Edge (web browser)

Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge on Windows 10 in light mode
Developer(s)	Microsoft
Initial release	29 July 2015; 19 months ago (2015-07-29)
Stable release(s)
Windows 10 38.14393.0.0 / August 2, 2016; 7 months ago (2016-08-02) Windows 10 Mobile 38.14393.693.0 / January 10, 2017; 2 months ago (2017-01-10) Xbox One 38.14393.0.0 / July 29, 2016; 7 months ago (2016-07-29)
Preview release(s)
Windows 10 40.15060.0.0 / March 16, 2017; 10 days ago (2017-03-16) Windows 10 Mobile 40.15055.0.0 / March 10, 2017; 16 days ago (2017-03-10)
Development status	Active
Written in	C++
Included with	Windows 10, Windows 10 Mobile, Xbox One
Engines	EdgeHTML,Chakra
License	Proprietary software; a component of Windows 10
Website	microsoftedge.com

Microsoft Edge (codename "Spartan") is a web browser developed by Microsoft and included in Windows 10, Windows 10 Mobile and Xbox One, replacing Internet Explorer as the default web browser on all device classes. Microsoft says that it is designed to be a lightweight web browser with a layout engine built around web standards. It has new features, including integration with Cortana, annotation tools, and a reading mode.

Edge does not support ActiveX or Browser Helper Objects of Internet Explorer. Browser extension support was developed and added in preview builds in March 2016, and released with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update on August 2, 2016. Microsoft Edge extensions are distributed via Windows Store.

Microsoft Edge is the default web browser on Windows 10, Windows 10 Mobile, and Xbox One consoles, replacing Internet Explorer 11 and Internet Explorer Mobile. Microsoft initially announced that Edge would support the legacy Trident (MSHTML) layout engine for backwards compatibility, but later said that, due to "strong feedback", Edge would use a new engine, while Internet Explorer would continue to provide the legacy engine.

The browser includes an integrated Adobe Flash Player, a PDF reader and supports asm.js.

Edge does not support legacy technologies such as ActiveX and Browser Helper Objects, and will instead use an extension system. Internet Explorer 11 will remain available alongside Edge on Windows 10 for compatibility; it will remain nearly identical to the Windows 8.1 version and not use the Edge engine as was previously announced.