- Access to experimental configurations and flags to optimize performance and navigation.
- Integrated productivity tools such as image editing and mobile-PC file transfer.
- Advanced privacy customization, extension management, and search engine switching.
- Synergy with Copilot through autocomplete functions to improve prompt creation.
You probably use Microsoft Edge daily, perhaps because it comes pre-installed on Windows, but chances are you're only taking advantage of a fraction of what this browser can do. Since Microsoft decided to base it on Chromium, the program has made an incredible leap, leaving behind the shadow of Internet Explorer to become an extremely versatile and powerful tool that can make our lives much easier if we know where to look.
It's not just about browsing the web, but about using those hidden corners that don't appear in the main menu. In this sense, there are everything from experimental settings for advanced users to little productivity gems that let you move files between devices in the blink of an eye, saving you time on repetitive or tedious tasks.
Exploring the secret menu: About:flags
If you're curious to try things that haven't been officially released yet, you should check out the Flags section. To access it, simply type about:flags in the address bar and you'll enter a world of options that Microsoft is testing before launching them to the general public. It's where they decide which features will stick and which will be dropped.
Within this menu, you'll find the developer settings section, where you can enable options like viewing the source code or inspecting elements directly by right-clicking. This is fantastic for anyone who wants to explore how the websites they visit are built.
On the other hand, the experimental features are the main attraction. Here you can enable touch function events , which, although designed for tablets, work surprisingly well on standard computers. It's also advisable to explore MSPointer's event interfaces to improve cursor accuracy.
One worthwhile setting is enabling TCP Fast Open . This option helps web pages load faster by optimizing the initial connection, although Microsoft doesn't enable it by default to avoid potential stability issues on some networks.
Maximum productivity: Copilot and autocomplete
If you use Microsoft's AI assistant, there's a trick that will blow your mind: prompt auto-completion. When you start typing a command in Copilot's AI space , the browser automatically begins suggesting text based on the context of what you're writing.
For example, if you write that you need a use case for a Marketing team, Edge will suggest ideas related to advertising campaigns. If you change the term to Human Resources or Legal, the suggestions will instantly adapt to the professional field you specified.
To take advantage of these suggestions without having to type everything out, simply press the Tab key . With that simple touch, the suggested idea is integrated into your prompt, allowing you to generate much richer and more complex content without racking your brain thinking of every word.
Synchronization and quick desktop tools
Moving files between your phone and PC can often be a hassle, but Edge has a Mobile Upload feature . Activating it displays a QR code that, when scanned with your smartphone, lets you send up to 10 files (photos or videos) with a 1GB limit, without needing to install any unusual apps.
If you need something more frequent, Drop is the ideal solution . It's essentially a chat with yourself that syncs files between your computer, tablet, or MacBook. Just look for the paper airplane icon in the sidebar and attach whatever you want; it will magically appear on your other devices.
Even image editing has been simplified. There's no need to open an external editor for quick touch-ups; simply right-click on any image on the web and select Edit Image . From there, you can crop, apply filters, or adjust colors completely free of charge and quickly.
Privacy, Performance, and Personalization
In the advanced settings section, we can take full control of our privacy. One very useful option is Do Not Track , which requests websites not to track our browsing habits. For an extra layer of security, you can complement this by using incognito mode correctly to prevent local data from being saved.
For those who don't fully trust Microsoft's telemetry, the best option is to disable Cortana's help and page prediction. Additionally, you can manage notifications from each website to avoid being bombarded with annoying alerts while you're working.
If Bing doesn't suit your search engine, don't worry, you can change it in the advanced settings. Simply set Google as your default search engine or visit Yahoo, and Edge will detect them and let you select them as your preferred option.
Regarding cleanup, the Clear browsing data option allows you to delete cookies, cache, and history. A very practical tip is to check the box so that this data is automatically deleted every time you close the browser, thus keeping your system clean and private.
Extending your browser with extensions and themes
Unlike in the days of Internet Explorer, Edge now supports a huge variety of add-ons. Through the Windows Store, you can install extensions like Save to Pocket, LastPass, or PageAnalyzer , which add features that the browser doesn't include by default.
Finally, we can't forget aesthetics. From the settings menu, you can choose between a light or dark theme to adapt the interface to your liking or the lighting in your room, thus avoiding eye strain during nighttime browsing sessions.
Mastering these tools, from accessing experimental flags and managing privacy to intelligently using Copilot and transferring files with Drop, completely transforms the user experience, turning a simple browser into an optimized and highly efficient workstation.
