After Microsoft adopted the Chromium project for its Edge browser, the browser’s popularity has surged. Chromium Edge now holds a desktop market share of 11.9%, securing the second position after Chrome. This growth can be attributed to features like Edge Copilot, AI functionalities, Edge flags, and extensions, making it a compelling choice for users. If you’ve switched to Microsoft Edge, it’s worthwhile to explore some of the best Edge flags. In this article, we’ll introduce you to the top Microsoft Edge flags that can enhance your productivity and provide additional utilities to your browsing experience. Let’s get started.
Enabling Edge Flags
Enabling flags on Microsoft Edge is straightforward. Just copy and paste “edge://flags” into the address bar, then hit Enter. This will take you to the Edge Flags page. Here, you can search for specific flags and activate them from the drop-down menu. Finally, click on “Restart” at the bottom-right corner to apply the changes.
1. Installing Extensions in Edge for Android
Microsoft has introduced the ability to install browser extensions in the mobile version of Edge, a highly requested feature that Chrome currently lacks. Kiwi and Firefox are among the few browsers that allow extension installation on Android, and now Microsoft has officially joined in to support extensions on Android.
edge://flags/#edge-extensions-android
Please note, this feature is currently available in Edge Canary on Android (Free). You’ll need to enable the “Android Extension” flag to install extensions. Microsoft has initially selected three extensions for the Android version of Edge. However, it’s a significant step, and extension support will likely be added to the stable version soon.
2. Enabling Edge Image Viewer
Microsoft has introduced a new image viewer in Edge with AI features. To access it, right-click on any image in the Edge browser and select “Open Image in a new tab“. This will launch the Edge Image Viewer, where you can perform AI editing, including smart erase to remove objects from the image directly within the browser.
edge://flags/#edge-image-viewer
Please note, you can also blur the background, retouch the image, add filters, add highlights, and perform other image editing operations in this image viewer. To enable this feature on desktops running the stable version of Edge, you can use the Edge flag provided.
3. Giving Edge a Fresh Look
To give Microsoft Edge a fresh appearance, you can enable several visual flags. First, enable the three Edge flags listed below. Then, from the bottom-left corner of Edge, activate vertical tabs. This will incorporate Windows 11 visual effects into the title bar, toolbar, and menus, including the acrylic effect. Additionally, it will round the appearance of tabs, resulting in an overall look similar to Arc from The Browser Company.
edge://flags/#edge-visual-rejuv-mica
edge://flags/#edge-visual-rejuv-materials-menu
edge://flags/#edge-visual-rejuv-rounded-tabs
4. Enabling AI Writing on the Web
Microsoft has introduced a new AI feature in the Edge browser, which is currently hidden behind a flag. By enabling the “Compose” flag in the Edge flags page, you can activate this feature. It allows you to rewrite text on the web using Copilot. In testing, this feature worked in most text fields, providing a useful tool for various purposes.
edge://flags/#edge-compose
5. Auto Dark Mode for Web Contents
The “Auto Dark Mode for Web Contents” flag in Microsoft Edge sounds like a great feature, especially for those who prefer a dark theme across all webpages. It’s convenient to have this functionality built into the browser without the need for additional extensions.
edge://flags/#enable-force-dark
And the best part is that the previous problem of image inversion has been fixed. So go ahead and select “Enabled” from the drop-down menu and restart your browser to enjoy the dark mode experience everywhere on the browser.
6. Parallel Downloading
The “Parallel Downloading” flag in Microsoft Edge seems like a useful feature for improving download speeds, especially for larger files. It’s akin to the functionality provided by download managers such as IDM, which can be beneficial for users who frequently download heavy files.
edge://flags/#enable-parallel-downloading
7. Smooth Scrolling
Enabling the “Smooth Scrolling” flag in Microsoft Edge can indeed enhance the scrolling experience, making it even smoother. Additionally, the flag that boosts the screen refresh rate while scrolling can further improve the visual fluidity, especially on devices with higher refresh-rate displays. These flags offer additional customization options to enhance the overall browsing experience in Edge.
edge://flags/#smooth-scrolling
edge://flags/#edge-refresh-rate-boost-on-scroll
8. Desktop PWA Link Capturing
Yes, that sounds like a great feature for users who frequently use PWAs like Twitter or Instagram. Automatically opening links in the suitable PWA can enhance the seamless experience and make the use of PWAs more integrated and convenient. It’s a smart way to ensure that the PWA is utilized for its intended purpose, providing a more app-like experience within the browser.
edge://flags/#enable-user-link-capturing-pwa
9. Heavy Ad Privacy Mitigations
If you notice excessive system resource usage while browsing the web, consider enabling this Edge flag. It helps prevent ads from consuming CPU resources and implements privacy measures to block cryptocurrency miners and other potentially malicious activities. You can enable the flag by navigating to the address provided below.
edge://flags/#heavy-ad-privacy-mitigations
10. Automatic HTTPS
To ensure a secure browsing experience, it’s advisable to enable the Automatic HTTPS flag in Microsoft Edge. This feature automatically switches the connection to HTTPS from HTTP, providing a more secure browsing experience, especially on older websites that still use HTTP.
edge://flags/#edge-automatic-https
Here are some of the best flags for Microsoft Edge that can enhance your browsing experience. However, it’s important not to enable all flags at once, as this can make Edge unstable. Instead, enable only the flags that are essential to your needs. Additionally, you can explore our list of cool Microsoft Edge tips and tricks to further improve your browsing experience. If you found this article helpful, feel free to comment below and let us know.
