Performance Enhancements Elevate Microsoft Edge Experience
In the ever-evolving landscape of web browsers, Microsoft Edge has taken significant strides forward with a series of updates aimed at bolstering its performance. Users of Edge may have noticed a more sprightly and responsive user interface (UI) in recent usage, a direct result of Microsoft’s commitment to enhancing the browsing experience.
With the arrival of Edge version 122, the UI’s responsiveness has seen a remarkable 42% increase in speed on various systems. This enhancement is even more pronounced for those using PCs with less than 8GB of RAM or without Solid State Drives (SSDs), who can now enjoy a 76% increase in UI speed. Such improvements are not just numbers but translate into a tangibly smoother and faster interaction with the browser.
Moreover, the time taken to expand or collapse items in the browser’s favorites section has been trimmed by 40% with the introduction of Edge version 124. This refinement ensures that managing bookmarks is no longer a sluggish chore but a quick and efficient process.
The momentum behind these performance gains has been attributed to two key factors. Firstly, Microsoft acknowledged that the UI code structure in Edge was overly complex and not sufficiently modular. This lack of modularity meant that different teams working on separate components were tied together by common code bundles, leading to unnecessary drag on the system. Secondly, the reliance on JavaScript for client-side rendering, a common practice that, while fostering dynamic UI experiences, also contributed to slower performance.
Addressing these issues head-on, Microsoft embarked on what they internally dubbed the WebUI 2.0 project. The project focuses on creating smaller, more independent bundles of code and minimizing the amount of JavaScript required to run. In a nod to the open-source community, Microsoft has expressed its intention to share some packages from this initiative publicly in the future.
But the journey doesn’t end here. Microsoft has hinted at further updates looming on the horizon, targeting responsiveness improvements across various other Edge features, including history, downloads, wallet, and more. Such continuous enhancements are part of Microsoft’s strategy to keep Edge not only competitive but also at the forefront of browser technology.
Criticism has not spared Microsoft Edge with some labeling it as bloated and cluttered. However, the focus on optimizing speed and performance could be a step in the right direction to regain user trust and satisfaction. A leaner, faster browser could very well be the beacon that guides lost users back to Edge. And while increasing speed is commendable, it seems that the ultimate user approval may hinge on a simultaneous streamlining of features and simplification of the user interface.
