Microsoft Edge has recently undergone a significant performance enhancement with the rollout of version 132, which has brought about notable speed improvements across various features of the browser. Users can now experience a more responsive interface, particularly when accessing the Downloads folder, Drop, History, and the inPrivate new tab experience. The enhancements extend to Favorites and Browser Essentials, which have also seen a boost in speed.
Performance Improvements
On average, several components of Edge are now operating approximately 40% faster than their previous iterations. While the current version is actually 133, the speed upgrades began with version 132, marking a pivotal moment in the browser’s evolution. This performance leap is attributed to Microsoft Edge’s transition to WebUI 2.0, a migration that commenced early last year. In a detailed blog post from May 2024, Microsoft elaborated on how this transition optimizes webpage rendering and enhances the speed of various elements.
The most pronounced improvements are expected on lower-end devices, particularly those utilizing HDDs instead of SSDs. However, users across all systems should notice a difference. For instance, the time taken to open the Downloads folder has been reduced from 0.927 seconds to a brisk 0.428 seconds. While this may appear to be a minor adjustment, Microsoft emphasizes that even fractional reductions in loading times can significantly enhance the overall user experience of a browser.
“Research indicates that there are certain absolute responsiveness targets that must be met for a user to perceive the UI as fast, and data showed our UI could be more responsive,” a Microsoft spokesperson noted. This insight underscores the importance of swift interactions in shaping user perceptions of performance.
A recent blog post from Microsoft highlights the specific changes introduced in Edge version 132, revealing that at least 14 areas of the browser’s user interface have achieved an average speed increase of 40%. This includes key features such as Downloads, Drop, History, and the inPrivate tab experience, all of which contribute to a smoother and more efficient browsing experience.
