Efficiency Mode and Energy Saver Integration in Microsoft Edge
The latest version of Microsoft Edge offers an “Efficiency mode” along with several related features aimed at extending battery life on portable devices like laptops and tablets. This move makes sense as it reduces the need to constantly charge your device every few hours. Surprisingly, Microsoft is planning to integrate the Energy Saver feature with Efficiency mode in Edge, as spotted by Windows Latest in a recent Edge Canary update.
The three new features added to Edge Canary are as follows:
- msEdgeSyncEfficiencyModeWithWindowsEnergySaver
- msEdgeWindowsEnergySaverAvailable
- msEdgeWindowsEnergySaverActivatedTrigger
The first feature suggests that Efficiency mode could sync with Windows Energy Saver, potentially automatically enabling Efficiency mode when Energy Saver mode is active on your PC. It’s worth noting that Energy Saver is the rebranded name for Battery Saver in Windows 11 23H2 and older versions.
The second feature seems to act as a prompt to enable Energy Saver if it’s available but not currently active on your PC. The last feature indicates a trigger to notify Edge when the Energy Saver feature is active.
According to Windows Latest, Microsoft Edge will switch to a “power saving” mode when it detects that your PC is using Energy Saver. This mode typically kicks in automatically when the battery level is below 20%, but users can also manually activate it from Quick Settings. In energy-saving mode, Edge is likely to limit visual effects and animations to preserve battery life.
In addition to Efficiency mode, Microsoft is also testing a RAM usage control feature in Edge.
Resource Controls in Edge
One common complaint about browsers is their high RAM usage, especially when multiple tabs are open. Microsoft is experimenting with a Resource Control feature in Edge that allows users to allocate a specific amount of memory to the browser. This feature can help users limit Edge’s RAM usage, which is particularly useful for devices with limited system resources.
Users can configure the Resource Control feature to be active permanently while gaming or working. This feature is still in the testing phase and may be rolled out in future updates.
Microsoft is also incorporating AI features into Edge, including AI-generated themes, form filling assistance, improved site recommendations, and more. Despite these advancements, Microsoft is actively promoting Edge and encouraging users to switch from Chrome on Windows 11.
