Updated: July 15, 2020 (May 18, 2015)

Windows Web Browser Roadmap

Wes Miller analyzes and writes about Microsoft’s security, identity management, and systems management technologies. Before joining Directions on Microsoft, Wes... more

Windows 10 will include two separate browsers to meet the needs of consumers who desire support for the latest standards and businesses that require support for applications designed for Internet Explorer (IE). While IE11 will be subtly enhanced to look and feel more like the rest of the OS, and be included in Windows 10, the default browser will be Edge (formerly code-named Project Spartan), a lightweight browser that jettisons much of IE’s legacy to focus on competing with Google’s Chrome and Mozilla’s Firefox. As IE is deemphasized, businesses should begin targeting new applications to Edge or other modern browsers.

(This report updates one published Apr. 13, 2015. It includes new information on IE Enterprise Mode, the new Edge browser’s official name, and more information on the new browser’s plug-in model.)

Edge for Modern Websites

Windows 10 will ship in the second half of 2015 with Edge as the default browser. Edge is not expected to be made available for older versions of Windows or platforms other than Windows.

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