Microsoft Edge Browser Previews for Windows 7/8/8.1

Microsoft Edge Browser Previews for Windows 7/8/8.1

Recently Microsoft announces that Windows 7/8/8.1 users can also expand the reach of Edge browser. It has released preview test builds of its new Chromium-based Microsoft Edge Web browser for Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 systems.

In the past, older Windows operating system support Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 browser, Chrome and Firefox browsers. IE browser is a discontinued product and has been stopped updating for a long time. This is the very first time Microsoft brings Edge browser to people who have to or stick to use older Windows 7, 8, 8.1 Windows operating system.

The features of new Edge browser on Windows 7/8/8.1 are largely the same as that you get in Windows 10 system, and users would have a very similar usage experience as Windows 10 users.

However, for business users who need compatibility for both Edge and IE browsers, Microsoft will add Internet Explorer Mode, a new browser compatibility scheme. The Internet Explorer Mode aims to blur the lines between Edge and old IE technology in new Edge browser. The IE mode can let new Edge users automatically shift to IE by tapping a tab when they want.

Microsoft Releases Canary and Dev Channel Builds for New Edge Browser

Microsoft has released Canary channel preview builds of its Chromium-based Edge browser for Windows 7/8/8.1. The Canary channel will get daily software updates.

Microsoft Edge browser Dev channel (updated weekly) for Windows 7/8/8.1 is also available now. It also releases cycles for a Beta channel (updated every six weeks), as well as an upcoming Stable channel.

Edge Browser for Windows 7/8/8.1 Combines Edge and Chromium Components

Microsoft seemingly plans to create the new version of Edge browser by using the open source Chromium while combining some features currently in Edge. It aims to provide good web browsing compatibility.

Although the new Edge is based on Chromium, some Microsoft engines like Edge, HTML, and Chakra engine can be also used in the new Edge browser, to support many Windows platform applications and Web applications. New Edge browser for Windows 7/8/8.1 not only supports Edge extensions, but also supports Google Chrome extensions and apps.

How to Get Latest Edge Previews for Windows 7/8/8.1

It’s said that Microsoft plans to make the new Edge browser available on Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and macOS. And the original Edge will be still shipping with Windows 10. Microsoft will update the new Edge browser for Windows 7/8/8.1 independently. And it may be updated more frequently than the original Windows Edge browser.

For users who are accustomed to use Chrome, the new Edge for Windows 7/8/8.1 may not be a must release for home PC. But it would be a good choice for corporate web surfers.

Testers can get the latest Edge preview builds from Microsoft Edge Insider Channels. Now users can download Canary channel of Edge for Windows 7/8/8.1 without signing up.

When new Edge browser for Windows 7/8/8.1 is ready for general release, users can have an up-to-date Edge browser, but not restricted to the old Internet Explorer.