Microsoft Edge, often overlooked in the vast landscape of web browsers, recently became the focal point of an intriguing experiment. Driven by curiosity about whether Microsoft could craft an Edge-centric alternative to ChromeOS, I embarked on a journey that led me through web applications, nostalgic reflections on Windows, and a surprising discovery regarding the number of pre-installed applications that can be removed from Windows 11.
Why I tried to use Microsoft Edge as my only app
With the impending end of support for Windows 10, I found myself exploring viable options for users unable to transition to Windows 11. ChromeOS Flex emerged as a potential upgrade path for those with soon-to-be unsupported PCs. However, it quickly became apparent that ChromeOS Flex has its limitations, particularly its lack of support for Android apps and Google Play. This made me ponder whether a PC could function effectively with just a web browser.
If a device could operate solely on a web browser, perhaps Microsoft could create an alternative upgrade path for Windows 10 users that wouldn’t require entering Google’s ecosystem—an ‘EdgeBook,’ if you will. Thus, for the past two weeks, I committed to using Microsoft Edge as my sole application. The constraints of this setup were eye-opening, and while I ultimately needed to install additional software, it became clear that Microsoft could easily transform Edge into a more robust platform.
Features like the Sidebar allowed me to remain within Edge while utilizing popular services. The convenience of having Telegram and the often-underappreciated Edge Drop feature readily accessible made my experience smoother than anticipated.
Microsoft Office online is bad
Among the applications I had to reconsider was Microsoft Office. Initially, I believed the web version would suffice for my daily tasks, which typically involve light word processing and basic spreadsheets. However, the web-based Office applications proved to be the weakest link in my EdgeBook experiment. They were sluggish to load, and their performance left much to be desired.
Even more perplexing was the fact that the web versions of Word and Excel struggled when installed as web apps, often displaying only letters instead of recognizable icons in the Start menu. The installation of Excel frequently failed to launch the application altogether. This experience led me to question whether Microsoft intentionally hampers the online version of Office to incentivize users to purchase the desktop applications through Microsoft 365.
Must-have Windows 11 apps
While I could forgo certain applications, there were several that I found indispensable. For instance, while Photopea serves as a competent browser-based photo editor, I preferred to rely on familiar tools in my workflow. The following apps emerged as absolute essentials:
- Snipping Tool
- PowerToys
- Microsoft Office apps
- A dedicated photo editor
Surprisingly, the Office apps made this list due to the inadequacies of their web counterparts. While they are suitable for quick edits or document viewing on different devices, their performance pales in comparison to the desktop versions. As someone who frequently works with images, I initially experimented with various web-based image editors but ultimately opted to download Affinity Photo, a program I am well-acquainted with from my previous work with Serif.
Although I typically enjoy gaming on Steam, I took a break during this experiment. If I were to game on a low-spec device limited to a web browser, I would consider cloud gaming services like NVIDIA GeForce Now. This endeavor of stripping Windows 11 down to its essentials revealed just how many applications I could uninstall, even going so far as to remove the clock app, which I doubt significantly impacts system performance. This process underscored the benefits of occasionally performing a clean install of Windows 11.
Windows 10X: What could have been
Reflecting on the potential of Windows 10X, it becomes evident that this operating system could have provided a true competitor to ChromeOS. Although I don’t foresee an EdgeBook or a browser-centric operating system materializing, the concept once seemed plausible. Windows 10X was designed with a lighter footprint, optimizing performance on lower-end hardware compared to its more cumbersome counterparts. While some aesthetic elements of Windows 10X have made their way into Windows 11, the unique features that set it apart remain a distant dream for users.
After two weeks of relying on Microsoft Edge as my primary application, it became clear that a few specific apps are necessary alongside a web browser. Windows 10X’s support for UWP apps would have been ideal for my needs. While the prospect of an EdgeBook may not be in my future, this experiment highlighted the remarkable capabilities that can be harnessed within a browser.
