. The next version of the Edge browser will be built on the foundations of Chromium - an open source browser consisting of a Blink rendering engine and a JavaScript processing engine called V8. Chromium is the foundation of browsers such as Chrome, Opera and Brave.

Microsoft, in this way, wants to end the fight for compliance websites and web applications with its solution to use the most commonly used on the market. The company will be the beneficiary of the work of all entities investing in Chromium, it also intends to enrich it with its ideas. This means that Edge will differ from the competition almost exclusively with the application layer, hence the interface or additional functions.

And now the new Edge leaked to the Internet.

Before we start, keep in mind that the application discussed here is not even a public beta. This edition is intended for internal tests at Microsoft, so in theory almost everything can change. I would also like to point out that currently the latest Edge is marked as version 44. The jump to the number 75 is justified by the desire to equalize the version numbering with the one in effect within Chromium.

However, bearing in mind the above reservations, I must admit that as for a non-public version of pre-alpha, the application performs perfectly. The data synchronization does not work in it - all the controls are present in the interface, but the data apparently does not go to Microsoft's servers - and also missing some of the features from the old Edge. These include Reading mode, annotations with a stylus, and a share button.

However, the browser works quickly and steadily. According to very non-laboratory measurements, he uses a few percent. fewer resources from the Chrome browser and a dozen or so percent. from the current Edge version. At the same time, it preserves the advantages of the current version of Microsoft's browser, such as smooth scrolling of websites and an excellent mechanism for rendering fonts.

Microsoft Edge 75 - functional overview and mini test.

Greeting with the user.

As part of the welcome, Edge will offer us to import data from other browsers, including the old Edge or Chrome.

The new tab view can be customized.

Another question that we will have to answer after the installation is the view of the new card. Microsoft has three proposals, with the possibility of modifying them. This view can show us the most visited websites and a stream of messages from the Microsoft News service. It can also be decorated with Bing's everyday wallpaper.

Data synchronization ... is. In theory.

Unfortunately, at least for now, it does not work. However, it uses, of course, Microsoft Account to exchange data with cloud and other devices.

Each website can be an application.

The browser interface stylistically clearly reminds Edge of the current version. I pay special attention to the fantastic possibility of converting websites into applications - and thus a function well known to Chrome users. We can install any website, such as Spider's Web or Google Maps as an application with a few clicks of the mouse. It will then be available as a shortcut on the Desktop, after running without a browser frame, and if it is a PWA, it will work in the background, synchronizing or sending notifications.

This is what the application created by Edge 75 looks like.

The most important controls have been hidden in the menu with three dots.

There are also extensions. First of all from the Microsoft Store.

Extensions for the new Edge will be found in the same location as before. So in the system repository of applications and games. For now, their selection and number seem to coincide with those available for Edge in the current version.

This time, however, we do not have to limit ourselves only to the Microsoft Store. Edge communicates with the Chrome Web Store.

In the browser settings, we can find a well-hidden switch that opens Edge to extensions from other sources. This is a very clever move: the switch is in a place where a less-known user will not find it, which allows Microsoft to provide him with proper protection before installing extensions from sources for which he can not answer. Advanced users who know what they are doing will be able to take advantage of the Chrome Web Store without any difficulties.

Edge also uses proprietary Google solutions such as Chromecast.

However, this means that the browser no longer uses the Miracast standard. Here I have mixed feelings, because I prefer this abandoned standard due to its wider compatibility with the devices I own.

The look of the browser for now without Fluent Design.

However, this may change before the premiere, and the Edge window will perhaps be visually consistent with the rest of the Windows interface.

Security above all else.

Microsoft boasts one of the best solutions related to cybersecurity. Already, individual users and business customers will be protected by a set of services, including Windows SmartScreen.

The Polish language is not available yet.

You can choose it in the settings, but nothing out of this.

Microsoft Edge 75 - when the premiere?

This, unfortunately, we do not know yet. I would guess, however, that public beta testing will start in early May. That's when Microsoft Build will start, an annual microsoft developer conference. The release of a new platform for web applications for Windows and macOS seems to be something that suits this event very much.

I also point out that the Edge using Chromium has already appeared in the production version, although on a rather unusual platform. The browser can be downloaded from the Android Play Store. And, I must admit, it's great .

Thank you Michał Hawryluek for help in this material.

We're testing the Microsoft Edge 75. This new one, built on Chromium