How to Use the Windows 11 Microsoft Edge Features

Unlocking the Power of Microsoft Edge: A Windows 11 Guide

Hey there, tech enthusiasts! Ever feel like you're only scratching the surface of what your Windows 11 machine canreallydo? We've all been there. You've got this sleek, modern operating system, and probably spend most of your time browsing the web, checking emails, and maybe binge-watching your favorite shows. But what about those hidden gems, those little features that can actually make your digital life easier and more efficient? We're talking about Microsoft Edge, the browser that comes baked right into Windows

11. Now, I know what you might be thinking: "Edge? Really?" I get it. It's had a reputation. But trust me, the new Edge is a whole different beast, and it's packed with features that you might actually…dare I say it…love!

Think of it this way: you've got a state-of-the-art kitchen (Windows 11), but you're only using the microwave and the coffee maker. You're missing out on the gourmet meals you could be whipping up with the oven, the blender, and all those fancy gadgets collecting dust in the cupboards. That's Edge in a nutshell. It's got so much potential, but most people just use it for the basics. And that’s a shame, because it's not the Internet Explorer days of old. Microsoft has worked really hard to bring Edge up to spec with its competitors. It isn’t perfect but it can do a lot of the things that matter to a lot of us on a daily basis.

So, why should you care? Well, for starters, Edge is deeply integrated with Windows 11, which means it can do things other browsers simply can't. It's optimized for performance, so it's snappier and more responsive. It's got built-in security features to keep you safe online. And it's constantly being updated with new and exciting features. Plus, since Microsoft has been leaning on AI as of late, there are some AI features too.

But the real magic happens when you start exploring those hidden features, the ones that can truly transform your browsing experience. Imagine being able to organize your research with dedicated collections, effortlessly translate entire web pages with a single click, or even earn rewards just for browsing the web. Sounds too good to be true? It's not. It's all possible with Microsoft Edge.

Now, I know what you're thinking: "Okay, you've convinced me. But where do I even start?" Don't worry, friends, I've got you covered. In this guide, we're going to take a deep dive into the world of Microsoft Edge on Windows 11. We'll explore all the key features, from the basics to the advanced, and show you how to use them to their full potential. We'll cover everything from customizing your browsing experience to boosting your productivity to staying safe online. By the end of this article, you'll be an Edge power user, ready to take on the internet like a pro. So, buckle up and get ready to unlock the power of Microsoft Edge! Are you ready to discover the secrets hidden within your Windows 11 browser? Let's dive in!

How to Master Windows 11 Microsoft Edge Features

Alright, let's get down to business! We're going to explore the Microsoft Edge features and how you can use them like a pro. I promise, even if you’re a Chrome devotee, you might find a few things here that make you rethink your browser loyalty.

Getting Started with the Basics

1. Customizing Your New Tab Page: Make it Yours: Did you know you can completely transform your new tab page? Instead of the default Bing search and news feed (which, let’s be honest, isn’t always the most exciting), you can customize it with your favorite websites, a beautiful background image, or even a focused view for maximum productivity. Just click the gear icon in the top-right corner of the new tab page and choose your preferred layout. You can set it for inspirational, informational, focused, or custom.

For example, I like to put my most visited websites on there like Google Drive, my calendar, and some of my social media pages. So anytime I open a new tab I have quick access to these. It is a great way to save time. It is really just a quick quality of life improvement.

1. Mastering Tab Management: Conquer the Chaos: Are you the type of person who ends up with a million tabs open? Yeah, me too. Edge has some fantastic tab management features to help you stay organized.
   • Tab Groups: Group similar tabs together and give them a name and color. For example, if you're researching a project, you can group all the related tabs into a "Project Research" group. Right click on a tab and select "Add tab to new group".
   • Vertical Tabs: Move your tabs to the side of the screen for a cleaner, more spacious view. This is especially useful on widescreen monitors. Click the "Turn on vertical tabs" button at the top left of the browser window.
   • Sleeping Tabs: Edge automatically puts inactive tabs to sleep, freeing up system resources and improving performance. You can adjust the sleep settings in Edge's settings menu.

I find the tab groups really helpful when I am researching new topics. I am guilty of having a ton of tabs open, so this feature helps reduce the amount of clutter that I typically have. It is easy to start and easy to use!

Diving into Advanced Features

1. Collections: Your Digital Scrapbook: Collections is like a digital scrapbook where you can save articles, images, and notes related to a specific topic. It's perfect for research, planning a trip, or even just collecting inspiration. To start a collection, click the "Collections" icon in the toolbar (it looks like a plus sign with a square around it) and then "Start new collection".

I actually use collections when I am planning trips. I will put hotel information, flight information, and other reservations into a collection. This way I can easily access everything about a particular trip in one place. I recommend trying this out for you next vacation, it is super helpful!

1. Immersive Reader: Escape the Clutter: The Immersive Reader is a game-changer for anyone who struggles with reading online. It removes distractions, adjusts text size and spacing, and even reads the text aloud. To activate it, look for the "Enter Immersive Reader" icon (it looks like a book) in the address bar when you're on an article or webpage.

This is great if you have a hard time reading things on a computer screen. You can also adjust the font and the color so that it is easy for you to read. A lot of people do not even realize that Edge has this feature but it can be a great quality of life improvement.

1. Web Capture: Snip and Share with Ease: Need to grab a screenshot of a webpage? Edge's Web Capture tool makes it easy to capture a full page or just a selected area, and then annotate it with notes and highlights. Just press Ctrl+Shift+S to open the Web Capture tool.

This is super useful if you want to send somebody a portion of a webpage. It beats having to screenshot the whole page and then crop it. Plus you can add notes and highlights. This is a great way to quickly send someone a picture of something with some notes or highlights that you think they should focus on.

1. Edge's Built-in VPN: Protect Your Privacy: Edge Secure Network, powered by Cloudflare, encrypts your internet traffic to help protect your online activity from prying eyes. This is not a full-fledged VPN, but more like a proxy to protect your privacy when using unsecured connections. You can turn this feature on or off through the browser settings.

VPNs are super popular these days because people are more concerned about privacy. While this isn’t a replacement for a real VPN, it can be useful when using an unsecure connection. For example, I will sometimes turn it on when I am at a coffee shop.

1. Microsoft Rewards: Get Paid to Browse: Believe it or not, you can actually earn rewards just for browsing the web with Edge. By signing up for Microsoft Rewards, you can earn points for searching with Bing, completing quizzes, and shopping online. You can then redeem those points for gift cards, sweepstakes entries, and more. It's not going to make you rich, but it's a nice little perk.

I am not saying you are going to get rich using this feature but free gift cards are free gift cards! It takes very little effort so you might as well get something for your browsing habits. I usually redeem my points for Amazon gift cards.

1. Password Manager: Streamline Your Logins: Edge has a built-in password manager that securely stores your passwords and automatically fills them in when you visit a website. It can also generate strong, unique passwords for you. To access the password manager, go to "Settings" > "Profiles" > "Passwords".

I recommend using a password manager of some kind. Password reuse is a big problem and using a password manager can help mitigate that. Using a built in password manager is a good start if you don’t have one already. It is better than using the same password everywhere!

Making Edge Your Own

1. Extensions: Supercharge Your Browser: Like Chrome, Edge supports extensions that can add all sorts of functionality to your browser. You can find extensions in the Microsoft Store. Some popular extensions include ad blockers, password managers, and productivity tools.
2. Profiles: Separate Your Worlds: If you share your computer with others, or if you want to keep your work and personal browsing separate, you can create multiple profiles in Edge. Each profile has its own settings, bookmarks, and history. To create a new profile, click on your profile picture in the top-right corner of the browser and select "Add profile".

Profiles are another way to keep your personal and work things separate. It prevents bleed over between the two. It also helps you from accidentally going to the wrong account when working. It is a great way to keep everything partitioned.

Staying Safe and Secure

1. Tracking Prevention: Block the Trackers: Edge has built-in tracking prevention that helps protect your privacy by blocking trackers from following you around the web. You can choose from three levels of tracking prevention: Basic, Balanced, and Strict. You can configure this option in the settings.
2. Smart Screen Filter: Avoid Phishing and Malware: Edge's Smart Screen Filter helps protect you from phishing scams and malware by warning you about suspicious websites and downloads. Make sure Smart Screen Filter is enabled in Edge's security settings.

Real-World Examples and Case Studies

Let’s look at some concrete examples of how these features can make a difference in your daily life.

1. The Student's Research Assistant: Imagine you're a student researching a paper on the history of the internet. You can use Collections to gather articles, images, and quotes from various websites. The Immersive Reader can help you focus on the text and reduce eye strain, and the Web Capture tool can help you grab snippets of information for your notes.

2. The Traveler's Itinerary Planner: Planning a trip to Europe? Use Collections to gather information about hotels, flights, and attractions. Translate websites with ease using Edge's built-in translation feature, and use the password manager to securely store your booking information.

3. The Entrepreneur's Productivity Booster: As an entrepreneur, time is money. Use tab groups to organize your projects, extensions to boost your productivity, and Microsoft Rewards to earn rewards for your online activities. The built-in VPN will give you the added safety of using public Wifi if you're ever in a situation where you need to use it.

FAQ: Microsoft Edge on Windows 11

Got questions? We've got answers! Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about using Microsoft Edge on Windows 11:

Q: Is Microsoft Edge really better than Chrome?

A: It depends on your needs and preferences. Edge is often faster and more efficient than Chrome, especially on Windows 11. It also has some unique features like Collections and Immersive Reader. However, Chrome has a wider selection of extensions and a more established ecosystem.

Q: How do I import my bookmarks and settings from Chrome to Edge?

A: It's easy! Just go to "Settings" > "Profiles" > "Import browser data" and select Chrome as the browser you want to import from.

Q: Does Microsoft Edge support extensions from the Chrome Web Store?

A: Yes, Edge supports extensions from the Chrome Web Store. Just enable the "Allow extensions from other stores" option in Edge's extensions settings.

Q: How do I update Microsoft Edge?

A: Edge typically updates automatically in the background. However, you can manually check for updates by going to "Settings" > "About Microsoft Edge".

Conclusion: Embrace the Edge!

So, there you have it, friends! We've explored the exciting world of Microsoft Edge on Windows 11, from the basics to the advanced features. We've seen how Edge can help you stay organized, boost your productivity, and stay safe online. We've also answered some of the most common questions about using Edge.

Now it's your turn to take action! I encourage you to start exploring the features we've discussed today. Customize your new tab page, create a collection, try out the Immersive Reader, and see how Edge can transform your browsing experience. Give Edge a chance, and you might be surprised at how much you like it. Experiment with different features, download some extensions, and make Edge your own. The more you use it, the more you'll discover its potential.

The world of technology is constantly evolving, and Microsoft Edge is no exception. Keep an eye out for new features and updates, and don't be afraid to try new things. The internet is a vast and ever-changing place, and having the right tools can make all the difference. Embrace the Edge, and you'll be well-equipped to navigate the digital landscape with confidence and ease. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and unlock the power of Microsoft Edge! Are you ready to make Edge your go-to browser?