Microsoft’s new Edge browser is great, but it’s missing one big feature

Microsoft is just fresh off the release of its newest web browser, and it is great. Now based on Google’s open-source Chromium engine, many problems from Microsoft’s previous browsers — Edge and Internet Explorer — are now gone thanks to the new Edge. From improved performance that puts it on par with Google Chrome, a fresh new user interface, and many ways to customize your browsing experience, the new Edge is definitely worth switching to. But, there’s still one problem. Edge is missing a key features that a lot of people depend on, most notably, cross-device syncing. Let’s face it. In 2020, nobody ties their browsing to one device. Along with your computer, you’re likely at least browsing the web on your iPad or your smartphone. This is something that even Microsoft partially understands, as it has the “Your Phone” experience that lets you your texts, photos from your phone and more to Windows 10. However, it seems like Microsoft forgot about this feature in the current version of the new Edge. Either that, or didn’t have quite enough time to implement it. Although Google Chrome currently lets you sync up your Chrome browsing history and open tabs across devices, the feature is currently missing from this new version of Edge. Visit the sync menu and look for the option, and Microsoft tells you that it is coming soon. Sure, you can save a website and sync it to your favorites if you want, but having a full list of your browsing history on any device you own is way more convenient, especially if you’re in search of multiple websites. That’s a shame, as Microsoft already has a mobile version of Edge on both iOS and Android. So, if you’re hoping to extend your experience from phone to PC, you might run into some problems. You can technically use the Your Phone App as a workaround to share and send a notification to your phone so you’ll have it handy, but what if you don’t use Your Phone? Why isn’t this a native feature? That important webpage you opened up in the office computer when using Microsoft Edge? It won’t be there if you opened Microsoft Edge on your phone. Want to open the same tab you have on your PC and share the link with your friend with Edge on your phone? Nope, you can’t do it either. The other core experience of any browser is the extensions. They help you block ads, correct your grammar and more. The new Edge now has access to all those same extensions like Google Chrome, minus one thing — syncing. If you’re a person that owns multiple computers like myself, the new Edge can’t currently sync the extensions that you’ve already owned. On a clean install of Edge on your new PC, you’ll have to manually download all the extensions one by one, a truly painstaking process. Although Microsoft has officially launched the new Edge browser, it is still a work on progress. These two key features are missing, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be coming soon. In fact, when asked, Microsoft said that additional syncing capabilities were indeed in the works, but that there isn’t currently a firm timeline. The standard version of Edge will get updates every six weeks like Google Chrome, but you’ll be able to continue to shape the feature of the browser by downloading from the other “channels.” Microsoft loves to invite the public to test its new software, best seen with the Windows Insider Program, and there is hope that we might see these features soon. But, for now, it holds back the new Edge from being the perfect Microsoft web browser I always wanted. Microsoft has added a new share button to Copilot in Edge, allowing users to share AI chat conversations with others more easily by creating a shareable link, as MSPowerUser reports. The update, available now, also expands the “Think Deeper” feature to all users, enhancing AI responses with deeper reasoning. With this addition, Microsoft is making Copilot on Edge more like its website and mobile apps for a more consistent experience. For instance, on copilot.microsoft.com, you can chat with AI without signing up, similar to ChatGPT’s web search. However, unlike Edge’s side panel, the web version doesn’t yet support sharing AI chats, but let’s hope it does soon. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but according to Windows Latest, you won’t be able to uninstall Microsoft Edge from your computer. In an alleged “uninstall” support document, Microsoft doesn’t mention how to uninstall Edge; instead, it tries to convince you why you should keep it. The uninstall document that Microsoft released is supposed to explain how to uninstall the Edge browser. Still, it only shows a checklist of supposed advantages over Chrome, which isn’t entirely accurate. The table mentions Vertical Tabs, Copilot, Read Aloud, Designer, Coupons, and VPN. Microsoft announced its new scareware blocker at the 2024 Ignite conference a few months ago and now it’s ready for users to try out. This preview is open to everyone who uses Edge; you just need to make sure you have previews enabled and that your browser is up to date. Everyone knows about malware nowadays, which means people can get anxious very quickly if they have reason to think their PC has been infected. Scareware scams take advantage of this, using underhanded tactics to make users feel like they’re not in control of their PCs and need to call the “tech support” number provided onscreen. The scammer then gains access to the computer by guiding the user over the phone.