Top five tips and tricks for using the new Microsoft Edge at work

If you didn’t already know, Microsoft has a new web browser. Though still named Microsoft Edge, the new version of Edge is a lot better than the old one. Based on Google’s open-source Chromium engine (the same that powers Google Chrome) it has a ton of cool new features — especially if you’re using the browser in a business or at work. Today, we’ll be taking a look at how Edge fits in at work, and our top five tips and tricks for using it in enterprise, business, or work scenarios.

Tip 1: Multiple profiles

Our first tip is one of the most simple. With the new Microsoft Edge, you can add multiple profiles to the web browser (that is if it is not disabled by a group policy by your IT admin in a larger enterprise.) This is useful if a computer is being shared at work, or in point-of-sale with a single account. You can separate your web browsing sessions, without having to use different web browsers. You even can add a personal account to Edge, right alongside a work account, if your workplace allows it.

To add multiple profiles to Edge, all you need to do is tap the profile picture icon at the top right side of the browser. Then, choose Add Profile. From there, you can sign into work or personal account, and add different users to a single instance of Edge. You can revisit this menu at any time to switch back between profiles.

Tip 2: Search your Microsoft 365 information the Microsoft 365 tab

If you’re signed into Edge with a Microsoft 365 account (and the feature is enabled by your IT admin in a larger enterprise,) then you’ll notice that you have some special feature in Microsoft Edge catered just for work and Microsoft 365 subscription service. On the new tab page in Edge, you’ll see a special “Office 365” section on the bottom left of your screen. If you tap into this, you should see that you’ll get a hub with your day at a glance. They’ll be access to today’s events, recommended files, frequent SharePoint websites, and recent, pinned, or “shared with me” documents.

In addition, you also can use the search bar in Edge on the New Tab page to search for things across your company. This includes people, documents, internal websites, and a lot more. It’s powered by Microsoft Search, which we previously covered in another article.

Tip 3: Use Internet Explorer Mode in Microsoft Edge

This third tip is for businesses and enterprises that might still need to use Internet Explorer for legacy websites. The new Edge has an “Internet Explorer mode.” With this mode, it is easier to use all the sites your organization might need in a single browser. Edge will use the Trident MSHTML engine from Internet Explorer 11 (IE11) for legacy sites. Again, this feature might be disabled by IT admins in larger enterprises, but if you’re a small business, it should not be a problem for you.

You’ll notice that Edge is in IE mode when the IE mode logo shows on the left side of the navigation bar. Just keep in mind that IE mode doesn’t work with Internet Explorer toolbars. group policies for the navigation menu, or developer tools.

You can enable Internet Explorer Mode in Microsoft Edge by clicking the three dots at the top right of the screen. Then, choose Settings. After that, you can click Default Browser and toggle the switch for Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer Mode. You’ll then have to reload the browser.

Tip 4: Put yourself in control of your web browsing

When browsing the web on a work computer, or with a work profile, you’ll need to be extra careful. The internet is a dangerous place, and you want to keep your company and yourself safe from potential viruses, phishing attacks, popups, and more. Larger enterprises already likely have group policies to help with this, but for small businesses without IT pros, Microsoft Edge has its own built-in tools to help. This section will look at some of those tools.

First off, you can check out Edge’s tracking prevention. Just click the three dots at the top of the screen, then choose Settings, and then click Privacy, search, and services. These tools can help prevent websites from tracking your behavior and your clicks as you browse. It’s best to set tracking prevention to Strict. For even more security, you can set Edge to clear the cache, history, and other items when you close it. Other tools here include setting Do not Track requests, managing certificates, services, and more.

Tip 5: Browse safely with Application Guard

In addition to the controls which we previously mentioned, you also can check out Edge’s built-in Application Guard window feature. This helps lock down the web browsing session you’re doing in the window, in a virtualized container environment separate from the rest of Windows. According to Microsoft, Hardware isolation helps enterprises safeguard their corporate network and data in case users visit a site that is compromised or is malicious.

You can enable Microsoft Edge’s Application Guard Window if you’re running Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise. From the Start Menu, just search for Turn Windows Features on or off. Then search for Windows Defender Application Guard and make sure the box is checked. You’ll then have to click OK and reset your computer. After that, on the restart, open Edge, and then visit the menu next to your profile picture, and choose New Application Guard Window.

Keep tuned for more on Microsoft Edge!

These are just some of our tips and tricks for using Microsoft Edge at work. We’ve got a new series on Microsoft Edge planned. So far, we’ve looked at 5 things Microsoft Edge can do that Google Chrome can’t. We’re also planning tips and tricks for the new Microsoft Edge, and a look back at some things that are still missing from Microsoft’s newest web browser. Keep tuned to OnMSFT for more, and be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments below.