How To Install Microsoft Edge On Windows 7

How To Install Microsoft Edge On Windows 7

With the release of Windows 10, Microsoft has released a new default browser called Microsoft Edge. In the previous Operating Systems, Internet Explorer wa.

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my. Thanks for visiting!

Reinstall Microsoft Edge Browser in Windows 10 Edge Browser driving you crazy? Windows 10 is an awesome operating system, however, there are still some issues which creep up, now and then. One of them is, the problems users face with Microsoft’s new Edge Browser. • Microsoft Edge in Windows 10 not working • The may not open, or Microsoft Edge Browser will not open at all when clicked. • It is missing from the start menu • It is not listed under the Windows Apps • You cannot find it anywhere within Windows 10 Sometimes, the web pages may open in Edge Browser when you search the web from Cortana. But there is no way to launch the Edge Browser manually. You try in another user account and it is working absolutely fine.

Or It may not be working at all in another user account. A or a system restore for another issue could’ve caused it to disappear. What causes Microsoft edge not opening issues? How to fix Microsoft edge? What do you do? You may find it under C: Windows SystemApps Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe MicrosoftEdge.exe, But it cannot be launched from that location.

How To Install Microsoft Edge On Windows 7

Frustration sets in! Whatever the Cause or reason for this buggy situation, you don’t have to reinstall Windows 10. You don’t have to create another user account. We have a Fix. A Simple Fix! An excellent fix for Microsoft edge not responding problems. A fix to repair Microsoft edge browser.

Be sure to run powershell as administrator. After running the fix it still wouldn’t open, but an error i got on initializing the PS fix showed me that the windows firewall needed to be enabled to run the command. On restart I had to start the firewall service in services, because I had it on manual. Initially I had it disabled. Hope this helps others. It *could* be that all I needed to do was start the windows firewall to get it to run. I have run into other apps in Windows 7 that wouldn’t run without WF.

I use Comodo firewall instead. Be sure to run Powershell as administrator. After running the fix it still wouldn’t open, but an error i got on initializing the PS fix showed me that the windows firewall needed to be enabled to run the command.

On restart I had to start the firewall service in services, because I had it on manual. Initially I had it disabled.

MS Edge fired right up after that 🙂 Hope this helps others. It *could* be that all I needed to do was start the windows firewall to get it to run.

I have run into other apps in Windows 7 that wouldn’t run without WF. I use Comodo firewall instead.

No longer pulling my hair out over this one. Hi Jack We can try Re-registering the Appx packages. Go to this Microsoft Link to download the ModernAppRegFix. To run the script: First, save the file as ModernAppRegFix.ps1 to the desktop. Important: Copy the “ModernAppRegFix.ps1” file to the Windows System32 Folder. Launch powerShell in Admin Mode.

Copy and Paste the below Commands Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope Process Unrestricted Hit Enter Type Y Hit Enter..ModernAppRegFix.ps1 Hit Enter (There are 2 dots before the ModernAppRegFix.ps1 command. Don’t miss it) Type R Repair-Appx-Registry -WhatIf Hit Enter If permission errors are found, Then Copy and Paste the below command too. Repair-Appx-Registry Hit Enter Wait for it to process the repair. Hopefully it should fix the registry permission issues. I am also attaching a run in my “Test Windows 10” computer. Regards Fernz •.

To take ownership of a folder to let windows allow you to make changes to it, Please follow the below steps: Right-Click the respective Folder >Properties >Security >Advanced >Change >In the open window “Enter the object name to select” Type Administrators and click ‘Check Names’ >OK. Then put a tick on “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects” Click Apply >Click OK in the Pop-Up Box. Click OK & OK to close all windows. Then, Once again, Right-Click the respective Folder >Properties >Security >Edit >Under “Group or usernames” Select ‘Administrators’ Put tick marks under “Allow”.Click OK & OK to close the Windows. A Very Big Thank You to Chandramouli for giving me the opportunity to help resolve the problem with The Edge Browser.

His patience in following troubleshooting steps through email was awesome. And this helps the whole Windows 10 Community. Thanks Once again Chandramouli. The issue was caused due to a corrupt file in the C: Users UserName AppData Local Packages Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe Folder, which prevented re-installation of the Edge Browser. I have updated the in STEP 3 (18 January 2015) in this Blog Post, so that any issues related to corrupted files in this folder will be taken care. Thank you for your help.

Incidentally, when I tried these steps, I kept getting an error saying “Cannot find path C:Windows SystemsApps ” because it does not exist. However, I verified that the path did exist.

I noticed when I pasted the command into PowerShell, there was a “-” after the AppXManifest tag as in “AppXManifest.xml”. That might have been because I copied and pasted the string into Word and it may have inserted a hyphen at the word wrap. In any event, after I removed the “-“, everything worked fine.

Thank you so much. I have a problem with Microsoft edge in that it won’t print but if I use Google chrome it will print in Word. I bought an Epson printer just recently and installed it. I had Microsoft tech (first level) help me we reinstalled the printer, reset edge put still it show the printer box but says it connect connect to printer. I have checked the printer spool it’s on Automatic.

Since I updated to windows 10 from windows 8.1 I have tried 2 different printer to no avail. I’m not sure to reinstall windows with the recovery disc or to reinstall Edge. Any help would sure be appreciated. I’m 70 years old and i’m pretty good at understanding a computer and install software.

Thanks soooo Much •. Add-AppxPackage: Cannot find path ‘C: Windows SystemApps Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe AppXManifest.xml’ because it does not exist. At line:1 char:68 + Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.I + ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ + CategoryInfo: ObjectNotFound: (C: Windows SystppXManifest.xml:String) [Add-AppxPackage], ItemNotFou ndException + FullyQualifiedErrorId: PathNotFound,Microsoft.Windows.Appx.PackageManager.Commands.AddAppxPackageCommand could not install the “edge” got the aforesaid message, once followed the suggestion •. Hi, I have thsi same issue, I’ve done what It says howerver the same output cotinues: Add-AppxPackage: Cannot find path ‘C: AppXManifest.xml’ because it does not exist.

At line:1 char:68 + Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.I + ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ + CategoryInfo: ObjectNotFound: (C: AppXManifest.xml:String) [Add-AppxPackage], ItemNotFoundExcept + FullyQualifiedErrorId: PathNotFound,Microsoft.Windows.Appx.PackageManager.Commands.AddAppxPackageCommand And the Microsfot Edge doesn’t appears when I search for it •. Im trying to get this to work on both my and my wifes computer but it sawys access is denied even when Im running cmd prompt in admin mode. The problem Im trying to solve is that my edge browsers print screen just comes up with a spiinning wheel of dots and never finds the printer or whatever else its looking for. Free Download Film Naruto Shippuden Episode 318 Subtitle Indonesia.

It wont even let us print to PDF or XPS document because of the same thing. I was hoping a clean install would help, but I cant get this to work either. Any help would be appreciated.

Hi Ryan Assuming, the access denied error is while performing step 3. (Since, step 3 uses the command prompt in Admin mode) This could happen if the file is in use. Windows would not allow to rename files if it is in use. You can try restarting the computer and then perform Step 3. If it still returns the error. Follow the below steps if you have a second user account on your computer: Logout of the current user account login to another user account Run the command to Rename the files. If you do not have a second user account, Follow Step 2 in my Blog.

Navigate to C: Users%username% AppData Local Packages Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe [Where “%username%” is the name of your user account] And try to delete the files inside the Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe Folder. You may have to sometimes individually delete the files one by one until no files are left inside the Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe Folder. (In most cases, If a few files are left un-deleted, it does not matter. However, sometimes, it causes problems when Edge is reinstalled.) So try to delete all the files within the Edge Folder. For Analysis, If you still face issues, Please take a screenshot of the error and send it to •. Greg wondering if you can help me. Don’t really want to reinstall Edge if I don’t have too.

I am having an issue with Edge not staying logged into Facebook and other password required websites. Loading of pages on these sites are very slow and sporadic for a time then once loaded, seem to work okay. Sometimes the page even locks up and then it’s hard to even close Edge. Almost like a script is running in the background. I have spent hours online looking for a solution.

I’ve done al the little things under setting and advanced settings. I’ve cleared my browser date numerous times. Turned on/off/on save passwords and form entries. Tried all three options related to cookies. Ran system file check. Ran windows store apps troubleshooter.

Nothing works. It is very frustrating. I have no problem spending time to try your method if you think it will work.

Or maybe you have another answer. Thank you for taking the time to respond and putting this info online •. Hi Zack Run PowerShell as Administrator.

There are different ways to launch PowerShell in Admin mode. Right-click the ‘Task bar’ >Select ‘Task Manager’ >‘File’ >‘Run new task’ >Type – powershell – in the open window. >Put a Tick on ‘Create this task with administrative privileges’ (You have to click on ‘More details’ at the bottom of the Task Manager to see the expanded view of Task Manager) Click OK. Right-click ‘Start’ Select Command Prompt (Admin) and in the Command Prompt Window Type Powershell Hit Enter. Type Powershell in windows/cortana search, wait for some time and then Right-click on the search result “PowerShell” and select Run as Administrator.

Curious if you could help me or not. I have upgraded about 10 workstations in our domain to Windows 10 as a trial before doing all workstations and Cortona does not appear to work. Other browsers however work like a charm.

I can’t change from Private to Public like I read others have done because it’s a domain network. It’s odd that all of the workstations have the same issue. Before I follow your steps, wanted to know if you had any ideas why this may be ahead of time. DNS Client is also not an issue as it is Automatically started per the Services config screen. Hi I have got a cracker of a problem if you can help?

I have been following your information over the last few days and am getting nowhere? Let me explain: several months ago I tested a bat file from the internet to remove Edge, it worked however I decided after several months I would like to get it back again but that is proving to be impossible so far! ( my fault I know for running the bat file ) so far tried system recovery reset my PC ( no good ) I have no edge folders in either location ( windows app data packages or windows system apps ) SFC scan is not rebuilding finally when run powershell commands as suggested nothing happens just reverts to last prompt after a few seconds I guess things are probably beyond help and I am probably looking at a full reinstall unless any other routes can be suggested? Strangely all other apps are working fine its only Edge that’s the issue its just nowhere on my PC?? Thanks in advance Steve •. I have the problem that I tried everything: deleting and renaming the folder, power shell command with AllUsers and without (with result it should be ok).

But the only successful thing was to create a new administrator account (on the command line, as it is even not possible to create a new account by UI, I also can’t install apps from the store, maybe it all relies on Edge, too?), logging into it and there Edge starts without any problems. Do you have any idea how under these circumstances there is a way to “switch”/copy the working Edge to the main user account with all my documents? Of course, I could move them.

But we want to solve this puzzle, don’t we? 😉 In my case it was an Upgrade from Windows 7 Pro. (I dont know if my post has been sent, but if so you can delete this copy.

BTW, in event log I see in my case it is Exception code: 0xc0000409) I have the problem that I tried everything: deleting and renaming the folder, power shell command with AllUsers and without (with result it should be ok). But the only successful thing was to create a new administrator account (on the command line, as it is even not possible to create a new account by UI, I also can’t install apps from the store, maybe it all relies on Edge, too?), logging into it and there Edge starts without any problems. Do you have any idea how under these circumstances there is a way to “switch”/copy the working Edge to the main user account with all my documents? Of course, I could move them. But we want to solve this puzzle, don’t we? 😉 In my case it was an Upgrade from Windows 7 Pro. Hi Christina, Step 1.

Please run SFC /SCANNOW in Windows safe mode. Also make sure that the PendingDeletes and PendingRenames folders exist under C: Windows WinSxS Temp. (Assuming C is the root drive where windows is installed) Step 2.

You can also run chkdsk /r in command prompt to check the drive for errors. (If bad sectors are found while running chkdsk /r and if attempt recovery of bad sectors is checked while checking the drive for errors, the data in the bad sector might be lost while attempting to recover bad sectors) Step 3. Run this in command prompt admin mode Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth (If it completes successfully, then run sfc /scannow once again and check if it runs without any errors) Step 4. Run sfc /scannow if step 3 completes successfully.

Hello Fernz: After upgrading a Windows 7 64-bit Home Premium machine to Windows 10, the Edge Browser stopped working. Trying to get to any website shows “Hmm.

We can’t reach this page”. The machine has the Chrome browser on it as well and Chrome has no problems resolving and accessing web addresses. After doing a Google search on the problem it seems to be a common issue for Windows 10 and there seems to be no clear solution, not even from Microsoft as far as I could tell. After seeing your post on reinstalling the Edge browser I decided to try it. It worked and displayed the startup to tour the features such as Cortana, etc. I didn’t want that so I went into the browser settings to change the default start up page, Edge reverted back to the original problem.

Really bizarre. Any suggestions on how this persistent and pervasive problem can be solved once and for all? Suggestions appreciated!

Hi Peter, Windows 10 is a wonderful operating system, however, it is not yet stable like Windows 7. Windows apps and Microsoft Edge break easily. Microsoft seems to be interested in only adding more features to it. The Positive side is that Windows 10 seems to get more stable after each consequent update/build, with few hiccups in between. The latest Windows 10 update: Anniversary update version 1607 build 14393 seems to get better in features and stability.

It will be available globally on the 2nd August 2016. Hopefully it will solve our problems.

If you want Windows 10 Anniversary update (Windows 10 Pro 64 Bit – Version 1607 – Build 14393)before the Global launch. Please send me an email to and I can send you the link to download the ISO file. Hi Murdoch, Ensure that you run the command in PowerShell Admin Mode by following any one of the below methods: Type Power Shell in Windows search. Zaner-bloser Handwriting Grade 2c Student Edition.

Right Click and Run as Administrator The “Windows PowerShell” – Desktop app Right-click the ‘Task bar’ =>Select ‘Task Manager’ =>‘File’ =>‘Run new task’ =>Type – powershell – in the open window. =>Put a Tick on ‘Create this task with administrative privileges’ Click OK.(You have to click on ‘More details’ at the bottom of the Task Manager to see the expanded view of Task Manager) Right-click ‘Start’ Select Command Prompt (Admin) and in the Command Prompt Window Type Powershell Hit Enter •.

Hi Fernz, I have Win10 on two other machines that operate Edge perfectly, but this machine gives the “Hmm. We can’t reach this page” message when I try to use Edge as the browser. IE and Firefox both run flawlessly.

None of the solutions above for reinstall/repairing Edge have worked for me. I would ignore this issue EXCEPT I now realize that Microsoft update has NEVER ran on this machine. (Windows Defender virus/spyware definitions do update automatically).

Manually launching the update service gives the message “We couldn’t connect to the update service” everytime. Also, the option of running update IE 11 Tools returns a pop-up “Windows cannot find ‘wuapp.exe’.

Make sure you typed the name correctly, and try again” Fearing a vulnerability, I was able to manually install the cumulative Update for Windows (KB3172988). Since I won’t automatically receive “The latest Windows 10 update: Anniversary update” should I try to manually install it too? Or, do you have a better idea 🙂 •. Hi Nhoji, It is better and much easier to manually install the Anniversary update.

It will also fix all the problems you currently face in your computer. Download the ISO file to your Windows 10 computer. Simply Double Click the ISO file and Windows 10 will automatically mount the ISO file to a virtual BD-ROM Drive. Then go to “This PC” Double Click the Virtual BD-ROM Drive to view the files. Click on setup.exe to launch the Update and follow the instructions.

All your data will be safe if Keep personal files and apps is ticked in the ‘Ready to install’ Screen The update might take anywhere from an hour to 2 or even 3 hours depending on the data you have in your root drive. If you have Windows 10 Pro 64 bit English operating system installed in your system, then, If required I can provide you the link to download the Windows 10 Pro Anniversary update ISO file.

(Windows 10 Pro 64 Bit English – Version 1607 – Build 14393) I received it through windows update to insiders edition of Windows. I then converted the.ESD file to.ISO and used it to update my other Windows 10 systems. Let me know if you need it.

I did this a couple of months ago, successfully, and my Edge browser worked fine until yesterday. I retried the method today, and all I get is: Get-AppXPackage: This operation returned because the timeout period expired. This operation returned because the timeout period expired. At line:1 char:1 Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge Foreach {Ad ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ + CategoryInfo: NotSpecified: (:) [Get-AppxPackage], Exception + FullyQualifiedErrorId: System.Exception,Microsoft.Windows.Appx.PackageManager.Commands.GetAppxPackageCommand Where did the time-out come from this time? The reinstallation went without a hitch before.

Hi Ross, Edge is an integral part of Windows 10. It is very difficult to get rid of it completely without any trace from the system. Bringing it back is also very difficult if you used an app to remove Edge. Guess the app you used to remove Edge is an exe file downloaded from Winaero. It removes related entries from Registry as well as from the WinSxS folder. Just Check if the Edge folder is present in C: Windows SystemApps. If it is present, we might be able to bring it back by renaming the Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe folder to Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.OLD and then running sfc /scannow It will rebuild Edge.

However, if the app you ran is the exe file from Winaero, sfc /scannow will not be able to rebuild the Edge folder in C: Windows SystemApps as sfc /scannow depends on the C: Windows WinSxS folder and some related registry entries to rebuild the missing files. Even running DISM commands to fix the WinSxs folder will not help. Since you have already run sfc /scannow without returning any errors, the Edge folder might not be there in C: Windows SystemApps There are other ways to try to get it back, but it is not worth the time and effort and it may result in other issues too. As you mentioned, stick with alternate browsers.

The next sure shot method is an in-place upgrade of Windows 10. I believe the Windows 10 version / build in your system is 10.0.10586.545 Upgrade to the Windows 10 Anniversary edition and Edge would be back 100%. I can provide you the steps and guide you through email. My problem was that I no longer saw My NewsFeed and Top sites & suggested content, even with selecting these in the Edge Settings – all I saw was an empty page with a URL box. I followed your instructions, and everything appeared to execute properly, I see an renamed folder xxx.OLD and a new one. Powershell steps did not produce any obvious errors.

Good news is that Edge does launch (note I tend to use the Classic Windows interface for Windows 10) but it looks the same as before. Just a blank sheet whether it is a Start Page or New Page. Any idea how to get the news feed back? Could this be due to an issue with Edge collecting or pushing the news feed? Of course I could just provide a news site URL to serve as a home page?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions or assistance. Hi Larry, Do you remember the script used to uninstall edge? (Refer the comment by Ross Algie dated August 21, 2016 at 4:20 am) Check if the Edge folder is present in C: Windows SystemApps. If it is present, we might be able to bring the Edge back by renaming the Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe folder to Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.OLD and then running sfc /scannow It will rebuild Edge.

If the script used to uninstall edge is something similar to the app from Winaero, sfc /scannow will not be able to rebuild the Edge folder in C: Windows SystemApps as sfc /scannow depends on the C: Windows WinSxS folder and some related registry entries to rebuild the missing files. Even running DISM commands to fix the WinSxs folder will not help.

Hi John, Since Windows 10 Creator’s update is on the way, it makes sense now to upgrade. It will fix Edge problems too. It will be launched on the 11th of April 2017 and will be released in phases, so it might take some time before it reaches you. If you want the Windows 10 Creator’s update right away, go to this Microsoft link: If you want the Windows 10 ISO File (3.38 GB), go here: To update your system to Windows 10 Creator’s Update (Redstone2), You will need 8Gb of free space. Let me know if you need further help. Hi Frenz: I upgraded from windows7 to windows 10 long back and now i have windows 10 pro, version-1607 with OS Build 14393-953. I am able to download apps, have mail ms account working and registered as Admin Account holder.

Unfortunately Edge browser has never worked. It closes as soon as it is launched.

I tried many ways available at various forum, no luck. I was glad to find your this page. I followed step 1 to step 3.

I was able to completely delete Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe folder without any problem. Hence I did not follow step4 of renaming. Next completed step 5 to step 7 without any error. Restarted the PC but Edge wont open (sic)! I also ran sfc scan which was clean.

But no luck with Edge. Will appreciate further suggestions. Of-course my Google browser is working fine. Hi Mukund, Since Windows 10 Creator’s update is on the way, it makes sense now to upgrade. It will fix Edge problems too. It will be launched on the 11th of April 2017 and will be released in phases, so it might take some time before it reaches you. If you want the Windows 10 Creator’s update right away, go to this Microsoft link: If you want the Windows 10 ISO File (3.38 GB), go here: To update your system to Windows 10 Creator’s Update (Redstone2), You will need 8Gb of free space.

Let me know if you need further help. Hi Fernz, After updated to Windows 10 Creator, the Edge keeps flashing and disappeared when I launch it. I followed your post and did all the steps and could not fix the problem, I even coped the Edge director from other computer (I have two exact the same, one works fine with Creator update) and still could not fix the problem (keep flashing and disappeared when launch it). If I did launch Edge couple times, then the Edge can stay opened but does nothing, it only shows “go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=525773”, and “setting” has no response, What can I do?

I just quit Edge!! Got on Microsoft Support and after 3 full days with 8 different people they were unable to fix the problem of Edge not loading and then just going off after a few seconds. I would not even be able to relate all they tried. Done with it!! I still got IE and Chrome and I will be happy with them. Twice with two different people when they couldn’t fix it they would just bail an go off line with me, leaving me there waiting and waiting.

I guess that’s how they handle it not to be stupid at their job. I have tried everything mentioned here – even tried going to a previous Restore Point when I knew the Edge worked – but that has not helped – this is on Surface Pro 2 (not that it should matter). Ran SysInternals ProcessMon and seems like there is registry entry that it is trying to get that doesn’t exist. No idea how to re-create these or if that is the real problem.

HKCU Software Classes Local Settings Software Microsoft Windows CurrentVersion AppContainer Storage microsoft.microsoftedge_8wekyb3d8bbwe MicrosoftEdge Main •. Fernz, I have carried out each stage of your recovery process but alas Edge still does not function properly. I have also checked each stage to ensure the result was correct. I have 2 User Accounts, one works perfectly ok but the second does not. When clicking on the Edge icon the screen will appear for about 30 seconds hen disappear. I can click on the seconds and get that to appear but within the 30 seconds all gone. When I ran sfc it returned a message that nothing was found.

If there is anything else you can suggest I would be grateful.

While the Microsoft Edge browser is definitely a compelling upgrade to Internet Explorer in Windows 10, it's struggled against aggressive competition from Google, Apple, and Mozilla. But with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, Edge has had two and half years to mature and improve. Let's see how it stacks up. Pros A fundamentally fluid and snappy browser: On release day, Edge loaded pages quickly and scrolled smoothly. About a year later, Microsoft added support for add-ons, so you have things like LastPass, Reddit Enhancement Suite, Evernote, Pinterest, and ad blockers -- but they don't slow down the browsing experience like add-ons have been known to do. While Firefox may struggle with HD video streaming, and Chrome may eat up a lot of system memory, Edge has neither of these problems and is a night-and-day improvement over Internet Explorer.

Android and iPhone integration: When this browser launched alongside Windows 10 in mid-2015, it lacked a way to smoothly sync your activity to mobile devices. With no Android or iOS version of Edge, Google Chrome has ended up dominating on Android, and Apple's Safari browser has a deeply integrated presence on Apple devices. Now Microsoft has finally come out with mobile versions, albeit in beta testing form. When you log into your Microsoft account in Edge on Android or iOS, it will now sync your open tabs, browsing history, and saved website passwords with your desktop version of the browser. Built-in, high-quality PDF reader: In the past, a PDF reader was something that Windows users had to get themselves -- or they wrestled with the version in Windows 8 that had a frustrating UI that took over your whole screen unexpectedly. In Windows 10, Edge is actually the default for PDFs, and it works well. These documents open quickly and scroll smoothly, and you can treat them like any other tab in your browser.

Plus, you can now annotate your PDFs; there's highlighting, copying sections of text, underlining, and integrated Cortana AI (Microsoft's competitor to the Google Assistant and Apple's Siri). For example, you can highlight something and ask Cortana for more information. Cons Add-on support is still relatively limited: Edge currently has only 71 extensions available for the desktop version, which is a drop in the bucket compared to Chrome and Firefox, and no extensions for the mobile versions (though to be fair, the mobile version of Chrome does not have add-ons either). While raw numbers aren't everything, variety is important. If you want an add-on to download videos for offline viewing, Video Downloader Professional is the only game in town. There's one add-on for mouse gestures, none for taking screenshots or switching a site to a dark mode, and no official add-ons from Google for things like Gmail, Translate, or image searches. Microsoft has added a lot of the popular add-ons, but there are still some noticeable gaps.

Not available for Windows 7 or 8: According to the latest numbers from NetMarketShare, about 47 percent of Windows users are using Windows 7, while Windows 10 sits at 29 percent. Yet Edge is expanding to Android and iOS instead of older versions of Microsoft's own operating system, leaving hundreds of millions of already loyal customers untapped. Granted, Edge may be deeply connected to programming code that's specific to the latest version of Windows (the Android and iOS versions are based on code from Google and Apple, respectively), but it's not good optics, and it effectively shepherds hundreds of millions of users into alternative ecosystems where they'll be difficult to win back. Edge doesn't compete with Chrome or Firefox at the level where it could be a carrot to entice users to upgrade to a new OS, so this just looks like a missed opportunity to win over people who are already inclined to check out their offerings. Bottom Line Edge still suffers in the add-on department, and its continued absence in Windows 7 and 8 is a puzzler.

But it provides a very smooth browsing experience in Windows 10, Android, and iOS; its modest add-on collection includes a lot of popular tools and services; and getting on iOS and Android is a big step forward for users who prefer the Microsoft ecosystem over Google's and Apple's.