Chromium-based Edge: Linux support and IE integration

Martin Brinkmann
Mar 29, 2019
Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge
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55

Microsoft's upcoming Chromium-based version of Microsoft Edge has not been unveiled officially but leaks give us a good idea of what to expect from the new browser.

Some features were overlooked in the initial reviews. When Microsoft launched the Edge browser, it made it a Windows 10 exclusive. While you could gain access to Microsoft Edge using a Virtual Machine, exclusivity meant that Edge did not get off to a good start.

Windows 10 users could not sync data between Edge on Windows 10 and their mobile applications. This changed with the release of Microsoft Edge for mobile devices. The decision to release the browser for non-Microsoft operating systems but not the still-supported Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 did not sit well with customers who were still using these operating systems.

The new Chromium-based Edge will be available for other platforms according to Microsoft. The company mentioned Mac OS X specifically but it is very likely that it will also be available for Linux.

Probably the best indicator that Microsoft Edge will be available for Linux is found in Microsoft Edge itself. Load edge://flags and look at the compatibility information that is displayed next to each experiment.

microsoft edge chromium linux

You find Linux listed there for many of the experiments and not only Windows or Mac. Microsoft did edit these, as you don't find Chrome OS listed there or mobile operating systems.

The listing is an indicator but no verification; there is none at the time. It is still up to Microsoft to release the new Edge for Linux. Chance is good that this is going to happen.

Internet Explorer Tab inside Edge

The second feature that slipped by initially is integration of Internet Explorer in Microsoft Edge. Windows Latest discovered the flag "Enable IE Integration" under Experiments which "enables hosting Internet Explorer in a tab".

The feature does not work currently as it appears to be in development at this time. The most likely explanation is that it may be used to load individual sites in Internet Explorer's rendering engine in the Microsoft Edge browser.

The current Microsoft Edge browser comes with an option to open a web page in Internet Explorer. You need to select Menu > More Tools > Open in Internet Explorer to do so. The new option, provided that it will load the web page in a tab in Microsoft Edge, would be more comfortable as you would not have to juggle between two browser windows as everything would happen in the Edge window.

Now You: What do you expect from the new Microsoft Edge browser?

Summary
Chromium-based Edge: Linux support and IE integration
Article Name
Chromium-based Edge: Linux support and IE integration
Description
The upcoming Chromium-based version of Microsoft Edge may support Linux and integration of Internet Explorer.
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Ghacks Technology News
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Comments

  1. Peter Newton said on November 8, 2019 at 2:04 am
    Reply

    Hello all,

    ……. errr … chredge comes to Linux ?

    ……. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHA ! ……. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ….. ah hahaha …… pfffft …… hahahahahahahahahahahaha …. ahhhhhhh hahahahahahahaha ! uh aha haha ha ha …………. ooooh hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha ……..

    Peter Newton [London UK]

  2. Caden Mitchell (TriVoxel) said on May 5, 2019 at 7:02 am
    Reply

    I see many people saying that this is a horrible thing that they never want to see happening. I, however, disagree. More choices are always welcome in my opinion. First off, nobody said you need to install it, but if you prefer Microsoft Edge then more power to you. Second off, for web developers running Linux or Mac OS this is exciting as they can now easily test their code on Microsoft browsers without having to duel-boot or virtualize Windows 10. I am one of those people and I find it super irritating when I make an HTML5 game only to find out it doesn’t work on Edge for one reason or another (usually because prior to Chromium’s engine incorporation, WebGL was still at version 1, not version 2). It also means that for people who primarily use Edge, their bookmarks and saved passwords can be used on other platforms. This could be a gateway to Linux in some sense as it will make people more comfortable knowing that MSE is available on other platforms.

    Besides this, I’d like to point out that OBJECTIVELY MICROSOFT EDGE IS NOT A BAD WEB BROWSING TOOL. The browser performs very well on all modern websites and offers amazing tools that most other web browsers would require extensions for. It has extension support, conforms to modern web standards, has a beautiful and intuitive interface, and offers really great tools for students and educators. The background reporting and analyzing to Microsoft is still creepy and unwanted to most people (especially Linux users) but for others it’s not important to at all.

    At the end of the day it’s up to us which browsers we use. If we want to install Edge, whatever. If we don’t, whatever. Let’s not get angry for getting a new browser on the Linux software catalog though. I personally will continue to use Gnome Web, Firefox and Chrome. If MSE on Linux does well we could even expect to see more Microsoft products in the future such as Office which would excite a lot of students.

  3. MarkG said on March 31, 2019 at 3:47 pm
    Reply

    Now that Edge is just a Chrome copycat are we going to be able to uninstall Edge on Windows Home, Pro and Enterprise?

  4. Anonymous said on March 31, 2019 at 10:50 am
    Reply

    If people are afraid of their privacy they should live in a cave in the mountain

    1. Klaas Vaak said on March 31, 2019 at 3:40 pm
      Reply

      @Anonymous: since you presumably don’t live in a cave in the mountain (though maybe in one somewhere else?), what you are saying is that if one is not up to mischief then one has nothing to hide, therefore one is not bothered about his privacy.

      I have 2 questions for you:
      * can you please give me your banking details, incl. your PINs & the rest so I can clean out all your accounts, incl. those in tax havens, if you have them?
      * if you aren’t worried about privacy and have nothing to hide, why do you lock the toilet door when you are there, if not the one at home, almost certainly the one when you are out and about?

      1. Anonymous said on April 1, 2019 at 7:36 am
        Reply

        > can you please give me your banking details, incl. your PINs & the rest so I can clean out all your accounts, incl. those in tax havens, if you have them?

        lol Are you trolling? Any sane person would not give PIN to anyone.

        > if you aren’t worried about privacy and have nothing to hide, why do you lock the toilet door when you are there, if not the one at home, almost certainly the one when you are out and about?

        Another troll analogy.. Those are interesting, do you have another one?

        Conclusion: Microsoft will steal your banking details with their browser? And while at that Microsoft will find out you’re naked while browsing?
        That’s a really cool browser, must be from 1337!

        ps: I don’t lock toilet door at home

      2. Klaas Vaak said on April 1, 2019 at 12:29 pm
        Reply

        @Anonymous: a typical reaction nowadays from someone caught with their pants down (no pun intended), in this case being made to face their nonsense, is to cover their stupidity and inability to supply a proper answer by labeling the mirror holder as a troll.

        So, thank you for your confirmation of my premise. You obviously wanted to look clever by using and presenting with a different sauce Eric Schmidt’s (Google) famous statement. Nevertheless, you are of course entitled to your opinion, esp. of yourself.

        P.S. I could not care less if and where you lock the toilet door, though you obviously do have something to hide in that department when you’re out & about..

      3. Anonymous said on April 2, 2019 at 7:27 am
        Reply

        @Klaas Vaak
        Wut? Isn’t that ironic? You’re the one who can’t respond to my reply properly lol. I don’t even know who’s Eric and his statement, give source please? Citation is needed you know.
        You are unable explanation about your absurd analogies and then you label everyone who want to ‘fix’ you a troll? It’s OK, you are of course entitled to your opinion, esp. of yourself.

      4. Klaas Vaak said on April 2, 2019 at 3:14 pm
        Reply

        @Anonymous: if you don’t know who Eric Schmidt is, too bad for you. I gave a hint, that’s all I do for you.
        As for the rest of your drivel, thanks for confirming what I said.

  5. zzzzzz..... said on March 30, 2019 at 8:28 pm
    Reply

    Good. Now abandon DirectX 12 and fork Vulkan and rename it DirectX 12. Or open source DirectX 12. No?

  6. John Fenderson said on March 30, 2019 at 6:37 pm
    Reply

    Linux support? Really? I don’t see the value proposition of using Edge on Windows, let alone on Linux.

  7. Mike W. said on March 30, 2019 at 2:33 pm
    Reply

    I actually expect “Chredge” to do fairly well for Microsoft. Do I expect “regular” consumers to switch away from Chrome? No, but don’t underestimate how many IT departments will move to “Chredge” when it is released because they prefer to keep as many default apps in place as possible. The fact that “Chredge” will be able to piggyback off the Chrome Web Store, will work on virtually every website, and will be “good enough” for day-to-day use likely means installs by IT departments of Chrome or Firefox will drop over time.

  8. Mark Hazard said on March 30, 2019 at 12:55 pm
    Reply

    I won’t be using Edge on Linux. I am happy with Firefox.

  9. Ben said on March 30, 2019 at 11:26 am
    Reply

    Does ChromeE have the same problems as all chrome-clones? Namely you cannot have more than 20 tabs or so open otherwise the tab bar is too cramped because google does not care to implement it like FF with a scrolling tab bar?

    1. Heimen Stoffels said on March 30, 2019 at 8:29 pm
      Reply

      At least Vivaldi solved this by letting you move the tab bar to the right or left of the screen. I like it better on the left anyway.

      1. Anonymous said on March 31, 2019 at 5:24 am
        Reply

        How’s that solving the ant sized tab problem? Tab is supposed to be horizontal not vertical anyway

  10. Bobo said on March 30, 2019 at 8:27 am
    Reply

    Because what people that escaped the horrors of Microsoft deathcamps to linux safety and freedom REALLY want, is to see the word “Microsoft” on their web browser. I wonder if Candy Crush Saga for linux is included? This atrocity should only be available as an .appimage, nothing more. I can almost see the world-record lenght list of dependencies soiling the system flash before my eyes when this joke is installing. After rebooting you are greeted by a popup “Welcome to your new Linux Bing computer. To get started, log in to your Microsoft account.”.

  11. Ron said on March 30, 2019 at 2:21 am
    Reply

    >> It is still up to Microsoft to release the new Edge for Linux. Chance is good that this is going to happen. <<

    I'm sure everybody using Linux will be lining up to get Edge. Uh, well, maybe not.

  12. Cinikal said on March 29, 2019 at 6:30 pm
    Reply

    “What do you expect from the new Microsoft Edge browser?”

    Like the old Edge I expect it to sit there and be quiet while I tool around on my Firefox. :)

    But am very curious to see what Microsoft comes up with. Rarely had a problem with old Edge I just found it lacking.

  13. Darren said on March 29, 2019 at 5:57 pm
    Reply

    $50 says it’ll be released 80% finished with grand promises of things to come!

    1. Anonymous said on March 29, 2019 at 7:18 pm
      Reply

      Fair comment that.

  14. noemata said on March 29, 2019 at 5:15 pm
    Reply

    “we love linux”

    just “moved” .. but it comes back. why? because :

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVHcdgrqbHE

  15. bwat47 said on March 29, 2019 at 5:11 pm
    Reply

    Did hell just freeze over?

  16. ilev said on March 29, 2019 at 4:30 pm
    Reply

    You can download and test Edge Chromium from here :

    http:// bbs. pcbeta. com/ forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=1809473

  17. pndy said on March 29, 2019 at 3:52 pm
    Reply

    Question is, if MS is going to be a passive recipient of Chromium code or its going to actively help in development process. My guess is it’ll be the first option which already says there’s no reason to use Edge on Linux or OSX unless you’re die-hard fan of the company and you need MS services like bing search with bonus omnipresent tracking.

    The current web browsers market or rather pool choice is tragic – using anything that’s based on Chromium or contributing to that project only strengthens Chrome and Google in the end. Mozilla despite of making performance improvements in Firefox, set itself in opposition to users with telemetry and tracking means and that’s the reason enough to stay away from that browser. The remaining alternative projects like Palemoon are anything but a laugh with no chance for gaining attention among majority of computer users – that’s just a swan song of once dominant Gecko-based browsers.

  18. Tom Hawack said on March 29, 2019 at 3:10 pm
    Reply

    > What do you expect from the new Microsoft Edge browser?

    Frankly, when I read the article’s title I was convinced the question would be : “As a Windows 7/8.1 user would you install Microsoft’s new Chromium based Edge browser?”

    I nevertheless read the article entirely, anxiously waiting for the expected question for which I had a simple, straightforward, non-ambiguous answer : No. (may be I would have added : “No way”.

    But the article invites us to wonder on what do we expect from the new Microsoft Edge browser.

    I’ll try to squeeze in my answer, re-formatted : I expect another tentacle from Octopussy alias Microsoft. I already avoid all of the company’s services, block all of its urls I can possibly find, discover and know that it’s certainly not to find myself on the edge f another inquisition component.

    My psy is telling me that I’m making a fix on a company which could lead to obsession and maybe depression (something with ‘ssion’ anyway). OK. No hate. Caution, only :=)

    1. seeprime said on March 29, 2019 at 7:10 pm
      Reply

      This is posted using Edge 65 on WIndows 7. It, so far, looks like it will be a nice replacement for the few people that still use the built in Windows default browser. It’s snappy. At this time, it’s mostly Chrome with a bit of Edge thrown in. Since I work on PC’s for a living, I’m keeping a close eye on it. Unless MS screws it up, I’m going to stop loading Chrome and simply install uBlock Origin from the Chrome Web Store. Edge 75 may be Chromium based, but it’s still competition that, along with Firefox, should keep Google “honest”.

  19. WorknMan said on March 29, 2019 at 3:10 pm
    Reply

    > What do you expect from the new Microsoft Edge browser?

    I expect that I will continue not using it, because of IE6. Microsoft tried to break the web once, and based on the crap they’ve pulled with Windows 10, I have no illusions they wouldn’t try it again if given the chance. Hence, any browser they release is on my permanent shitlist.

    Some sins can never be forgiven.

    1. Anonymous said on March 30, 2019 at 5:34 pm
      Reply

      Trolling is okay but at least read the article

    2. anon said on March 29, 2019 at 7:49 pm
      Reply

      > I expect that I will continue not using it, because of IE6. Microsoft tried to break the web once

      Nice meme. This was not what happened in the 1990s and early 2000s.

  20. Klaas Vaak said on March 29, 2019 at 3:05 pm
    Reply

    Why would anyone still want this browser? It brings nothing new to the table. Oh sorry, forgot, it is yet another tool allowing M$ to spy on its unsuspecting victims. It is truly unbelievable that people are still prepared to be treated like garbage by M$.

    1. Caden Mitchell (TriVoxel) said on May 5, 2019 at 6:57 am
      Reply

      I understand your opinion. I, however, would like to disagree. More choices are always welcome in my opinion. First off, nobody said you need to install it, but if you prefer Microsoft Edge then more power to you. Second, for web developers running Linux or Mac OS this is exciting as they can now easily test their code on Microsoft browsers without having to duel-boot or virtualize Windows 10. It also means that for people who primarily use Edge, their bookmarks and saved passwords can be used on other platforms. This could be a gateway to Linux in some sense as it will make people more comfortable knowing that MSE is available on other platforms.

      Besides this, I’d like to point out that MICROSOFT EDGE IS NOT A BAD BROWSER. Objectively, the browser performs very well on all modern websites and offers amazing tools that most other web browsers would require extensions for. It has extension support, conforms to modern web standards, has a beautiful and intuitive interface, and offers a really great tools for students and educators. The background reporting and analyzing to Microsoft is still creepy and unwanted to most people (especially Linux users) but for others it’s not important to at all.

      At the end of the day it’s up to us which browsers we use. If we want to install Edge, whatever. If we don’t, whatever. Let’s not get angry for getting a new browser on the Linux software catalog though. I personally will continue to use Gnome Web, Firefox and Chrome. If MSE on Linux does well we could even expect to see more Microsoft products in the future such as Office which would excite a lot of students.

    2. dark said on March 30, 2019 at 2:40 pm
      Reply

      Linux support for Edge, this could mean that Microsoft may release a Linux distro sometime in the future and Chromium based Edge browser will come installed OOTB with Microsoft Linux distro. Windows 10 may become a Linux distro.

      1. dark said on March 31, 2019 at 7:04 am
        Reply

        Maybe it’s better to let someone think i’m stupid than open your mouth and prove it.

      2. Tom Hawack said on March 31, 2019 at 7:47 pm
        Reply

        Hey! I knew this wording, “It’s better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than open it and remove all doubt.” and I thought it was originally a citation of Groucho Marx until I dug a bit and it appears the origin is a quote from Abraham Lincoln himself :

        “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt.”

        Both citations mean approximately the same thing… but “appearing to be” and “be thought” ain’t really the same thing : to be and to be considered as! Am I nuts, do I appear to be nuts or am I thought stupid? For instance I may be a genius and appear to be intelligent, I may appear to be intelligent and be thought stupid.

        That’s all, folks :=)

      3. dark said on March 31, 2019 at 3:20 pm
        Reply

        @fake dark: said on March 31, 2019 at 7:04 am

        don’t impersonate me.

      4. dark said on April 1, 2019 at 12:48 pm
        Reply

        dark said on March 31, 2019 at 3:20 pm

        don’t impersonate me, because i’m going to cry about it.

      5. Supergirl said on April 3, 2019 at 5:37 am
        Reply

        Hi dark & FAKE dark,

        Dont let the Imp bug you…….
        Hes a M$ loser who cant admit he’s got a Micro-Softy in his pants.

        He cant stand that something being made for FREE by Dedicated Humanitarians
        is nearly the equal now to M$’s Best OS.

        I know you were jesting but some have no sense of humor.
        They feel threatened must attack back in a Passive-Agressive manner.

        Its cowardly & you shouldnt let a loser bother you.
        Probably a Virgin Incel….who blames women instead of lookin in the mirror.

        Hay ..FAKER its never YOU is it?

      6. Supergirl said on April 7, 2019 at 11:33 am
        Reply

        @ FAKE —> said on April 3, 2019 at 5:37 am

        Either that or I have multiple personalities……

        I so totally didnt write whats above this.

        I think Ill stop using this handle as this mailbox is full now anyways. Or do i just like to lie to myself here on this website.

        $1000 worth of laptops etc destroyed by a Microsoft supplied UEFI virus & 2 years{2013&14} of frustration to make it all the way to Linux heaven.
        I’m so incompetent, because, I’ve have a UEFI Win8 comp with a nasty UEFI virus….I blame Microsoft BIOS was pretty safe until They got involved. I can’t blame myself for being incompetent.
        And not understand how to update a BIOS without getting a UEFI virus.

        That makes sense don’t you think….?!?!?!?

        After 9-11 I looked in on bomb making & jihadi websites…..Just out of curiosity. You know, know thine enemy.

        Its cowardly & you shouldnt let a loser bother you dark.
        Probably a Virgin Incel….who blames women instead of lookin in the mirror.

        I’m a Feminazi. I have the right to vote!

        Be A Feminist Dark!

        I know you were jesting but some have no sense of humor.
        They feel threatened must attack back in a Passive-Agressive manner.

        Who blames women instead of lookin in the mirror.

        Focus On One Sex! Embrace Bigotry, Hypocristy and Disinformation!
        Tell people you’re not all like that. Call them Misogynists and Rape Apologists.

        If they Disagree with you!

        #KillAllMen – All Men Must Die!

      7. Supergirl said on April 8, 2019 at 4:59 am
        Reply

        @Fake

        Yadda Yadda Yadda…

        I didnt write this ..
        the Imposter did.

      8. Tom Hawack said on April 8, 2019 at 12:50 pm
        Reply

        OK, OK … I’m the Imposter, I’ve dressed with a skirt, a touch of make-up and tried to think, speak and write as a super girl… I confess.

        My contribution to fake news :=)

      9. Real Supergirl said on April 11, 2019 at 9:27 am
        Reply

        And you DO look quite cute in a dress.

        but Im insulted you really need to pick a larger Cup size ..Ok..LoL

      10. Real Supergirl said on April 13, 2019 at 5:14 am
        Reply

        Either that or I have multiple personalities……

        I so totally didnt write whats above this.

        I think Ill stop using this handle as this mailbox is full now anyways. Or do i just like to lie to myself here on this website.

        After 9-11 I looked in on bomb making & jihadi websites…..Just out of curiosity. You know, know thine enemy.

      11. Klaas Vaak said on April 8, 2019 at 1:23 pm
        Reply

        @Tom Hawack: and the system accepts to have 2 different people with the same username but a different email address?

      12. Martin Brinkmann said on April 8, 2019 at 2:26 pm
        Reply

        @Klaas, since there is no verification or registration, you are free to choose any email address and user name that you like, or none at all. We don’t enforce the email field, so that it can be left empty. We also don’t record IP addresses so that we can’t distinguish between authors that use the same username.

        The only option right now would be to contact me to create an account on the site so that we are able to distinguish that account from others.

      13. Real Supergirl said on April 11, 2019 at 9:41 am
        Reply

        Hi Martin,
        Have you NOT received the 4-5 emails I have sent you..?

        the 1st was in response to your dropping all your subscription services…?

        I have sent & resent a subscribe request to you in the last week or so.

        In fact I have no problem with you just not posting ANYTHING with the Supergirl handle anymore.{Umm after this one of course}

        Im not over attached to it.. originally it was just a spam catcher email,anyway.

        Im pretty sure I sent the emails here.—>news@ghacks.net

        Id like to apologize to ALL for what ever it is I did to set off this jealous nitwit in the first place.
        Also Thanks to those who have kept a sense of humor about it.
        I feel like royalty having my own personal ‘Foole”….

        I have Always filled out the email addy….

        Last time from ;Real Supergirl’..except to point out the ‘Foole”

      14. Klaas Vaak said on April 8, 2019 at 3:21 pm
        Reply

        @Martin Brinkmann: thanks for the clarification, Martin :-)

      15. Tom Hawack said on April 8, 2019 at 1:39 pm
        Reply

        @Klaas Vaak,

        2 different people with the same username but a different email address? Depends
        2 different people with the same email address but a different username? Depends

        This is hypothetical, I don’t run a website. I think it all depends on the website but mainly on being registered. No login registration allows I guess all combinations… that is allows publication, because when it comes to the webmaster, he/she is the one who knows the users’/guests IPs…. but as well as a doctor is tied to the secret, webmasters alike, as i understand it. And of course remains the users extensively using proxies/VPN and in that case a site would have to rely on fingerprinting.

        When it’s so simple to have one and one only username, at least per-site…

      16. Supergirl said on April 8, 2019 at 12:39 pm
        Reply

        @Fake —–> Supergirl said on April 8, 2019 at 4:59 am

        Either that or I have multiple personalities……

        I so totally didnt write whats above this.

        I think Ill stop using this handle as this mailbox is full now anyways. Or do i just like to lie to myself here on this website.

      17. dark said on April 1, 2019 at 12:51 am
        Reply

        @fake dark said on March 31, 2019 at 3:20 pm

        don’t impersonate me, because i’m going to cry about it here.

        Trump 2020

    3. John said on March 30, 2019 at 3:37 am
      Reply

      Half of the people stay with Microsoft for video games, the other half stay because they work for the state/government, and those types never change.

      1. Miwoli said on May 6, 2019 at 2:24 pm
        Reply

        You forgot ’bout content creators, who don’t want to use macOS. Doing some Photoshop/Illustrator/Premiere/Audition/3DS Max/Maya stuff is simply impossible, and you won’t convince me, that Gimp/Blender/Inkscape are good enough alternatives, ‘cuase they’re not.

    4. Anonymous said on March 29, 2019 at 7:17 pm
      Reply

      Comments publicly online wants privacy…

    5. John said on March 29, 2019 at 6:59 pm
      Reply

      Yeah as a hardcore Linux user (I blasted all Windows installations off my computers), I won’t be using this. Why?

      https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/12/13/windows_10_carry_on_slurping/

      1. Klaas Vaak said on March 30, 2019 at 7:19 am
        Reply

        @John: +1. I also ditched Windows completely for Linux, and don’t use Wine there.
        More people should ditch Windows, esp. since setting a PC up with Linux is not that difficult. I am not a computer geek by a stretch of the imagination, but I still managed to do the switch myself.

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