Edge – whether your computer came with Windows 10 pre-installed or you chose (or were bullied) into upgrading, you would have by now come across “Edge”.
Its icon looks very similar to the traditional Internet Explorer icon  – but with an added quiff :

What is Edge?
Edge is the new “super browser” in Windows 10, replacing (or at least trying to) the old Internet Explorer.

So, why is it so “super”? According to Microsoft:

Write on the web
“Write, type and doodle directly on your web page with Web Note, then share your notes with others.

Microsoft Edge is the only browser that lets you take notes, write, doodle and highlight directly on web pages. Then you can save and share your handiwork in all the usual ways. Make notes on recipes, send your partner “subtle hints” about birthday gifts, or just draw moustaches on celebrities – the web is your canvas.”

Details on how to share (incl. twitter and other social media), because this is really our most favourite Edge feature, but not actually that intuitive, can be found here.

Read distraction- free
“Don’t let the web get in the way of a good read. Reading View sweeps distracting content out of your way so you can read only what you want. Select Hub to view your favourites, reading list, browsing history and current downloads.”

If you cannot find your favourites, just import them by going to “Hub”, “Favourites”, “Import Favourites”.

Taking your reading with you
“Reading list in Microsoft Edge gives you a place to save articles or other content that you want to read later – on the bus, over the weekend – whenever you like. You’ll see your reading list on all your Windows 10 devices when you sign in with a Microsoft account.”

Admittedly, this is another nifty Edge feature you can access through the “Hub” / “Reading List”.

Search faster
Integrated closely with Cortana, – still the most unused but best feature in Windows 10 – it could indeed make browsing quicker, but we have not seen any real difference compared to Chrome and Firefox – the speed really much more depends on your internet connection.

But, Internet Explorer did get a lot of stick for being slow, so good on Microsoft to address the issue – although, at least Internet Explorer was reliable and actually worked…

What are the problems?

1. Edge just really isn’t that reliable yet
2. lots of our customers have reported intermittent problems with printing
3. Edge takes over PDF documents
4. most of our customers found the layout confusing and did not like the new look

These might of course be teething problems of this fairly new browser, but ultimately you lost us at problem number 1.

Do I have to use EDGE?
The simple answer is “NO” – you can still use Internet Explorer (or any other browser for that matter), you just need to find it!

To change your main browser back to Internet Explorer:

Type “default programs” into Cortana to get to the default programme settings, scroll down to the browser option and simply choose Internet Explorer (or Firefox or Chrome, any browser installed on your computer).

To get Adobe Reader back, simply re-install from here – make sure to untick the “optional offers” (unless you want them!) – it will simply reset to open pdf documents from now on. If, for whatever reason, it does not, just right click on a pdf document and choose “open with” – then pick Adobe Reader (rather than “Reader” which is Microsoft’s own reader or Edge) and make sure “always open files this way” is selected.

Or just call us – we are happy to help and answer any questions or make the changes for you!

Have PC Harmony, so you can get on with the more important things in life!