Although Microsoft Edge is available as a built-in browser with Windows, it is not as widely used or popular as Chrome. However, Microsoft has been continuously improving Edge with exciting new features to help users increase their productivity and collaboration.
Check out the built-in Microsoft Edge tools below to help you stay organized and make the most of your online time by boosting productivity.
1. Collections
Collections in Microsoft Edge are usefulfor storing information as you browse it rather than opening another application such as OneNote or Evernote. Right in your Edge browser, you can save and organize anything from the web, including text, photos, and videos. Collections also allow you to add notes, create lists, and type reminders.
You can add content to your Collections in multiple ways, by using the hover menu on images and videos, the “right-click” context menu, or theCollectionsiconin the browser toolbar. Collections also sync across all of your signed-in devices, including your phone, allowing you to access your saved information from any device.
2. Tab Groups And Pinning
Tab groups in Microsoft Edge help you organize your tabs into groups. you may group related websites and assign them a name and a color to help you easily navigate and stay focused. To create tab groups, simply right-click on a tab or multiple tabs and selectAdd tab to the new groupoption.
When you need more space in the browser, just click on the tap group name to collapse or expand it. You can also pin specific tabs to the browser that you use regularly. Right-click on an open tab and select thePin taboption to have it load automatically when you open your browser.
3. Split Screen
If you are looking to increase your productivity and multitask more efficiently,the Split Screen feature in Microsoft Edgeis an excellent option. It allows you to work on multiple tasks at the same time across two side-by-side website screens in one browsing tab. To split the Edge browser window, select theSplit Screen iconfrom the browser toolbar.
You can also right-click on a webpage link and select theOpen link in split screen windowoption. This splits the active tab in half and loads the link on the other half of the screen. You can quickly open, compare, or switch sites in Split Screen mode by dragging a link between the two screens. You can also adjust the size of your split screens using the slider in between them.
4. Vertical Tabs
Microsoft Edge provides Vertical Tabs features to help you stay organized, see more on your screen, and manage tabs from the left side of your screen. To activate vertical tabs, click on theTab actions menuin the top-left corner and selectTurn on vertical tabs, or right-click on the browser window and selectTurn on vertical tabs.
The site icons and names are longer in vertical tabs mode, making it easier to scan, recognize, and navigate to the relevant tab quickly. If you need more screen space, you can collapse the side pane on the left by selecting theCollapse panoption and expand the tab pane by hovering over it. You can alsoremove vertical tabs title barto increase screen space.
5. Workspaces
Workspaces allow users to browse the web in a shared browser window with their friends and family with the goal of working together. Each workspace has its own set of tabs and favorites that you and your collaborators have created and picked. To get started with Workspaces, click theWorkspaces menuiconin the top-left corner of your browser window.
TheWorkspaces menuin the top-left corner allows you to create, edit, or delete specific workspaces. you’re able to also invite up to five collaborators to browse in your workspace with you. To invite others to your workspace, go to theInviteicon, copy the link, and share it over through your preferred communication channel.
6. Bing Image Creator
Microsoft Edge is the first and only browser with an integrated AI-powered image generator. This feature will help you generate AI images that don’t yet exist, powered by the very latest DALL-E models from OpenAI, right from the browser sidebar.
First, you need to enable the Bing Image Creator in the Edge sidebar by clicking thePlus iconand turning on the toggle key forImage Creator. To use it, simply select theImage Creatoricon in the sidebar and create your image by entering your text prompt.
Once an image is created, select that image to see your options toShare, orAdd to Collections, orDownload. The tool is accessible to anyone with a Microsoft account who can turn their ideas into images.
If you need to constantly share files and content across your mobile and desktop devices, then Drop in Microsoft Edge makes it incredibly easy. However, you need to install the Microsoft Edge app on your smartphone and sign in to your Microsoft account.
To use Drop on your desktop, simply click theDrop iconin the Edge sidebar, then select theplus iconor drag-and-drop to add your content such as images or documents. you’re able to also send notes or reminders as messages to yourself.
To open Drop on your mobile, click thethree-dot more menuand selectDropfrom the menu. Drop uses OneDrive with your Microsoft account to securely store your files, and you can access them all in the Microsoft Edge Drop Files folder.
8. Bing Chat
One of the most essential aspects of the Microsoft Edge browser is the AI-powered Bing Chat. With the new Bing integrated intothe Microsoft Edge sidebar, you can access Bing Chat by selecting theBing Chatblue button in the top-right corner of the browser toolbar.Bing Chatis one of three tabs in the sidebar, along withComposeandInsights.
TheChatin the Edge sidebar offers all of the search and creative possibilities of Bing Chat and more. Bing Chat can perform searches and answer questions about the page you are currently browsing if thePage contextoption in theChat settingsis activated.
Additionally, you get complete answers to complex queries, summary facts, and ideas to build on in the same window without jumping through tabs.
When it comes to focusing and absorbing the content, some people find that reading and listening together can be really helpful. As a result,Microsoft Edge includes a simple yet powerful Read Aloud featurethat reads the text of a webpage directly.
To activate the feature, click on thethree dots settingsmenu and select theRead aloudoption, or click on theRead aloud iconin the browser’s address bar. TheVoice optionsbutton in the toolbar allows you to modify the speed of the speech and also select a new voice.
Read Aloud is available in both online and offline modes, however, only a few voice options are available while offline.
10. Translate
Microsoft Edge includes a built-in Translatorthat can easily and automatically translate websites on both the desktop and mobile app. You can select a language from a list of over 70 supported by the Edge translator.
When you open a webpage in a language that is not one of your preferred languages, Edge will automatically prompt you to translate it. Additionally, you can also click theTranslate iconappearing in the address bar.
You can also configure Microsoft Edge to automatically translate pages in a specific language. When you visit a page in a foreign language, just selectAlways Translatefrom theMoredropdown menu of theTranslatepop-up.
11. Immersive Reader
Microsoft Edge’s Immersive Reader simplifies content on web pages to help you focus and absorb information online. When enabled, the feature removes online clutter such as ads and site navigation, and modifies pages to meet your reading preferences, allowing you to focus on your reading.
You can also read content in other languages by selecting theTranslatetool from theReading Preferencestab, which supports over 70 languages. In addition, under theText Preferencestab, you can change theText size,Text spacing,Font, andPage themeof web pages. TheRead Aloudfeature is also available within the Immersive Reader.
12. PDF Reader and Editor
Microsoft Edge features a handy built-in PDF reader and editor that allows you to read and tweak PDF files right in the browser. You can use Edge to view PDF files and perform some basic editing. You can also make Microsoft Edge the default PDF viewer on your Windows device.
Microsoft Edge’s built-in PDF editorincludes some basic editing tools such asAdd text,Draw,Highlight, andErase. you’re able to even useRead Aloudfrom the PDF toolbar to listen to the entire document or a selection of text using natural voices. From the PDF toolbar, you can also save a copy of the PDF with your highlights and annotations.
Improve Your Productivity With Microsoft Edge’s Built-In Features
Microsoft Edge is a highly underrated browser that comes with plenty of useful features to enhance your browsing experience. Using these tools, you can organize, streamline, and collaborate more effectively on both a professional and a personal front.
Microsoft Edge, like Chrome, is based on the Chromium platform and provides significantly better performance and features. If you want to increase your productivity, these practical Microsoft Edge features will help you get more done.
