How to make Microsoft Edge look better on Windows 11
Microsoft released Microsoft Edge 120 recently. The latest update of its modern web browser did not introduce much in the feature department, at least when you consult the official release notes.
Microsoft did introduce new Telemetry almost silently. The only reference is found under "new policies".
Windows 11 users who run Microsoft Edge may enable support for the operating system's visual effects in Microsoft Edge. The feature is available as an experimental flag at the time of writing. Users need to enable it manually before the change becomes visible in Edge.
Microsoft introduced the Mica design when it launched Windows 11. Microsoft Edge did support it previously, but Microsoft pulled it after users started to report performance issues related to the design.
Enabling Windows 11 visual effects in title bar and toolbar in Microsoft Edge
Here is a step-by-step guide on enabling the visual facelift in Microsoft Edge. Please note that this is only having an effect on Microsoft's Windows 11 operating system and not any of the other systems Edge is available on.
- Select Menu (three dots) > Help & Feedback > About Microsoft Edge.
- Install any update that is found. The version needs to be at least 120.0.2210.77.
- Load edge://flags/#edge-visual-rejuv-mica in the address bar of the Edge web browser.
- Change the state of Show Windows 11 visual effects in title bar and toolbar to Enabled.
- Restart the browser.
Edge applies the visual effects of the Windows 11 operating system automatically.
Microsoft describes Mica in the following way: "Mica is an opaque, dynamic material that incorporates theme and desktop wallpaper to paint the background of long-lived windows such as apps and settings."
Note: if you notice performance issue after enabling the design in Microsoft Edge for Windows 11, repeat the steps outlined above but set the state of the feature to Default or Disabled. This restores the original design in Edge.
Verify that the Mica design is enabled
Here is how you can verify that visual effects of Windows 11 are supported by Microsoft Edge:
- Load edge://settings/appearance in the address bar of the Edge browser.
- Scroll down until you find "Show Windows 11 visual effects in title bar and toolbar (Preview)".
- There is a toggle that determines if the feature is enabled or not.
If you do not see the option, Mica is not enabled in Microsoft Edge.
Microsoft provides a description of what the setting does in Edge on Windows 11: "Adds Mica effect to the title bar and toolbar backgrounds when using the default theme. This functionality depends on your device and Windows settings. We're still working on this feature, so you may experience some performance issues."
Closing Words
Microsoft relaunched support for Windows 11's Mica design as a preview in Microsoft Edge 120. The company admits that users may experience performance issues after enabling the feature. Users who enable the feature and notice these issues may disable it again to restore the status quo.
Now You: do you use Microsoft Edge regularly or sporadically? (via Windows Area)
I mainly use Firefox and Brave.
I have Google Chrome as a backup in case a website doesn’t work, and I have Edge because it comes with the OS.
The interface of Edge is overwhelming, so much so, I don’t want to take the time to learn how to use it, and so I don’t.
I am much more interested in this: “Microsoft did introduce new Telemetry almost silently. The only reference is found under “new policies”.”
How to turn that off ?
Turning off all those new unappealing designs and sticking with the original release style will make Edge look better. Why is the page I’m accessing required to have round corners? Why would I want the appearance of buttons on my tabs? Why would I want my menus to be transparent through?
The only way to make Edge look better on Windows 11 is to uninstall it.
Oh, and the telemetry that was silently enabled is this: “Edge3P Telemetry in Microsoft Edge captures the searches user does on third party search providers”
Nope….
Amen
Loathe Microsoft Edge…
Moving all of my systems, personal and business, away from MS tech because they want to force AI and tracking through mandatory “security” updates…
No amount of fluff articles will change my mind at this point. MS started going down the wrong road after Win 7. Hoped that they would wise up however they are just digging themselves deeper and deeper into the “cannot be trusted” hole.
At this point Windows and Edge are just security risks. Will no longer recommend using them to anyone.
“Do you use Microsoft Edge regularly or sporadically?”
You left out the third option, which is appropriate for me: Never.
I have been a satisfied Brave customer for years.
What do I need Edge for?
This is embarassing, like 3 hours after commenting, my comment is still not here. I know it’s in the system (at least I think so). What makes it take so long??
How do I make Edge show the entire url in the address bar?
I think that’s because Edge is fork of Google Chrome and Google decided some time ago not to display the full URL anymore. But have a look on Martin’s article on the subject at: https://www.ghacks.net/2020/07/17/microsoft-hides-www-and-https-in-edge-canary-address-bar-then-restores-it/
Unrelated observation: The Windows 11 “shitty grey” aesthetic has trickled down to hardware manufacturers and we’re now seeing shiny grey “silvery” type hardware/computers, which looks the same as the “silvery shiny” aesthetic of 2005-2008 – this is very weird and I don’t know what to make of it, somehow we have come full circle.
Obligatory “look what they have to do to mimic a fraction of our power” comment regarding Mica, calling it a “facelift” is a major exaggeration. Still a million miles way from aero glass :)
Also, there’s no reason this can’t also be in Windows 10 – petty artificial limitations are really Microsoft’s style!