Microsoft’s browsers, IE + Edge, could lose first place to Chrome in May

2 min. read

Published on April 4, 2016

published on April 4, 2016

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While we previously reported that Microsoft’s Edge browser gained a little bit of market share in February, according to new data from Net Applications (via Computerworld) Microsoft ‘s browsers could drop their first place in the analytics company browser rankings in May. Indeed, Internet Explorer and Edge registered a 43.4% browser share in March (56.5% a year ago) after losing a combined 1.4 percentage points of desktop and notebook user share over a month. This declining market share is benefiting Google’s Chrome browser which grew its browser share by 2.5 percentage points last month, registering a global user share of 39.1%.

Microsoft 's browsers could lose the top spot to Google Chrome in May. — Microsoft ‘s browsers could lose the top spot to Google Chrome in May (source: Computerworld via Net Applications).

The declining browser share of Microsoft browsers is quite understandable as the company ended support for Internet Explorer 8, 9 and 10 in January, forcing users to either upgrade to Internet Explorer 11 or to switch to more modern rivals. And while Microsoft Edge is the default browser on Windows 10, the universal Windows app still doesn’t feel completely ready and currently lacks support for extensions.

However, Microsoft is working to stop bleeding browser as the upcoming Anniversary Update for Windows 10 will bring many new features to its default Edge browser over the summer: extensions that integrate into native Windows 10 apps, better web app support and built-in Windows Hello biometric security among other goodies. Please tell us in the comments if the upcoming Edge features could make you switch from your current browser.

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time). For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web. Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they're looking for.