Microsoft’s Efforts to Speed Up Edge Browser

Microsoft has taken a proactive approach to addressing the issue of browser bloat by focusing on speeding up its Edge browser. Rather than sacrificing features, the company is working to enhance the responsiveness of Edge’s user interface. One of the key improvements is the optimization of the Browser Essentials menu, which now loads 42 percent faster. This significant improvement is attributed to a WebUI 2.0 architecture migration.

In a demonstration comparing the loading times of the Browser Essentials menu on WebUI 2.0 versus React and WebUI with Javascript, Microsoft highlighted the superior speed of the new architecture. According to Microsoft, the menu loads 76 percent faster on devices lacking an SSD or with less than 8GB of RAM. Additionally, Edge’s favorites menu is set to receive a 40 percent speed boost in build 124, with plans to extend the WebUI 2.0 upgrade to the browser’s history, downloads, and wallet features.

One of the driving forces behind the development of WebUI 2.0 was the recognition that many of Edge’s components utilized excessively large code bundles. By transitioning to a more streamlined and modular architecture, Microsoft has successfully minimized these code bundles. The company explained that WebUI 2.0 leverages a repository of web components optimized for modern web engines, resulting in improved performance.

While users who favor Edge may appreciate the speed enhancements brought about by WebUI 2.0, some have voiced concerns about the abundance of tools and features integrated into the browser. Microsoft’s Copilot integration and the multitude of sidebar tools have led to a somewhat cluttered user experience. To maintain the smoothness that Edge users have come to expect, it may be necessary for Microsoft to reassess the need for certain features and streamline the overall user interface.

By prioritizing performance improvements and adopting a more efficient architecture with WebUI 2.0, Microsoft is demonstrating its commitment to enhancing the user experience of the Edge browser. As the company continues to optimize key features and streamline its interface, Edge users can look forward to a faster and more responsive browsing experience.