Microsoft Will Separate Edge Browser Updates from Windows 10 with Redstone 3

[Megalith]

This didn’t really hit me until now, but the way you update the Edge browser is pretty clunky compared to Chrome and Firefox: it relies on Windows Update to patch itself rather than merely letting users update within the program itself. It is doubly weird because the IE successor was obviously built to combat Google and Mozilla’s browsers, yet they didn’t seem to put any thought into developing a process for the kind of rapid updates that the competition regularly receives. It seems MS has finally realized their mistake.

…there's still one big problem with Windows 10 going head-to-head with Chrome OS. Chrome is updated frequently and seamlessly by Google; however, Microsoft's Edge browser is only updated - aside from security updates - in new feature builds of Windows 10, which only happens twice per year. But according to internal sources, that's all going to change in September, when the next feature update to Windows 10, codenamed Redstone 3, is released. Users will finally be able to get updates to the Edge browser via the Windows Store, which will allow Microsoft to add new features more frequently.

 

[M76]

Doest that mean they're seperating the browser from windows as well, or it's just another way of forcing you to use the store?
Not that edge is a great way of doing that. I might have started it once by accident since I installed W10 a year ago.

 

[Jim Kim]

Did someone at Microsoft notice that Edge has less than 6% market share.

 

[SvenBent]

I use ie1 more than edge....

i jsut dont get he benefits of havbing to get through 2 differnet methods. what wrong in just making fast updates on windows updates platform ?

 

[rudedog]

what wrong in just making fast updates on windows updates platform ?

They can't up sell you something via windows update.

 

[bman212121]

No, screw this. Seriously. I don't know, want, or care about features to the web browser. We're well past the point where game changing features are coming out every week. All this is going to do is keep screwing up Windows update and making it a bigger PITA than it already is now. The whole update rollup idea is already going to hell because they keep breaking out pieces of software from the bundle. Adding Edge on top of windows updates, .Net updates, flash and Silverlight updates will be a complete waste of time.

 

[Poseur]

Firefox and Chrome aren't the best examples to follow. I should NOT have most of my phone data going to updates to software I don't use and can't uninstall. I removed Firefox from my phone so I wouldn't have to update two browsers every other day. Google Chrome can't be uninstalled unless I root. Thanks Google!

 

[PeaKr]

I only need edge for 2K-4K netflix, funny how it worked out that way.

 

[BloodDonor]

Windows Store? Hahahahaha... NO

 

[polonyc2]

Internet Explorer relies on Windows Update as well...was anyone expecting something different with Edge?...not me

 

[bigdogchris]

Yeah, it makes sense to be able to update a modern app through the Store like everything else. Kinda surprised it hasn't always been this way.

 

[Talyrius]

No, screw this. Seriously. I don't know, want, or care about features to the web browser. We're well past the point where game changing features are coming out every week. All this is going to do is keep screwing up Windows update and making it a bigger PITA than it already is now. The whole update rollup idea is already going to hell because they keep breaking out pieces of software from the bundle. Adding Edge on top of windows updates, .Net updates, flash and Silverlight updates will be a complete waste of time.

Huh!? They are separating it from Windows Update...

 

[BulletDust]

Firefox and Chrome aren't the best examples to follow. I should NOT have most of my phone data going to updates to software I don't use and can't uninstall. I removed Firefox from my phone so I wouldn't have to update two browsers every other day. Google Chrome can't be uninstalled unless I root. Thanks Google!

So do what everyone else does and set your handset to only update when connected to WiFi and not to update when connected to the mobile network....?

 

[gunbust3r]

I know the solution! A press conference: "We've massively retrenched'"

 

[M76]

I use ie1 more than edge....

i jsut dont get he benefits of havbing to get through 2 differnet methods. what wrong in just making fast updates on windows updates platform ?

What was wrong with having the control panel? Why did we need the settings app? Same answer.

 

[Deleted member 108676]

I'll never use anything that I have to use the windows store for.

Ever.

 

[ManofGod]

So do what everyone else does and set your handset to only update when connected to WiFi and not to update when connected to the mobile network....?

So, do like everyone else does and make a blanket statement without telling anyone where this magical setting is? I looked and, so far, have not found it.

 

[Burticus]

LOL who even uses IE er I mean Edge besides my Mom? I only use it when I need to pull up a site without turning off all my adblock/video block etc extensions in Chrome.

 

[heatlesssun]

LOL who even uses IE er I mean Edge besides my Mom? I only use it when I need to pull up a site without turning off all my adblock/video block etc extensions in Chrome.

Edge isn't a bad browser. Two major advantages it has are battery life and it's the best touch enabled browser for Windows 10. Chrome's major advantage is its enormous extension library.

 

[trparky]

About fucking time! They needed to do this a long damn time ago, that is, separating it from the update procedure so that they can roll out major updates to Microsoft Edge faster than only twice a year (the twice a year Windows 10 update schedule). Microsoft Edge is after all just a UWP app on steroids, so why can't it be updated like any other UWP app? Maybe once Microsoft Edge gets a proper release cycle developers would be more willing to release more extensions for it.

 

[Lakados]

Edge has potential, but Chromes faster turn around time on updates, upgrades, and features make it the better choice 99% of the time over Edge. With this it gives their browser team the ability to actually play catch-up, and I really do hope that Windows 10 Cloud edition is a solid product, I need a Chromebook I can domain join and Windows 10 Cloud could possibly fill that role.

 

[otherweeb]

Edge isn't a bad browser. Two major advantages it has are battery life and it's the best touch enabled browser for Windows 10. Chrome's major advantage is its enormous extension library.

But it suffers the same fate as everything else MS does, "Let's completely revamp the interface and access paths and force the consumers to learn it all over again!"

Ironically, the polar opposite of the gaming industry......Call of Duty # 14 anyone?

 

[Ur_Mom]

So, do like everyone else does and make a blanket statement without telling anyone where this magical setting is? I looked and, so far, have not found it.

What OS? I know Windows Phone had it, and I know my iPhone has it. I'm sure Android has to have it. (yes, Android has it - https://www.cnet.com/pictures/11-ways-to-reduce-android-data-usage-pictures/).

If you need pictures of iPhone or WP, it's a quick Google search.

I do it for my iPhone as some of those updates are pretty good sized for simple things. But, I guess it's the whole package and not just the updated bits...

 

[heatlesssun]

But it suffers the same fate as everything else MS does, "Let's completely revamp the interface and access paths and force the consumers to learn it all over again!"

I'd say that the learning curve for the common web browsers for day to day use is extremely low.

 

[Ur_Mom]

I'd say that the learning curve for the common web browsers for day to day use is extremely low.

Sure. But, switch from one to the other after using one for many years.

It takes a bit to find the various buttons, what things do, what works/doesn't work, extensions, etc.. Even going from Chrome to Firefox isn't that easy. Easy to use (type URL and go to Pornhub), but it takes time to master it and get it completely working how you want it. It took me a while to fully move to Chrome and now it would take a while to move back to Firefox. Same with Edge. It's very different than IE or the others. I like it, but it's not just an easy switch and forget. There is still a learning curve.

 

[heatlesssun]

Sure. But, switch from one to the other after using one for many years.

It takes a bit to find the various buttons, what things do, what works/doesn't work, extensions, etc.. Even going from Chrome to Firefox isn't that easy. Easy to use (type URL and go to Pornhub), but it takes time to master it and get it completely working how you want it. It took me a while to fully move to Chrome and now it would take a while to move back to Firefox. Same with Edge. It's very different than IE or the others. I like it, but it's not just an easy switch and forget. There is still a learning curve.

I agree but I think that most people can navigate the basics of a web browser pretty quickly. How favorites work and synch, extensions, etc. that takes some time but not really day to day. But people stick with what they are used to which is one reason why Edge isn't gaining much traction. But if you are on the go with a Windows 10 laptop or tablet, it will be a lot better on battery.

 

[Ur_Mom]

I agree but I think that most people can navigate the basics of a web browser pretty quickly. How favorites work and synch, extensions, etc. that takes some time but not really day to day. But people stick with what they are used to which is one reason why Edge isn't gaining much traction. But if you are on the go with a Windows 10 laptop or tablet, it will be a lot better on battery.

It does make a huge difference with battery life on a SP4. I like Edge, it's just a secondary browser and not my primary.

It's like Excel or Word. The basics are the same across other like programs. If you want to do anything outside of the absolute basic stuff, you're learning something new. For Mom and Dad, it probably doesn't matter (except for some... but we'll leave those exceptions out of it!). They can use whatever. Change the icon to look like what they are familiar with and tell them they changed the look and they won't have a problem...

 

[ManofGod]

What OS? I know Windows Phone had it, and I know my iPhone has it. I'm sure Android has to have it. (yes, Android has it - https://www.cnet.com/pictures/11-ways-to-reduce-android-data-usage-pictures/).

If you need pictures of iPhone or WP, it's a quick Google search.

I do it for my iPhone as some of those updates are pretty good sized for simple things. But, I guess it's the whole package and not just the updated bits...

Cool, thanks. Although I had to get a new phone and I am on Android, I still prefer the Windows Mobile OS, settings are all in one place, not spread out all over the place and buried. I was literally looking in the Android settings where they would have been on Windows.

 

[Spidey329]

…there's still one big problem with Windows 10 going head-to-head with Chrome OS. Chrome is updated frequently and seamlessly by Google; however, Microsoft's Edge browser is only updated - aside from security updates - in new feature builds of Windows 10, .

Chrome OS != Chrome Browser as far as feature updates to my knowledge. This comparison makes no sense.

Also, the fact that Edge was tied into the Windows Update slow-release paradigm also made no sense.

 

[otherweeb]

I agree but I think that most people can navigate the basics of a web browser pretty quickly. How favorites work and synch, extensions, etc. that takes some time but not really day to day. But people stick with what they are used to which is one reason why Edge isn't gaining much traction. But if you are on the go with a Windows 10 laptop or tablet, it will be a lot better on battery.

HA!

First time I opened Edge I thought "Where's the address bar? How do I type an address?"

...and that was that.

 

[BulletDust]

So, do like everyone else does and make a blanket statement without telling anyone where this magical setting is? I looked and, so far, have not found it.

At the time of this post I didn't even know what phone you had! I just love the way you ask so nicely.

As you've no doubt found, and could have found in around a minute with a simple Google search, the setting is under 'Settings' in the Google Play Store...

The setting should be enabled by default under Android.

 

[BulletDust]

Edge isn't a bad browser. Two major advantages it has are battery life and it's the best touch enabled browser for Windows 10. Chrome's major advantage is its enormous extension library.

I'm not terribly sold on the whole better battery life thing.

Edge is primarily designed as a mobile browser, in comparison Microsoft are comparing it to fully fledged desktop browsers under Windows and claiming Edge has better battery life! Hardly a fair comparison.

It would be interesting to see how Edge's supposed battery life advantage compares to actual mobile versions of Chrome and Firefox.

 

[heatlesssun]

I'm not terribly sold on the whole better battery life thing.

It's been pretty obvious to me when streaming from Amazon, video playback is quite a bit more efficient in Edge than Chrome. Chrome has improved as well over the last year in battery efficiency on Windows.

Edge is primarily designed as a mobile browser, in comparison Microsoft are comparing it to fully fledged desktop browsers under Windows and claiming Edge has better battery life!

And what exactly is the difference between Edge you call a mobile browser and Chrome?

It would be interesting to see how Edge's supposed battery life advantage compares to actual mobile versions of Chrome and Firefox.

And again, what's the real difference? What's different about mobile Chrome and desktop Chrome?

 

[Ur_Mom]

I'm not terribly sold on the whole better battery life thing.

Edge is primarily designed as a mobile browser, in comparison Microsoft are comparing it to fully fledged desktop browsers under Windows and claiming Edge has better battery life! Hardly a fair comparison.

It would be interesting to see how Edge's supposed battery life advantage compares to actual mobile versions of Chrome and Firefox.

Chrome, even on my desktop, is a resource hog. They've definitely improved it, but it's still pretty high maintenance. I left Firefox because it wanted to use gig's of RAM. Chrome will get my CPU raging. Edge a lot less so. IE had some times where it'd take 100% and lock shit up. I'm thinking Edge will eventually. I just haven't used it enough to get it to do it.

 

[BulletDust]

And again, what's the real difference? What's different about mobile Chrome and desktop Chrome?

Well obviously the mobile application is optimised more for mobile use and therefore prioritises energy efficiency over raw processing power and sandboxing!

The fact is that it's obvious, considering it's simplistic UI and touch oriented interface, that Edge is designed primarily as a mobile application - So compare it to mobile applications, not desktop applications that don't consider battery life to be their number one priority.

I'm not going to get into an argument over this, I've stated my point and it makes perfect sense.

 

[ChadD]

It's been pretty obvious to me when streaming from Amazon, video playback is quite a bit more efficient in Edge than Chrome. Chrome has improved as well over the last year in battery efficiency on Windows.

Give me a break heatle. Everyone knows MS fudges their tests showing stupidly better battery life performance out of edge.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/3087...-test-edge-vs-chrome-vs-opera-vs-firefox.html

Bottom line is MS exaggerates... shocker I know. If you run light load browsing tests on NON-MS hardware Edge is easier on the power sure. It is not the massive hours long win MS claims. I really hope there aren't loads of people running their laptop batts right down to zero all the time... and if your not I doubt many people will notice much difference between 355 min or 385 min of bat time. I'll take the 355 with a fully featured browser that syncs to my Android or Iphone, desktop... and just stays out of my way any day.

The massive gap test MS could show running older versions of chrome or cherry picking specific content are silly. I'm sure someone could take the chromium code and strip it down to the bare min to run some html 5 video and destroy edge to make a point. Really though what would be the point MS has already done a fine job of turning people off their browser.

 

[heatlesssun]

Well obviously the mobile application is optimised more for mobile use and therefore prioritises energy efficiency over raw processing power and sandboxing!

The fact is that it's obvious, considering it's simplistic UI and touch oriented interface, that Edge is designed primarily as a mobile application - So compare it to mobile applications, not desktop applications that don't consider battery life to be their number one priority.

I'm not going to get into an argument over this, I've stated my point and it makes perfect sense.

What's so advanced about Chrome's UI versus Edge's? Most of the world's PCs have batteries so it's no like power efficiency isn't important to them. Chrome in Windows is quite touch aware, it's not dramatically different than Edge in that regard, Edge is just a bit more fluid and snappier overall when using touch, especially on lower end hardware. The thing that makes a desktop browser are extensions. And in that area Chrome clearly kills Edge though Edge supports essentially the same extension framework, few are creating extensions for it.

But even when loaded without extensions, it's easy to just look at task manager and see that Edge takes less memory and CPU on the same web pages that render exactly the same. Microsoft is optimizing Edge for Windows 10, Chrome is cross-platform, so it's not hard to understand that Microsoft is optimizing its browser for its OS in ways that Google simply doesn't care about as much.

 

[heatlesssun]

Give me a break heatle. Everyone knows MS fudges their tests showing stupidly better battery life performance out of edge.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/3087...-test-edge-vs-chrome-vs-opera-vs-firefox.html

Bottom line is MS exaggerates... shocker I know. If you run light load browsing tests on NON-MS hardware Edge is easier on the power sure. It is not the massive hours long win MS claims. I really hope there aren't loads of people running their laptop batts right down to zero all the time... and if your not I doubt many people will notice much difference between 355 min or 385 min of bat time. I'll take the 355 with a fully featured browser that syncs to my Android or Iphone, desktop... and just stays out of my way any day.

The massive gap test MS could show running older versions of chrome or cherry picking specific content are silly. I'm sure someone could take the chromium code and strip it down to the bare min to run some html 5 video and destroy edge to make a point. Really though what would be the point MS has already done a fine job of turning people off their browser.

That was a year ago and even this guy's tests showed Edge with batter battery life, just not as much as Microsoft had claimed.

 

[BulletDust]

What's so advanced about Chrome's UI versus Edge's? Most of the world's PCs have batteries so it's no like power efficiency isn't important to them. Chrome in Windows is quite touch aware, it's not dramatically different than Edge in that regard, Edge is just a bit more fluid and snappier overall when using touch, especially on lower end hardware. The thing that makes a desktop browser are extensions. And in that area Chrome clearly kills Edge though Edge supports essentially the same extension framework, few are creating extensions for it.

But even when loaded without extensions, it's easy to just look at task manager and see that Edge takes less memory and CPU on the same web pages that render exactly the same. Microsoft is optimizing Edge for Windows 10, Chrome is cross-platform, so it's not hard to understand that Microsoft is optimizing its browser for its OS in ways that Google simply doesn't care about as much.

I've made my point, Chrome as well as Firefox have mobile browsers and it's obvious Edge is specifically designed to be a mobile browser - So compare it mobile browsers that prioritise efficiency as opposed to desktop browsers that do not. There's not much more to argue here.

 

[ChadD]

That was a year ago and even this guy's tests showed Edge with batter battery life, just not as much as Microsoft had claimed.

Exactly my point... it was around the same time MS was making stupid claims. Clearly they where MS (Edit: I meant to type BS, clearly a Freudian slip). Since then google has released 53 which added a bunch of power state improvements. If PC world where to re ran those tests with up to date software MS wouldn't even have the 30min advantage they showed a year ago. So still claiming that Edge is a better choice cause power reasons... well its what you have to say if you work for MS I guess.