In recent times, Microsoft’s Edge browser has been going through a metamorphosis, with an increase in popularity among users. This is mainly due to Google’s influence, which has caused many skeptics to become enthusiasts, resulting in a gradual shift from Google Chrome to Edge.
The reason for this switch is that Edge and Chrome now share the same underlying technology known as Chromium. This similarity makes the transition to Edge an easy and seamless one, with the most basic functions and even the same extensions available for use.
In addition, Edge outperforms Chrome in terms of web browsing benchmarks and hardware usage. Chrome is notorious for consuming large amounts of resources like RAM, unlike Edge, which is more efficient and slimmer. However, its power consumption is still dependent on the number of tabs and extensions open.
Edge boasts a variety of unique features, including immersive reading mode, a built-in coupon finder, the ability to save research materials online with “collections,” and enhanced privacy settings. Though Edge has its peculiarities, such as unreliable site pinning to the taskbar, its benefits may outweigh the drawbacks, especially if you have an older device.
To explore Edge’s advanced features further, check out our list of the best tips and tricks. If you’re ready to switch from Chrome to Edge, we’ve got you covered with a comprehensive guide on how to migrate your data and try out this speedy alternative.
Open Edge and Import Your Data
If you’re looking to avoid starting from scratch, I have a suggestion: transfer all of your Chrome data to Edge, which will allow you to pick up right where you left off. The process is straightforward and simple. First, launch Edge and click on the three dots in the top right corner of the window. Then, select “Settings” from the dropdown menu. While the Edge settings menu differs slightly from Chrome’s, I find it to be more intuitive and user-friendly.
Next, navigate to the “Profiles” tab in the sidebar and click on the “Import Browser Data” button. From the drop-down menu, select “Google Chrome.” Once your profile is selected, you can choose which data you want to transfer. Your options include bookmarks, browsing history, relevant settings, open tabs, extensions, saved passwords, and credit card information. With these features, you’ll have a more streamlined transition to Edge and a much smoother browsing experience.
Set Edge as the Default Browser
Are you seeking ways to customize your new Microsoft Edge browser experience? Well, then look no further. Here are some simple steps to ensure that Edge is your default browser in Windows, and to switch your default search engine back to Google.
To make Edge your default browser, follow the steps below. Firstly, open your Windows Settings, choose the “Apps” option, and select “Default Apps.” Next, scroll down to the “Web Browser” option and select Microsoft Edge, but be sure to choose the blue and green wave icon that corresponds to the new Chromium-based Edge, not the old “E” logo.
By default, Edge uses Bing as its search engine when you search from the address bar. But what if you prefer Google as your search engine? No worries! Changing your default search engine back to Google is a breeze.
To do so, open Edge and navigate to Settings. Then, go to Privacy, Search, and Services, followed by Address Bar and Search. Finally, change the “Search Engine Used in the Address Bar” option to Google.
It’s important to note that the data migration tool does not bring over custom search engines and keywords from Chrome. But, if you use custom keywords for searching specific sites, you can click on “Manage Search Engines” and manually re-add your custom engines. The URL syntax is identical to Chrome, so you can simply copy and paste the most crucial ones from your Chrome settings.
So, there you have it! With these simple steps, you can customize your new Edge browser to fit your needs, and make your transition from Chrome to Edge as seamless as possible.
Turn On Extra Features
Unlocking the full potential of Microsoft Edge requires more than just migrating your data from Google Chrome. While Edge and Chrome share similarities due to their use of Chromium technology, there are still numerous features and settings to explore.
One feature to consider enabling is Startup Boost, which keeps Edge running in the background, ensuring a swift launch when you return to browsing. You can access this feature by navigating to Settings > System. Additionally, you can customize your browsing experience by adjusting Tracking Prevention and enabling Do Not Track from the Privacy, Search, and Services settings.
But the unique features of Edge go beyond these basic settings. For example, you can enjoy vertical tabs, a customizable home page, and a sleeping tabs feature that suspends inactive pages to save resources. Don’t forget to explore the exclusive features, such as the immersive reader and collections page, for an even more satisfying browsing experience.
So, by all means, migrate your data and continue browsing as you would with Chrome. However, if you’re looking for a more fulfilling browsing experience, it’s worth taking the time to delve into the many features and settings of Microsoft Edge.
Sync Your Settings Across Devices
Are you feeling disillusioned with the once-favored Google Chrome and considering jumping ship to Microsoft’s Edge? Don’t worry, making the transition is easier than you think! Firstly, start by importing your Chrome data to Edge so you can continue your browsing where you left off. Head over to Edge’s Settings menu by clicking on the three dots in the upper-right corner, go to the Profiles tab, click Import Browser Data, choose Google Chrome from the drop-down menu, pick your profile, and select all the data you want to import, including bookmarks, browsing history, settings, open tabs, extensions, saved passwords, and credit cards.
To make Edge your default browser, go to Windows Settings, select “Apps,” choose “Default Apps,” scroll down to the “Web Browser” option, and choose Microsoft Edge with the blue and green wave icon that corresponds to the new Chromium-based Edge, not the old “E” logo.
Edge comes with Bing as its default search engine, but you can easily switch it to Google. Go to Settings > Privacy, Search and Services > Address Bar and Search, and change the Search Engine Used in the Address Bar to Google. If you use custom keywords for searching specific sites, you’ll need to re-add them manually, but the URL syntax is the same as Chrome.
Want to make the most of Edge? Explore its other features, such as Startup Boost, Tracking Prevention, and Sleeping Tabs. Edge’s exclusive vertical tabs, the customizable home page, and immersive reading mode and collections page are also worth checking out.
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If you love Edge, you can sync your settings and data across your devices. Simply go to Settings > Profiles > Sync, and turn on everything you want to transfer. If you sign in with your Microsoft account on other Windows machines, your data should sync automatically. Edge is also available for download on macOS, iOS, and Android. If you’re using Chrome on other devices, try using xBrowserSync, an open-source extension and mobile app that syncs bookmarks across browsers. Although xBrowserSync cannot sync history and open tabs yet, it’s something that may be added to future versions.
