Microsoft Edge is the new browser that will be shipping with Windows 10 next week. It is Microsoft’s attempt to create a more modern browsing experience to compete with major names out there such as Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. While Microsoft Edge has high speed test results, Cortana integration, and the ability to annotate web pages, there is one major feature set that is not going to be included in the initial rollout, extensions. Because of this, some users are ruling out switching until extensions are supported but it’s not just users who aren’t keen on an extensionless browser. Norton Antivirus is asking users to switch their default browser to something other than Edge because of its lack of extensions.
Extensions provide a wide range of features ranging from adblock to security to much more. In Norton’s case they state “Norton extensions protect you from phishing and other risky sites. Click Next to change your default browser to a supported browser so that you are protected while you surf the web.” You can still choose to use Edge as much as you’d like and have it as your default browser but only after this warning from Norton.
Extensions are on the way for Microsoft Edge but they won’t be arriving with the Windows 10 release to the public on July 29. For some users, and apparently Norton as well, extensions are a make or break feature for modern web browsing. Time will tell if the delay to include extensions has a dramatic effect on the adoption of Microsoft Edge.
Thank you Matt for the tip and screenshot.