Microsoft Edge Tips and Tricks: Better Browsing in Windows 10

Many things about Windows 10 shocked industry professionals all over the world. The Free Windows 10 Upgrade Offer has definitely caught the eye. So was Microsoft’s decision to bring back the Start Menu. For long-time internet users, none of them come close to Microsoft’s decision to freeze Internet Explorer in time and create Microsoft Edge.

Included in every Windows 10 PC, whether upgraded from an older operating system or purchased while the operating system is already running, Microsoft Edge is the direct successor to Internet Explorer. It looks like teams within the company have finally thrown in the towel after years of developing Internet Explorer with almost no return on the number of people choosing to use it.

Unlike Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge is designed for modern Windows users. It is mouse friendly, but also touch friendly. The company has even added cool things that users can do like take notes with digital pens. A modern engine allows it to render the web the same way Google Chrome and Firefox do. Cortana personal assistant also lives in the browser, offering tips and shopping discounts when needed. A new browser packed with all this new stuff means there’s a lot to learn.

Here are 7 Microsoft Edge tips and tricks. Mastering these will make your time spent browsing Windows 10’s new default web experience much more enjoyable.

Microsoft Edge Tips and Tricks: Taking Notes with a Pen

When Edge came out, one of the things Microsoft hoped to get users excited about was the browser’s note-taking capabilities. Users with a pen device can draw all over their favorite websites, then share their creations with OneNote or a friend. To do this, simply tap or click the little text icon one space away from the right edge of your screen.

While it takes some getting used to, it’s a great way to share pages and information in emails.

Microsoft Edge Tips and Tricks: Earn Rewards Points Just by Browsing

You can collect Microsoft Rewards points for using Microsoft Edge to search with Bing and browse your favorite websites. Just sign up for Microsoft Rewards here.

Points can be redeemed for gift cards, sweepstakes entries, and Microsoft Store credit.

Microsoft Edge Tips and Tricks: Add Extensions from the Windows Store

When building a new browser, you need to be ready from day one with features other browsers people deem necessary. Not starting with extensions was a huge missed opportunity for Microsoft, and it wasn’t going to let industry and casual users forget. They arrived at the end of last summer.

Extensions allow you to block ads, analyze web pages for issues, save your favorite stories, and add custom buttons to the Microsoft Edge experience. Edge extensions can be downloaded directly from: Windows Store.

Microsoft Edge Tips and Tricks: Using the Share Charm

If you look carefully at your Microsoft Edge window, you may notice an icon with multiple circles in it. This is Sharing Charm and allows you to share your favorite websites and links.

Simply tap on the Share Charm and you will get a list of installed apps that can do something with that link. For example, Cortana can remind you to look at that web page later. Pocket will do the same, but sync this connection to your iPhone or Android device. Twitter and Facebook both integrate with Share Charm.

Microsoft Edge Tips and Tricks: Disable News Feed

Microsoft Edge does not default to Bing Search and does not take you to MSN.com. Instead, every new browser window and new tab opens into something Microsoft calls its News Feed. Essentially these are articles directly from MSN for your enjoyment.

News Feed can be very annoying, especially when it keeps spreading stories you don’t care about. To close.

Click the three dots in the upper right corner of Microsoft Edge. Next, tap or click Settings. Inside the settings, look for a drop-down menu labeled “Open New Tabs With”. Change this to Top Sites or Blank Page.

Microsoft Edge Tips and Tricks: Importing Your Favorites

Don’t lose your favorites in Internet Explorer or Chrome. You can add them to Microsoft Edge using the importer. Tap or click . Choose next. Select In this menu, all the browsers installed on your machine should be listed. To add your favorites to Edge’s favourites, you select the corresponding control.

Microsoft Edge Tips and Tricks: Going Back to Internet Explorer

Microsoft hopes that you will never come back to Internet Explorer again. Occasionally, you will encounter websites that do not work in Edge. When you do, tap or click on it and select .

Good luck using Microsoft Edge.