The latest update for Edge Chromium, version 88, is finally rolling out. This version adds many new features to the Windows and macOS versions of the browser, such as new password protection tools, an updated look, and several quality of life improvements. It’s a lot, so we’ll cover everything new in Edge 88 and show you how to use it.
Password generator and security monitor
Headlining Edge 88’s update notes are two big password features. The first is a random password generator that automatically creates passwords when you create a new account or update an existing password. Edge saves the password and fills it in for you automatically, so you don’t have to remember it.
The other new password tool is automatic data breach monitoring. Edge refers to all saved credentials with the latest data breaches and will alert you if it thinks one of your accounts has been compromised.
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Both features require you to sign in to Edge with a Microsoft account and turn on password synchronization under Settings> Profile> Sync> Passwords. To enable the password generator:
- Go to Settings> Profile> Passwords.
- To turn on Offer to save passwords and “Suggest strong passwords.”
Whenever you enter a new password, Edge will offer to make it for you. Password monitoring is automatic and applies to all logins stored in Edge. You will find these under Settings> Profile> Passwords> Saved passwords.
Sleep tabs
Users can now set inactive tabs to “go to sleep” after a specified time. Edge will stop checking sleep tabs in the background, freeing up your PC’s memory and CPU to be used elsewhere. According to Bleep computer, this reduces the memory usage of an inactive tab by an average of 32% and the CPU usage by about 37%.
Users will be presented with a popup message suggesting that they enable sleep tabs to reduce Edge’s resource usage, but you can configure the setting in Settings> System> Save Sources. You can choose how long a tab should be inactive before going to sleep, or you can set specific websites to never sleep.
Sidebar sEarch
You can now search the web without opening a new tab or leaving the page you are on. Then just mark a word right click> Search. A sidebar will open with search results.
New looks
Edge 88 also changes the look of the browser, including new “Fluent Design” interface icons to match Microsoft’s other products, and over 24 new browser themes you can use to personalize the look of Edge.
Each theme has its own color scheme and wallpaper. The wallpaper selections include illustrations from Microsoft’s own video game features such as Halo, Forza, Sea of Thieves and more; Wonder Woman 1984; and a few original designs. You can preview and install them from the new Edge add-ons page.
Other new features
Finally, there’s a selection of smaller tweaks, some of which were only available on certain platforms, but are now standard on all desktop versions of Edge:
To download the version 88 update, open Edge and go to Settings> About Microsoft Edge. The download will start automatically when available, although Microsoft says it may take up to two weeks for some users to receive it.