Microsoft Edge 149.0.4022.52: New Features & Performance Boost

Microsoft’s revamped Edge browser delivers blazing‑fast performance and robust security across virtually every platform—from Windows PCs to iPhones and Android devices—making it a versatile choice for users who demand speed without compromising privacy.

Powered by the same Chromium engine that underpins Chrome, Edge now boasts a suite of proprietary enhancements such as Startup Boost and Sleeping Tabs, which together shave milliseconds off page load times and keep background processes lean, especially on Windows.

Edge’s privacy arsenal is equally impressive. Built‑in safeguards like Microsoft Defender SmartScreen, Password Monitor, InPrivate browsing, and a dedicated Kids Mode ensure that both individual users and families can surf the web with confidence, while Family Safety integration offers content filtering and activity reports.

Perhaps the most compelling upgrade is Edge’s full support for the vast ecosystem of Chrome extensions, allowing users to tailor their browsing experience with familiar tools and add‑ons.

Microsoft Edge is undergoing a significant architectural upgrade for its Workspaces feature, moving from the original V1 framework to a more robust V2 system. This transition is designed to enhance both reliability and performance for users who rely on Workspaces to create, preserve, and share cohesive sets of tabs.

For organizations that have disabled Sync via policy, existing V1 Workspace data will still be migrated to the new architecture. However, any Workspaces created after the migration will remain device‑specific and will not sync across devices. The rollout will begin with Edge Stable version 145 and will continue through version 149.

In addition to the Workspace overhaul, the update removes the Collections feature entirely. Users will no longer be able to access or utilize Collections. To preserve saved content, users are advised to export their data or transfer all pages to Favorites before upgrading to Edge Stable 149.

The new release also introduces a refreshed, unified look and feel across all Microsoft AI surfaces, including Copilot and Bing. This redesign touches every visual element—from spacing and corner radii to typography and color palettes—creating a cohesive and modern user experience.

The company has streamlined how Copilot Chat is managed in Edge. The Microsoft365CopilotChatIconEnabled policy now serves as the single point of control, replacing the previous method of blocking the Copilot extension via ExtensionSettings or ExtensionInstallBlockList. Extension and sidebar policies no longer influence Copilot Chat’s appearance or functionality, and Copilot address‑bar suggestions are now governed by the CopilotAddressBarSuggestionsEnabled policy starting with Edge version 149.

Intune MAM’s protected downloads feature is now extended to BYOD devices—those not managed by a tenant—allowing organizations to safeguard downloaded content on personal hardware.