Microsoft Edge Is Objectively Better. But No One Wants It.

Summary

The video delves into the evolution of Microsoft’s browser history, comparing Internet Explorer (IE) to its successor, Microsoft Edge. It highlights how IE's dominance was driven by Microsoft's bundling tactics but was eventually overshadowed by rivals like Firefox and Google Chrome. Despite initial setbacks with Edge, which inherited many of IE's flaws, Microsoft's shift to the Chromium engine in 2020 revitalized Edge. The new Edge now offers faster performance, better efficiency, and integration with Google services, but its legacy still holds it back from widespread adoption, as many users still associate it with the failures of IE.

Takeaways

• 😀 Microsoft Edge is faster and more efficient than Chrome in real-world tests, with lower memory usage and higher performance scores.
• 😀 Despite Edge's technical advantages, its market share remains under 5%, while Chrome dominates with a 60% share.
• 😀 The legacy of Internet Explorer (IE) still negatively impacts the perception of Edge, with many avoiding it due to IE's past issues.
• 😀 Microsoft bundled Internet Explorer with Windows, leading to its dominance but also resentment due to forced use, which eventually led to regulatory issues.
• 😀 After IE’s decline, Firefox initially gained popularity but was eventually overtaken by Google Chrome, which focused on web developers' needs.
• 😀 Google Chrome became the dominant browser by focusing on speed, smoothness, and developer-friendly features, while Internet Explorer lagged behind.
• 😀 Microsoft’s security issues with Internet Explorer, particularly related to VBScript, contributed significantly to its decline and the rise of competitors.
• 😀 Microsoft Edge launched in 2015 but failed to gain traction, using a proprietary engine (EdgeHTML) that didn’t support basic standards like WebM and Opus.
• 😀 Under CEO Satya Nadella, Microsoft shifted strategy and chose to embrace Chromium (Google’s open-source engine) for Edge, launching the new Edge in 2020.
• 😀 The new Edge retains the best of both worlds: Google’s Chromium foundation and Microsoft’s Office integration, while addressing Chrome’s memory usage issues.

Q & A

Why did Microsoft retire Internet Explorer in 2022?

Microsoft retired Internet Explorer in mid-2022 because it was outdated and no longer met modern web standards, making way for a more efficient and modern browser, Microsoft Edge.

How does Microsoft Edge compare to Google Chrome in terms of speed?

Microsoft Edge is reportedly 112% faster than Google Chrome, with real-world tests confirming that Edge consistently scores better than Chrome in performance benchmarks.

What is one of the key advantages of using Microsoft Edge over Google Chrome?

One key advantage of Microsoft Edge is its memory efficiency. For example, when 60 tabs are open, Edge uses 2.9 GB of memory, while Chrome uses 3.7 GB.

How does Microsoft Edge integrate with Google’s services?

Microsoft Edge allows users to set Google as the default search engine, and it supports Chrome extensions, offering a seamless experience for those who prefer Google's ecosystem.

Does Microsoft Edge support Google Chrome extensions?

Yes, since Edge is based on Chromium, it supports extensions from the Chrome Web Store, allowing users to access a wide range of tools and plugins that were previously exclusive to Chrome.

Why do many users still avoid using Microsoft Edge despite its improvements?

Many users avoid Edge because of its association with Internet Explorer, which was poorly regarded due to its slow performance, security issues, and forced bundling with Windows in the past.

How did Microsoft initially dominate the browser market with Internet Explorer?

Microsoft dominated the browser market by bundling Internet Explorer with Windows, forcing new users to adopt it by default, leading to its widespread use despite its lack of quality.

What role did Mozilla Firefox play in the decline of Internet Explorer?

Mozilla Firefox gained popularity as a faster, more secure, and customizable alternative to Internet Explorer, attracting both enthusiasts and general users, and challenging Microsoft’s dominance.

Why did Internet Explorer struggle to keep up with competitors like Firefox and Chrome?

Internet Explorer struggled due to Microsoft's lack of focus on web standards and developer needs, as well as its slow update schedule. This allowed Firefox and Chrome to gain traction with developers and users.

What changes did Microsoft make to Edge when transitioning to Chromium in 2020?

In 2020, Microsoft transitioned Edge to Chromium, integrating Chrome’s open-source code and improving performance, compatibility, and web standards support, while adding its own unique features like integration with Microsoft Office.