New Microsoft Edge Dev build brings improvements to inking and dark mode

Jonny Caldwell

Microsoft has dropped a new build for Chromium-based Microsoft Edge for those on the Dev channel of the company’s successor to its legacy EdgeHTML-based browser. The new build brings the browser to version 80.0.345.0, which brings improvements with inking for those with the Surface Pen, as well as improvements in dark mode.

Surface Pen owners should be pleased to know they they can now use the eraser side of their pen to easily remove ink from their web pages. Additionally, the company has added dark theme support to the local tab page when offline, as well as some of the UI elements when managed by Group Policy. Here’s the full list:

  • Added support for erasing ink using the eraser side of a pen.
  • Added support for using the arrow keys and spacebar to draw on feedback screenshots in editor mode.
  • Added SmartScreen protection from downloading potentially unwanted apps.
  • Added Extensions and Collections toggles to the sync Settings page but keeping them disabled in anticipation of syncing for those data types being enabled soon.
  • Added dark theme support to certain UI that appears when the browser is managed by Group Policy.
  • Added dark theme support to the local new tab page that is shown when the device isn’t connected to the internet.
  • Added a group policy to enforce whether or not headers and footers are added to printed pages.

The update also has brought many additional reliability improvements, including issues causing crashes and problems with Netflix playback. If you’re interested in hearing about these changes, you can check out the Microsoft Tech Community post for all of the details.

Yesterday, Microsoft also announced tracking prevention improvements to its new Edge web browser, as well. Users can now set their level of tracking prevention with three new options to suit their preferences.

What do you think of these improvements? Are there any particular changes you’d like to see? Feel free to leave a comment below.