Microsoft Edge (Project Spartan)

Main article: Web browser

Microsoft Edge (Project Spartan) is a browser created to replace Internet Explorer.

Edge software became part of OCWindows 10 along with Internet Explorer.

On March 30, 2015, Spartan was declared as the default browser in Windows 10 Technical Preview build 10049.

Microsoft announced the preservation of both browsers as part of the OS, while Internet Explorer will not use the Spartan engine.

On April 29, 2015, the company announced that the browser, formerly known as Project Spartan, was named Microsoft Edge. Its logo is a modified blue E from Internet Explorer.

It is assumed that Microsoft Edge will replace Internet Explorer 11 and Internet Explorer Mobile on all devices where Windows 10 will be presented. Since Microsoft Edge tools do not support ActiveX plugins and others, an extension emulating the Internet Explorer engine has been added to the browser.

Subsequently, Microsoft decided to leave Internet Explorer, refusing to add its engine to Edge for better performance, but Explorer will stop updating and remain on the version that ships with Windows 8.1.

2023

Using Microsoft Edge WebView2 to create fake interfaces for cryptocurrency wallets

Kaspersogo Lab experts have discovered a multi-stage DoubleFinger bootloader that delivers the GreetingGhoul styler to users' computers in Europe, the United States and Latin America. The attack begins with the victim opening a malicious PIF attachment in an email, launching the first stage of the DoubleFinger bootloader. This became known on June 13, 2023. A feature of GreetingGhoul is the use of Microsoft Edge WebView2 to create fake overlays on top of legitimate cryptocurrency wallets. Read more here.

Adding AI-based capabilities to Microsoft Edge

Microsoft has released an updated version of the search engine Bing, which is equipped with AI. This became known on February 8, 2023. Users can test an updated search system based on ChatGPT by visiting the desktop version of the site Bing.com. All features work with limited functionality.

In addition to Bing, the Microsoft Edge browser will also receive additional AI-based features. It will now also have two smart modes: Chat and Essay. In the first case, you can ask the browser to compile a summary of the web page and answer questions about its content. The "Composition" mode will help to compile the text of any format and content: from emails to posts on social networks. It will work like this: the user indicates the topic of the message, chooses a tone (for example, moderate or enthusiastic), sets the length and receives the finished text^[1] publication^[2]. Read more here.

2022

Add a layer of protection against memory-related vulnerabilities

On August 8, 2022, it became known that the updated stable version of browser Microsoft Edge will be released in the coming days and will increase by safety default.

Starting from version 104.0.1293.47, Edge will include the "Basic" security level if the additional "Enhance your security on the web" mode is selected in the settings. This mode provides an additional layer of protection against memory vulnerabilities by disabling the JavaScript just-in-time (JIT) compile and including additional OS protection when browsing unfamiliar sites. After upgrading to the latest version of Microsoft Edge, the "Basic" security level will be enabled by default to apply protection measures only to sites that the user rarely visits^[3].

Protection against potential 0Day vulnerabilities

On January 18, 2022, it became known that Microsoft turned on zero-day vulnerability protection with the release of version 98.0.1108.23 in the Microsoft Edge beta channel.

The developers of the Microsoft Edge browser have added a feature to the beta testing channel designed to protect users from potential exploitation of zero-day vulnerabilities in real-world attacks. The feature is part of Microsoft Edge's Internet browsing security view.

"When enabled, the function provides hardware, stack protection Arbitrary Code Guard (ACG stream) and Content Flow Guard (CFG) protection to improve user security on the Internet," - explained the developers.

System administrators can apply politicians of EnhanceSecurityMode, EnhanceSecurityModeBypassListDomains, EnhanceSecurityModeEnforceListDomains on systems under management to protection of end users against exploits of zero day Windows, macOS and. Linux Policies will also ensure that important sites and business applications continue to operate properly.

In the release notes for the latest beta version of Microsoft Edge, Microsoft also mentions the addition of a custom master password, which will allow users to enter an additional authentication step before automatically filling in saved passwords in web forms.^[4]

2021

Adding Child Mode

On April 16, 2021, Microsoft introduced an updated version of the Microsoft Edge browser, the main change to which is Children Mode. The feature protects children from unwanted content on the Internet, ensures privacy, and more.

To switch the browser to children's mode, you need to go to your Edge account profile, select "View in children's mode" and specify the age group from 5 to 8 years, or from 9 to 12 years. Both age groups adhere to the strictest level of protection by default, prevent tracking by blocking most trackers to ensure privacy and minimal personalized advertising. In addition, text, images and videos that do not match the age category will be removed from online search results.

A feature of the mode for the older age range (9-12) is the corresponding news feed on the page of a new tab with specially selected articles from MSN for children, which are devoted to animals, science, interesting facts, etc.

By default, about 70 children's sites are available in children's mode for April 2021, but users can easily set up their own list. If a child tries to go to a site outside of this permitted list, they will be greeted by a special block page prompting them to ask their parents for permission.

The developers also made sure to tailor the children's mode interface to suit the younger generation's preferences. In browser addition, custom Disney and Pixar themes were developed specifically for children's mode based on the animated films Cold, heart The Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, Cars, Toy Story, and The Secret of Coco. Other themes will be developed in partnership with Disney in the coming months.

Microsoft Edge browser will warn users about "leaked" passwords

The Microsoft Edge browser will warn users about "leaked" passwords. This became known on January 4, 2020.

The function of checking whether user logins and passwords have been stolen will appear in the Microsoft Edge browser after its update, which is scheduled for release in January 2021.

The browser will constantly check information with databases of information about declassified logins and passwords. Constant password monitoring will allow users to receive information if activities by cyber fraudsters are detected. Following this, device owners will receive advice to change sensitive data to maintain a high level of security. Passwords in this case must be synchronized with a Microsoft account.

The updated release of Microsoft Edge 88, based on the Chromium 88, will introduce vertical navigation between open tabs and advanced functionality for working with PDF files.

In addition, Microsoft is working to improve its anti-spam mechanism. The protection present in Chromium, according to Microsoft employee Eric Lawrence, may not work correctly and block access to some URLs. Therefore, the company hopes to improve this mechanism^[5]

2020

Windows 10 update enforces Chromium-based Edge

Microsoft has been promoting its browser Edge on the base Chromium since June 2020, but the latest update from the company unexpectedly installed it on even more systems. This became known on September 16, 2020. The KB4576754 update forcibly installs the updated Edge on versions Windows 10 2004, 1909, 1903 and 1809 and removes the old Edge-based Edge. HTML More. here

Microsoft Edge allows certificates signed with SHA-1

Microsoft published a basic security plan for the Microsoft Edge browser, and one of the rules is entitled "Allow certificates signed using SHA-1 when issued by local trust anchors." This became known on September 1, 2020.

The source recalled that the US National Institute of Standards and Technology dropped SHA-1 in 2011, and Microsoft removed it from its Internet Explorer and Edge browsers in 2017. This decision was made due to the fact that the hashing algorithm was susceptible to collision attacks that allowed the creation of replicas.

Microsoft Edge by default prohibits certificates signed using SHA-1, and the underlying security layer ensures that businesses understand that resolving SHA-1 chains is not a secure configuration. If you need to use the SHA-1 chain to be compatible with existing applications that depend on it, you need to abandon this as soon as possible for the security of your organization, the company representatives explained.

In a version 92 Microsoft Edge scheduled for mid-2021, this setting will be removed and there will be no supported mechanism to allow SHA-1 after, even for certificates issued by private certification authorities.

A policy called "Define a list of protocols that can run an external application from the listed sources without user request" was also added, allowing users to always allow browsers to run local applications^[6].

Microsoft announced the end of support for the classic Edge and IE 11

Microsoft published a schedule in August to end support for Internet Explorer 11 and Edge browsers (a version based on the company's own engine).

The entire process will be carried out in stages: from November 30, 2020, IE 11 support will be discontinued in the Microsoft Teams service, after March 9, 2021, Microsoft will stop supplying updates for Edge (including security updates), and from August 17, 2021, many services such as Office 365, OneDrive, Outlook and others will completely stop working with IE 11.

However, the company will not completely abandon Internet Explorer 11, since the browser is a component of the Windows operating system and its support will be discontinued only with the end of the support period for the version of the OS on which it is installed.

The company noted that users will still be able to access sites specially developed for Internet Explorer until the tech giant stops supporting the browser in Windows 10.

Microsoft launched an updated version of Edge based on the Chromium engine in January, it was offered to download it manually from the website. In June, the company began distributing Edge through Windows Software Updates to Windows 10 users (builds 1803, 1809, 1903 and 1909). With the release of Windows 10 20H2, scheduled for fall, Edge will be included with Windows 10. It is noted that the browser will support IE11 through Internet Explorer mode.

Vulnerability to bypass content protection policy

A vulnerability in browsers based on the Chromium engine allows attackers to bypass the content protection policy (Security Policy, CSP) on sites in order to steal data and inject malicious code. This became known on August 12, 2020. The problem is present in Chrome, Opera and Edge. Read more here.

Microsoft Edge Market Share for March 7.59%

On April 2, 2020, it became known that the Edge browser, released by Microsoft simultaneously with OCWindows 10, took second place in the global ranking of desktop browsers by the number of users. According to NetMarketShare statistics for March 2020, Edge's total share of the browser market was 7.59% (second place) versus 7.37% in February 2020 (third place) and 5.2% in March 2019 (fourth place). Read more here.

Add Protection against Potentially Unwanted Software

On February 28, 2020, it became known that Microsoft announced its intention to replace the classic Edge browser with an updated version for participants in the Release Preview internal testing program. When testing is complete, all users will receive the updated Edge, and corporate customers will be able to choose whether to switch to the browser or not.

In turn, the stable version of Edge has received an additional security feature that blocks downloads of programs that the Defender's SmartScreen feature Windows identified is potentially dangerous, harmful or problematic.

The protection function against potentially unwanted software will detect and block the download of such programs to the system. For example, Edge will block applications that inject ads, search engines, and more into the browser.

The appearance in Edge of the function of blocking potentially unwanted software became known when it was discovered in the beta version of the browser by participants in the internal testing program. The update is now available to all users in stable version Edge 80.0.338.0. By default, the feature is disabled. To enable it, go to Settings > Privacy and Services > Services^[7].

Updated Browser with Tracking Prevention Available

On January 15, 2020, Microsoft announced that the updated Microsoft Edge browser is available to Windows 10 and macOS users in more than 90 languages. The update also affects users of the mobile version of the browser on Android and iOS. Microsoft Edge, based on the Chromium open source project, has improved compatibility for all users, reduced fragmentation for web developers, and partnered with the Chromium community to improve the Chromium core itself.

The main innovations:

• The Prevent Tracking feature protects users from tracking while browsing websites. Some sites can monitor their visitors to provide personalized ads or share visit information with third-party resources. The updated Microsoft Edge offers a three-level tracking lock, the "Balanced" level will be activated by default, which will block known malicious trackers and some third-party trackers.
• Personalize the page with the updated tab. Browser beta participants had the opportunity to choose the layout, design and content of the tab. The final version of the browser added the ability to fine-tune the display of personalized news.
• Azure Active Directory Support - Enterprise Identity Management provides single sign-on and multi-factor authentication that protects users from 99.9% cyber attacks.
• Internet Explorer Mode is a simplified browser interface that provides compatibility with sites that require the Trident MSHTML handler to work. IE mode also supports ActiveX controls, document modes, and enterprise modes.
• 4K Streaming video support. Microsoft Edge is the first Chromium browser to support both WideVine PlayReady DRM technologies. This gives users the ability to watch streaming video on services such as Netflix native 4K resolution.
• Working with pen in PDF. All Windows 10 devices that support pen input will be able to leave notes and notes open in Microsoft Edge PDFs.
• Support for Chrome extensions will significantly improve browser functionality and give users access to hundreds of useful productivity tools.

There are two ways to get the updated Microsoft Edge:

• Download it yourself from the official website. By choosing this method, the user will automatically receive all updates that include updated functions and tools.
• Wait for the next Windows 10 update, which will automatically install the updated browser on the device. The deployment of Microsoft Edge through Windows Update will take place gradually to ensure a smooth and stable transition.

2019

Microsoft announced the date of complete abandonment of Flash

On September 3, 2019, it became known that Microsoft will completely end support for the Adobe Flash plugin in the Edge browser built on the Chromium platform in December 2020. The company decided to abandon Edge based on the EdgeHTML engine and create Edge on Chromium. The changes will take effect in the next version of the browser, so Microsoft has decided to share its plans to support Flash in the updated Edge.

According to Colleen Williams, senior software manager at Microsoft Edge, in its rejection of Flash, Microsoft intends to stick to the same schedule as other Chromium-based browsers. Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and other Chromium derivatives intend to end Flash support by the end of 2020. - at the same time that Adobe itself will stop supporting the player.

Flash will be removed from the updated Edge in several stages. First, the player will be disabled while maintaining the ability for users to enable it for each individual site and, by the end of next year, it will finally stop working in the browser.

At the same time, Microsoft changed plans to disable Flash support in the original Edge built on EdgeHTML and in Internet Explorer 11. Previously, the company intended to disable Flash in these browsers by default, keeping the user able to enable it himself. It was planned to do this in the second half of 2019. However, Microsoft abandoned the idea of ​ ​ modifying Flash support in these browsers in any way until December 2020, when it will be permanently disabled, without any preliminary stages. This date for the ultimate elimination of Flash in Edge on EdgeHTML and Internet Explorer 11 has appeared in Microsoft statements before.

As of September 2019, the original Microsoft Edge requests permission to start each Flash session, but the plugin is not disabled by default. In Internet Explorer 11, the player works without any restrictions.^[8]

Microsoft officially released the first preliminary version of Edge on the Chromium engine

On April 8, 2019, Microsoft released the first preview version of the updated Edge browser, which received the Chromium engine. It is at the heart of Google Chrome, Opera, Yandex.Browser and other browsers.

On this day, only English-language builds for 64-bit Windows 10 were released. In the future, versions for Windows 8, Windows 7 and macOS are expected to be released.

Microsoft warns that at the time of launch of the Canary and Dev versions, the program is at the testing stage, so errors are possible. In other words, it is not recommended to use a browser for normal operation.

Microsoft Edge with the Chromium engine can use extensions for. Chrome Through the Microsoft account, the browser supports synchronization of favorites, browsing history and previously installed plugins.

In addition, the updated web browser uses smooth scrolling of web pages, integration with the Windows Hello system and adapted work from the touch keyboard.

In its blog, Microsoft also mentioned some of the improvements it has already made to the Chromium project. For example, the company worked with Google engineers to make the browser run on laptops running Windows operating systems and Qualcomm processors. 

There have also been external changes. So. The new browser is branded Fluent Design, and in the future the developers promise the emergence of advanced tab settings and support for handwriting. ^[9]

The design of the new Edge is similar to the mixture of the old browser and Chrome. The user can choose from three appearance options for new tabs: "Inspiring" with a search string and a background image, "Focused" with a search string and a list of visited sites, or "Informational" with a search string and news feed. Microsoft Bing is used as the default search engine.

You can download the updated Microsoft Edge browser on the company's official website.^[10]

The beta version of the Edge browser has become freely available in China

On March 25, 2019, it became known that a beta version of the yet unannounced Edge browser, translated by Microsoft to the Chromium engine, appeared on the Internet in the public domain. The primary sources of the distribution were Chinese web resources, and Microsoft itself has not yet responded to its appearance on the Web.

Reportedly, the beta turned out to be completely working, but it does not yet implement all the functions expected in the final build, the release date of which has not been announced as of March 25, 2019. In the spring of 2019, Microsoft plans to release a global update to Windows 10 with the 19H1 index, and the redesigned Edge may be included with the updated Start menu and other innovations.

It is not recommended to install the Edge beta on your PC or laptop - third parties who are hardly directly related to Microsoft had a hand in distributing the distribution.

As expected, the updated Edge, which changed its own EdgeHTML engine to Chromium, is very similar to the Google Chrome browser, which experienced a large-scale redesign in 2015. This was hinted at by screenshots of an early version of the browser published in early March 2019, and since their appearance on the Web, the appearance of the application has not undergone much changes.

The design shows that Microsoft sought to do its bit here and there, but in general the Edge interface is very similar to Chrome. According to the portal The Verge, whose specialists risked launching the Edge beta, the browser runs quite tolerably under Windows 10, although it does not have a significant part of the planned capabilities.

The main advantages of Edge include the ability to install extensions from two stores at once - Microsoft Store and Google Store, for which in the menu for selecting these same extensions you will need to set the corresponding slider in the desired position. You use a Microsoft account to access. It is not yet known whether this feature will remain in a stable version of the browser.

The beta of the updated Edge already has a dark theme, but so far it is included in the list of experimental functions. However, it can already be tested, unlike the previously announced handwritten input using a stylus. Apparently, Microsoft saved this option before the final release.

In addition to the above, users can already import passwords and bookmarks from the old version of Edge or Chrome, and there is also the ability to choose the style of the tab page. In general, the logic of the Edge interface now resembles Chrome more, which, in theory, will allow users who prefer the Google browser to get used to Microsoft's creation without any difficulty.^[11]

2018

Transition to an open base like Yandex.Browser

On December 6, 2018, Microsoft officially announced a redesign of the Edge browser. Instead of the proprietary EdgeHTML engine, the company decided to use the Chromium open source project, which underlies Google Chrome, Vivaldi, Opera and Yandex.Browser.

Microsoft is making changes to improve compatibility and reduce fragmentation for developers, as well as to create a web browser for macOS.

Edge based on Chromium will be the first browser for operating system Apple - Internet Explorer for Mac last updated in June 2003, Mac Rumors notes.

The use of Chromium is expected to provide Microsoft's new browser with a number of obvious benefits, including expanding functionality, increasing stability and reducing system resource consumption.

Redesigning Edge looks like a logical step against the background of the weak popularity of this browser. Its share in November 2018 among web browsers for personal computers was only 4.2%, according to the NetMarketShare service, which tracks the activity of more than 160 million unique users browsing over 40 thousand websites.

The Chromium-based pre-release version of Edge is scheduled for early 2019. The release dates for the finished product and version for macOS are not named. It is known that the new browser will be available not only for Windows 10, as in the case of Edge on the EdgeHTML engine, but also for Windows 7 and Windows 8.

Ultimately, we want to improve web surfing opportunities for many different audiences, "says Microsoft Corporate Vice President and Windows Development Manager Joe Belfiore. - People using Microsoft Edge (and possibly other browsers) will have improved compatibility with all websites, while gaining the maximum possible battery life and hardware integration on all types of Windows hardware.[12]

Authentication without a password - by face and fingerprint

At the end of July 2018, Microsoft announced the inclusion of Web Authentication technology in Edge , which allowed authentication in a browser without a password - using a scanned face image, fingerprint, PIN code or key compatible with FIDO2 specifications.

According to the developers, the implemented method of checking the user is much safer and more reliable compared to standard passwords. The latter need to be remembered or recorded, they can be picked up by attackers, and if you use the same passwords on different sites, the risk of stealing a large amount of data increases.

The Web Authentication standard has found application in the version of Microsoft Edge released with the test build of Windows 10 under the number 17723. All Windows 10 users will be able to access the updated browser as part of a major operating system update, scheduled for release in autumn 2018.

Microsoft began testing web authentication without a password in 2016, but then this development was still at an early stage of its development. In April 2018, the W3C and FIDO Alliance announced a new authentication standard for browsers, an important stage in the formation and compatibility of the specification. 

Microsoft said that by the end of July 2018, Edge had implemented "the most complete support for Web Authentication with a wide range of authenticators compared to other browsers." Google and Mozilla introduced the technology to their web browsers in May 2018, but only as part of beta testing. The Safari browser does not provide such a function.

According to the NetMarketShare service, by July 2018, Edge accounts for about 4.23% of the global browser market, which is the fourth indicator.^[13]

2017

Release of final versions for iOS and Android

On December 1, 2017, the company Microsoft officially announced the release of the final commercial versions browser of Microsoft Edge for mobile devices running and. operating systems Apple iOS Google Android

Microsoft Edge has become cross-platform - with end-to-end settings on smartphones and PCs. Three languages are supported:

• English (United States, United Kingdom),
• Simplified Chinese (China)
• French (France).

Some features in the Edge version are based on user queries:

• Roaming Passwords option. It allows you to save the password on your smartphone and then use it in the desktop version of the browser,
• Dark Theme artwork. It is available in the mobile version of the browser.

Edge for Android is available on:

• English (USA, UK, India, Canada, Australia),
• French (France, Canada)
• Simplified Chinese (China).

There is no optimization for the iPhone X and iPad:

• the browser window on the iPhone X screen does not open to the full width and looks like a "box."
• for iPad, the browser is not optimized at all.

Additional markets and languages ​ ​ promised in MS Edge on iOS and Android, but no specific dates in Microsoft, on December 1, 2017, were announced^[14].

Browser view for iOS and Android, (2017)

Beta version for iOS and Android released

On October 6, 2017, Microsoft introduced a beta version of Microsoft Edge for iOS and Android.

Synchronization browser with tabs on a PC is not implemented in this version, but history viewing is available, the mobile version is available in English and does not support. Webkit and tablets Blink were used as engines^[15]

You can take part in testing the version for iOS through the TestFlight service, access to the version for Android will be opened later.

According to the company, the mobile Microsoft Edge will synchronize with the browser installed on the PC. On different devices, the browser will display the same bookmarks, tabs and history. In subsequent versions, the user will be able to continue working on the Internet on a mobile device from the place where he completed it on a PC.

Technical features

Microsoft Edge for iOS is based on the Webkit engine. It was created by Apple. The Android version was based on the Blink engine, borrowed from the Chromium project. The Windows 10 version of the browser is based on the EdgeHTML engine. Microsoft promised site developers the ability to track which version of the browser users access resources from.

The mobile version of Microsoft Edge has a Hub function - all materials of interest to the user are stored in a single center. The Hub View tool allows you to quickly navigate the accumulated material, Reading View makes it possible to assemble content on the page so as to focus on reading. The QR Code Reader function allows you to call the necessary data to the screen in one touch, there is also a voice search and privacy mode.

Browser for mobile platforms announced

On October 4, 2017, Microsoft announced plans to release a version of the Edge browser for Android and iOS by the end of 2017.

The company intends to make Edge cross-platform for synchronizing the browser on a mobile device with a PC, with the ability to transfer bookmarks, tabs, and history. Integration of mobile Edge with search engine Bing^[16].

The company plans to make it easier for Windows 10 users to transfer work from a PC to mobile devices and back.

Microsoft has abandoned the full development of its browser

Microsoft announced in October 2017 that it would continue to be cautious about introducing new extensions for its Edge browser. The messages were published amid growing criticism of Edge, which supports dozens of extensions, while one of its main competitors in the Google Chrome market allows thousands of add them^[17].

"We are extremely sensitive to the potential impact of extensions on the quality of your Internet experience and want to make sure that the extensions we include in Edge are truly high quality and trustworthy," says a post Microsoft posted on its blog.

Analysts note that the slow growth in the number of available extensions may actually be due to the fact that Microsoft engineers are struggling to assess their impact on Edge performance and security. Now the key available extensions remain AdBlock, Amazon Assistant, Office Online, LastPass, Pinterest Save Button and Grammarly.

The company says it will continue to concentrate on other areas of development. Among them - improving API and bookmarks, native messages. In this situation, Microsoft cannot win back any significant part of the market from competitors. According to various studies, Edge is used by no more than 6% of users. At the same time, Microsoft claims that the browser is now installed on 330 million active devices, which is twice as high as in April 2016.

2016

Using Edge is rewarded. IN THE UNITED STATES

On August 18, 2016, it became known about Microsoft's decision to reward Edge browser users - they can earn points using a browser to then spend them to purchase content or discounts on corporation products.

Microsoft named this program Microsoft Rewards (formerly Bing Rewards).

By entering the program, users can accumulate points and spend them on products, gift certificates at Microsoft retailers. The changes affected, first of all, Microsoft products, for the use of which points are awarded. The user's premium account will be replenished when buying applications from the Windows Store and products from the Microsoft Store^[18].

Users of any age received the right to take part in the program (previously there was a restriction - from 13 years old). The program is valid only in the United States.

The reason for including Edge in the loyalty program is simple: you need to increase your browser's market share. According to Net Applications, in July 2016, this browser occupied 5% of the global market compared to Chrome, whose share exceeds 50%.

Program members will earn points for each hour spent at Edge, but no more than 30 hours per month are counted. The company initiating the program did not specify how many points will be awarded per hour.

User levels

Microsoft Rewards has two user levels active - the first and second. All program participants can receive the second level for free until October 31, 2016. In the new program, each accumulated score under Bing Rewards will be equivalent to 10.

Other users will need to collect 500 points to reach the second level. The duration of the status is a month. 500 points is equivalent to 100 searches in Bing.

You can use your accumulated points to pay for almost any digital content purchased through the Windows Store. When the user reaches the second level, he will receive a discount of up to 10% on Microsoft products.

Microsoft Edge is the only browser that correctly shows online video

Journalists from the IT publication PCWorld said that the Microsoft Edge browser is the only one on the market capable of playing online videos of the popular Netflix service with a resolution of 1080p^[19].

The tests conducted by researchers from the PCWorld editorial office involved the most common browsers on the global market: Chrome, Firefox, Opera, as well as Microsoft Edge. All three participants in the experiment (excluding Microsoft Edge) were able to play a video stream with a resolution of no more than 720p. The tested brothers ran under Windows 10.

Microsoft's corporate blog responded to the PCWorld study, explaining the success of Microsoft Edge by the fact that its development "fully took into account" the video stream optimization tools built into Windows 10 and especially the built-in DRM (copy protection systems) tools.

Open Edge Source

On January 14, 2016, Microsoft published the source code of ChakraCore - the JavaScript engine of the Microsoft Edge^[20] browser^[20].

Microsoft has published on GitHub the source code for the main components of the Chakra JavaScript engine - ChakraCore. Allegedly, in the future, the development of key components of Chakra will be open.

The ChakraCore repository includes a completely working JavaScript engine, with characteristics similar to Chakra in the Edge browser.

In a blog post, the company said: "We will be accepting applications from ChakraCore contributors. After reviewing all the proposals, we intend to include the proposals in the JavaScript engine that underlies Microsoft Edge and the universal application platform in Windows 10. "

Project development

In addition to the ChakraCore code, the company has published a roadmap for the development of the project. With the source code available today, developers can use ChakraCore Windows 7 SP1 in or later versions Visual Studio 2013 from or 2015, subject to installed support. C++ Over time, users should be able to use the ChakraCore source code. Linux The first step towards this goal has already been taken. It consisted of a branch of the JIT compiler.

The Microsoft team plans to process Node.js contributor applications to ensure Node.js and ChakraCore are compatible.

The ChakraCore engine includes a parser, interpreter, JIT compiler, garbage collector and programming interfaces (APIs) for integrating Chakra into applications.

The full version of Chakra contains a component linking the JavaScript engine to the HTML Edge engine and a component linking it to the Universal Windows Platform. Both of these components are not part of ChakraCore.

Notes