Microsoft Edge 116: A New Era of Business Browsing and Enhanced Productivity

Microsoft Edge for Business: Tailored for Organizational Success

At the heart of this release is the "Microsoft Edge for Business". It's more than just a browser; it's a productivity tool designed with businesses in mind. Equipped with native enterprise-grade security, productivity, manageability, and AI integrations, it promises to bolster the productivity and security landscape of organizations.

One of the standout features is the automatic switching capability between personal and work browser windows. The separation ensures a smooth transition between work tasks and personal browsing, allowing users to maintain a clear boundary between their professional and personal lives.

Those signing in with their Entra ID (previously known as Azure Active Directory) will find themselves seamlessly transitioned to the Edge for Business. The updated Edge icon, embellished with a briefcase, serves as a clear indicator that users are in their professional browsing environment.

Enhancing the Windows Experience: Attachable Edge Sidebar

The convenience doesn’t end with the business feature. The ability to attach the Edge sidebar directly to the Windows 10 desktop is a game-changer. It means that users can directly access their apps and websites from their Windows desktops, fostering a fluid workflow.

The "popout" icon, situated at the sidebar's base in the browser, allows users to latch the sidebar onto their Windows desktop. This nifty feature offers a side-by-side experience compatible with any Windows application, including Microsoft Edge itself.

By enabling streamlined access to AI tools and web-based services, like Bing Chat, Microsoft ensures that users can enhance their productivity without the need to launch a browser window, making multitasking smoother and more efficient.

With the promise of additional features in upcoming Edge versions, users have a lot to look forward to. For organizations that prioritize control, the StandaloneHubsSidebarEnabled policy ensures administrators can regulate the availability of this new feature.

Keeping Policies Updated for Improved User Experience

With every new version, it's crucial to update and refine the policies for a better user experience. In this release:

• New Policy: 'ThrottleNonVisibleCrossOriginIframesAllowed' has been introduced, allowing the throttling of non-visible, cross-origin iframes. It’s a move towards better control and improved web page performance.
• Obsoleted Policy: The 'EventPathEnabled' policy, which allowed the re-enabling of the Event.path API, has now been phased out.

Concluding Thoughts

The latest Microsoft Edge 116 release marks a significant step toward the future of business browsing. By marrying productivity tools with a robust browsing experience, Microsoft aims to provide users and organizations with the best of both worlds. As we dive deeper into the digital age, such advancements play a pivotal role in ensuring that we remain efficient, safe, and always ahead of the curve.

Upgrading to the Newest Microsoft Edge: A Step-by-Step Process

Updating to the latest version of Microsoft Edge is usually a straightforward process. Here's how you can do it:

Automatic Update:

By default, Microsoft Edge is set to automatically update itself whenever a new version is available. So, in most cases, the browser will take care of this on its own.

Manual Update:

If you want to check for updates manually, follow these steps:

1. Open Microsoft Edge: Launch the Edge browser on your computer.
2. Access the Settings Menu: Click on the three horizontal dots (sometimes called ellipsis) located in the upper right corner of the browser window.
3. Go to 'Help and Feedback': From the dropdown menu, hover over "Help and feedback" at the bottom.
4. Select 'About Microsoft Edge': Click on "About Microsoft Edge" from the side menu that appears.
5. Check for Updates: Edge will now automatically check for updates. If an update is available, the browser will start downloading it immediately.
6. Relaunch: Once the update is downloaded, you'll be prompted to relaunch the browser to complete the installation. Click the "Restart" or "Relaunch" button.

Direct Download:

If you encounter any issues or prefer a fresh installation, you can always visit the official Microsoft Edge download page and download the latest version directly. Install it as you would with any other software.