9 Amazing Features That Make Microsoft Edge Better Than Chrome

1. Collections: Organize Your Workflow with Ease

Inarguably, collections are one of the most appealing features that Microsoft Edge has. As someone who has to juggle between multiple websites and online tools all day, I found it very much required. The collections would let me easily group together those websites and web apps to which I frequently access for them to be accessed using a few clicks.

Creating a new Collection is simply done by clicking the Collections icon in the Microsoft Edge sidebar and then selecting “Start new collection.” From there, I can give the Collection a name, such as “Work Apps” or “Email Accounts,” and start adding the relevant websites to it. Later, when I need those sites, I can open all pages at once by right clicking the Collection and making this selection.

What I liked most about Collections is that they persist across sessions. Even after closing Edge and opening it later, my Collections were totally ready to be set into action. It saved me so many minutes every day because I didn’t have to open every website manually. It’s the little features that make all the productivity difference in the world.

2. Progressive Web Apps: Install Websites as Desktop Apps

Another very interesting and quite useful feature regarding Microsoft Edge is the support for Progressive Web Apps. With PWAs, I can install a website as a desktop app in the same way that I would install any other common software.

For PWAs, all I have to do to install them is go to the respective websites I want to become apps. Visit the website, click the three dots on the top-right edge, and then click “Install this site as app.” Edge will take it from here, creating a standalone app to pin on my Taskbar or Start Menu for easy access without firing up a web browser.

Buy PWA to realize a range of benefits. To start with, it tends to load and run even faster compared to its web alternatives since they are mostly optimized for desktop performance. Additionally, a lot of PWAs can be accessed offline, which is incredibly beneficial to the one on the go or when in locations with a less-than-reliable internet connection.

3. Split Screen: Multitask with Ease

This feature is very important with the Split Screen feature from Microsoft Edge, as often I have to refer to many websites or even web apps at a given instance of time. This allows me to split the window of my browser into two or more parts so that several pages will be opened and browsed through at the same time.

To use Split Screen, I just click the Split Screen icon in the Edge toolbar and select the sites I want to display side by side. I can change the dimensions of each pane according to my needs or interchange the places of pages if I need to.

This has been useful in my accounting work, where I often need to refer to lots of financial systems and reports all at the same time. With Split Screen, it’s easy to keep everything accessible and visible without constant switching between tabs or windows.

4. Screen Capture: Capture and Annotate Web Content Easily

Another excellent feature of Microsoft Edge is its built-in capturing tool. I often need to capture screenshots or web content in its entirety for tutorials, presentation, or just for saving it in my reference folder.

With Edge’s screen capture feature, I can easily take a capture of any part of a webpage or even the whole page as a single image, after which I am able to annotate captures using text, drawings, and highlights. This makes it quite easy to actually point to particular elements or make notes for reference at a later time.

I find this feature very critical, especially in the generation of tutorials or walkthroughs, since I am able to take step-by-step screenshots and annotate them to be of clear visual direction. This has also been quite useful in saving important information from web pages, like product specifications or research findings, that I easily go back to.

5. Immersive Reader: Distraction-Free Reading

One feature that I have heavily leaned on after it was integrated into Microsoft Edge was the Immersive Reader. Not by a long shot has this automatically turned on, but very often it is necessary to peruse difficult web content when the Immersive Reader feature could activate and just change everything in focus and retention.

This Immersive Reader filters out all the clutter and extraneous noise of a typical webpage to leave only the content presentable, clean, and distraction-free. I cannot only change the size of the font to my liking but also do this in the layout. I can have the content read out loud using built-in text-to-speech functionality.

It has been especially useful for me when reading technical documentation or research papers, where more of your attention is captured. It helps me home in on the content on display, with no distraction of visual noise or in any way to adjust that content, improving understanding and retention.

6. Efficiency Mode and Browser Task Manager: Better Performance

First is the Efficiency Mode, which automatically places inactive Edge windows into a low-power state after a time that helps in conserving system resources to prevent my computer from slowing down when I have multiple Edge windows open simultaneously.

Besides, Edge comes with a Browser Task Manager that enables me to check the performance of each web page and extension. For instance, if any page or extension starts consuming a lot of CPU or memory, then it will be easy for me to find it and close it so that my system can run smoothly.

These performance-related features have been of so much help to me, most especially when I am working on heavy, big tasks in terms of resource use: video editing or 3D modelling. They help me keep the system at a tip-top performance, and that is exactly how I love to stay productive and highly efficient – even on the tightest workday routines.

7. Edge Tools: Productivity Enhancers Integrated

One of the things I love about Microsoft Edge is that it is bulky, chock-full of integrated tools and utilities from the sidebar section of the browser. These tools together have been an integral part of my daily workflow, which has actually made me effective and productive in my efforts to create content.

– Calculator: Make instant calculations without having to leave the app.

Unit Converter — This feature allows me to easily switch between the different units I might have used, especially in a technical specification or data.

Dictionary — To check the definition of any word in the document.

Translator — To easily translate to/from other languages for a quiet time interacting with different cultures or exploring various markets.

These are productivity game-changers; to have this stuff ready in your Edge sidebar, I do not need to go back and forth to access the information and tools I needed. This keeps my focus on point and me remaining efficient throughout the day.

8. Annotate PDF Files: Streamline Document Review and Collaboration

I am often in the situation of needing to critique and give feedback on PDF documents—whether they are client proposals, design mock-ups, or technical specifications. Microsoft Edge now has native PDF annotation tools at your fingertips, thereby making this issue much easier to deal with.

With the features of PDF Annotation on Edge, one can easily highlight, underline, strike-through text, and add comments, notes, and even freehand sketches on the document. This is essential for giving detailed feedback and insights on what is being discussed sans the need to print the PDF or any other annotation tool.

Over some time working with my team on many project documents, I came to notice that this feature is just priceless. Instead of a series of emails back and forth with comments, times we made use of this commenting within the same PDF file for all of us to view in Edge, including all the feedback and annotations. It just makes the commenting and review process easier and increases a simultaneous understanding.

9. Seamless integration with Microsoft 365

Ever since I’ve been an ardent user of the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, I found out that Microsoft Edge seamlessly integrates with a roster of productivity tools and applications that I use very often—really stepping up my efficiency and productivity in content creation.

For instance, an Edge sidebar gives me access to my OneDrive files and Outlook emails within a click, without having to hop between multiple applications. I can even do something like [link to the LinkedIn PWA video description] to network with professionals and collaborate on projects.

In addition, interlinked applications like OneNote and To-Do really helped me collect and organize ideas, notes, and actions all under one roof. I have been able to reduce redundancy in my work and manage my growing content creation responsibilities effectively.

Conclusion: You Ought to Make the Switch to Microsoft Edge

After having fiddled with the several interesting features that Microsoft Edge has to offer, I can say that it is a far better choice for a browser than Google Chrome. From intuitive collections and progressive web application to optimization of performance and the seamless integration with Microsoft 365, Edge has been vital in my day-to-day work.

Whether you’re a fellow content creator, wanting to push up your productivity and efficiency, or just a person willing to put your potential to the maximum use, I suggest you give it a try for Microsoft Edge. With boundaries of features and functions, Edge shall help you line up your workflow, be focused and organized, and thus create good content fast.