Microsoft’s preview of its upcoming Chromium Edge browser has leaked, showing how the browser integrates Chrome extensions.
In recent weeks, Microsoft’s Chromium-based Edge browser has been nearing completion and readying for preview. It’s come a long way in a short time since the company announced the switch to Google’s technology in December. Now, the whole Chromium Edge experience has leaked, and you can try it out.
This is what Windows Insiders will receive when the preview opens, which we guess will be happening in the next few weeks. In fact, a simultaneous preview launch alongside Windows 10 April 2019 Update seems more likely.
As Chromium Edge is still in early preview, there are some features missing. You won’t be getting a fully-fledged browsing experience here. Expect Microsoft to add features over time.
Of course, part of the point of switching to Chromium is to allow Edge to better compete with Google Chrome. Under the Chromium banner, the browser supports all Chrome Extensions (and Microsoft’s own) in theory, although only a limited amount will be available at first.
Microsoft has also been working on bringing its own Edge features to Chrome, so this is a two-way street where Google’s browser will also improve. Perhaps the question is, if Edge and Chrome become so similar, why would existing users of either bother switching?
Microsoft clearly wants users to switch from Chrome to Edge and hopes Chromium’s benefits can be the catalyst for a mass browser migration. On the leaked Chromium Edge, the company provides an efficient way to move from Chrome to its native browser.
Upon stating the new Edge, users have an option to import everything from Chrome, including all history, bookmarks, and saved passwords. Among the features it has over current Edge are a Dark Mode and ability to tap into system settings.
Microsoft has already said Chromium Edge will eventually come to Windows 10, Windows 7, and MacOS, although it will debut on the former.
The link to the leaked preview of Chromium Edge is here, although as this is a random binary, it’s probably best to keep this on a virtual machine.