Browser bloat has long been a problem, but now Microsoft is taking steps to address it by speeding up the browser rather than reducing features. The company is enhancing Edge’s user interface responsiveness, beginning with its Browser Essentials menu.

Speed boost for Edge’s Browser Essentials menu

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The Browser Essentials menu, which displays information about Edge’s performance, is now 42 percent faster thanks to a migration to the WebUI 2.0 architecture. This upgrade significantly improves load times, making the menu 76 percent faster on devices without an SSD or with less than 8GB of RAM. A video demonstration shows the improved speed of the Browser Essentials menu on WebUI 2.0 compared to React and WebUI with JavaScript.

Performance enhancements across Edge

In addition to the Browser Essentials menu, Microsoft is also enhancing the speed of Edge’s favorites menu in build 124, making it 40 percent faster. Future updates will bring the WebUI 2.0 upgrade to Edge’s history, downloads, and wallet features, further improving overall performance.

WebUI 2.0: A more modular architecture

Microsoft developed WebUI 2.0 after discovering that many of components used overly large bundles of code. The new architecture addresses this issue by shrinking these bundles and adopting a more modular approach. Microsoft explains, “We now rely on a repository of web components that are tuned for performance on modern web engines,” ensuring a more efficient and responsive user experience.

The future of Edge

While these performance improvements are a welcome change for users who prefer Edge, there is still room for optimizing the browser experience. With the addition of features like Copilot integration and various tools in the sidebar, some users feel that Edge could benefit from shedding a few features to maintain a smooth and streamlined experience.

In summary, Microsoft is making significant strides in improving the speed and responsiveness of Edge’s user interface. By upgrading to WebUI 2.0, the company is addressing browser bloat and ensuring that key features like the Browser Essentials menu load faster. As these enhancements roll out to other parts of the browser, Edge users can look forward to a more efficient browsing experience.