Microsoft remakes Edge desktop browser with Chromium components

Microsoft merges Edge with Chromium-based components and presents a browser for Windows 7, 8.1, 10 and macOS

Microsoft announces the merge between Chromium open source project and Edge browser.

Microsoft announced on December 6th that Chromium open source project would be adapted to Microsoft Edge desktop version.^[1] This change is made because of the web compatibility and web fragmentation, according to the official report from Windows. Another part of this is to become more significant and make more compatible browsers not only Microsoft Edge.

Additionally, the plan includes bringing the browser to other platforms like Mac OS. In this Windows Blog report, Joe Belfiore, Corporate Vice President at Windows stated:

We also expect this work to enable us to bring Microsoft Edge to other platforms like macOS. Improving the web-platform experience for both end users and developers requires that the web platform and the browser be consistently available to as many devices as possible.

Open-source browser implementation used by various browsers

Some browser developers use Chromium as a base for Chrome, Vivaldi, Opera, Brave and many more. In 2008 Google released the code of Chrome browser as an open source, so Chromium became useful by many other browser creators.^[2]

Microsoft mobile browser has been already based on open source, and other features found on open source are working on Microsoft Edge desktop version. So merging these projects together should help to improve the browsing.

Also, another reason to move with this plan is to make it easier for web developers because it allows them to build and test everything against Edge.^[3] This is a feature that all Chromium-based browsers have from the beginning.

Microsoft Edge will be available to other platforms like the Mac operating system. The browser code needs to be evolved and broader, so this goal could be accomplished. It seems that Microsoft is planning to replace EdgeHTML rendering engine with Chromiums' Blink. However, Microsoft doesn't give any technical details.^[4]

A plan for the future

Microsoft plans for the new emphasis and expects to make a technology change in the next year. The whole evolution is planned and includes various changes in development and direction. According to Belfiore, the company is excited about the opportunity to be a part of the community and bring Microsoft forward by making the web better for anyone.

The plan for Microsoft's future contains moving to the Chromium-compatible project for Microsoft Edge on the desktop. This change makes the browser more compatible. Also, other web browser content is planned to make the Chromium-based browsers better on various Windows devices.

The previous announcement about Edge for Android and iOS was more surprising than this.^[5] The Blink rendering engine from Chromium runs these versions alongside WebKit which is the basis of Safari browser. This change also was made for the web developers' advantage in testing, creating and building new products.

Sean Lyndersay, Principal Program Manager Lead of Microsoft Edge in the initial report back in 2017 stated that the feedback from developers is expected and needed:

As any developer can appreciate, testing and learning is a crucial part of launching a new product. It’s something we don’t take lightly. As such, we are beginning with a limited preview to get feedback and learn.