Microsoft's web browser continues to evolve with significant performance enhancements that might make users think twice before immediately downloading Chrome or Firefox. The company has announced substantial speed improvements in recent versions of Edge, demonstrating its commitment to creating a more competitive browsing experience.
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| Microsoft Edge's commitment to improved web browsing performance |
Performance Gains in Edge 134
Microsoft recently revealed that Edge 134, released last month, delivers notable performance improvements over previous versions. According to the company's field telemetry data, which represents real-world web usage across various hardware configurations and websites, Edge 134 renders web pages up to 9% faster when measured with the Speedometer 3.0 benchmark. This improvement isn't just visible in synthetic tests but translates to tangible benefits for everyday users, with 1.7% faster navigation times, 2% quicker startup times, and 5-7% better web page responsiveness compared to Edge 133.
Benchmark Results Show Consistent Progress
The performance trajectory for Microsoft Edge has been steadily climbing across recent releases. When tested on a Windows 11 system powered by an Intel Core i5-13500 CPU, Edge 134 achieved a score of 32.7 on the Speedometer 3.0 benchmark. This represents a significant jump from Edge 133's score of 29.6 and Edge 132's score of 28.8. These benchmark improvements reflect Microsoft's ongoing optimization efforts for both Edge and the underlying Chromium engine that powers it.
Under the Hood Improvements
While Microsoft hasn't detailed the specific code changes responsible for these performance gains, the company attributes the improvements to optimizations made to both Edge and the Chromium engine. These enhancements are part of Microsoft's continuing efforts to make Edge faster and more responsive across both Windows and macOS platforms. The company acknowledges that actual performance will vary depending on factors like device hardware, background applications, and individual browsing habits.
Beyond Speed: New Features in Edge 134
Performance isn't the only area where Edge has seen improvements. Edge 134 also introduced several new features, including an AI-powered 'Scareware Blocker' currently in beta. This security feature is designed to identify pages that attempt to deceive users into believing their device is infected with malware. Other additions include a Root Certificate Store update, the ability to open links from Teams on macOS, and various improvements to the Settings page.
Edge 135 Already Available
It's worth noting that Edge 135 has already been released, though Microsoft only acknowledged the performance gains in version 134 recently. Users who keep their browsers regularly updated may have already been experiencing these speed improvements for over a month. Independent testing suggests that Edge continues to perform competitively against other browsers like Chrome and Safari, though results vary depending on hardware configuration and installed extensions.
User Feedback Encouraged
Microsoft is actively seeking user feedback on these performance improvements. Users can share their experience by navigating to Settings > More > Help > Feedback within the browser. As Microsoft continues to refine Edge, these real-world insights will help shape future optimizations and features.