Microsoft has updated its Edge browser for Mac with several new features, bringing “sleep tabs”, a password generator and monitor, new visual themes and more.
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The “Sleeping tabs” function aims to improve performance by freeing up system resources for inactive or background tabs. The function is optional and can be activated in the browser settings menu.
Meanwhile, the new password generator suggests users a secure and complex password whenever they register for the first time on a website or try to change an existing password. Edge also now notifies users if a password has been compromised in a data breach, which is similar to a feature recently introduced in Apple’s Safari browser.
Elsewhere, 24 new themes offer visual customizations that affect different parts of the browser interface, including tabs, tabbed pages, and the address bar. The Edge development team has partnered with Xbox to provide themes from Microsoft franchises, including Halo, Gears, Forza, Flight Simulator, Sea of Thieves, Grounded, Ori and Will of the Wisps and more.
In addition, sidebar search is now generally available in Microsoft Edge. While browsing web pages, users can highlight a word, right-click, and search. A sidebar with search results will open so you can get quick answers without having to navigate away from your current page.
Automatic profile switching has also reached macOS, as described in the Microsoft blog post:
One of our most beloved features, called Automatic Profile Switching, is making its way to macOS this month. I like to keep my work and personal browsing activities separate, and changing my profile makes it so easy. MacOS now offers the ability to switch sites that authenticate with a user’s work profile, making it easier to switch between service and personal browsing. To get started, check with your local administrator if automatic profile switching is enabled for your organization. If so, sign in with your Microsoft personal and business accounts and you’re ready to go.
Microsoft Edge has gained more users with its frequent feature updates and tight integration of the Microsoft design language with the macOS design language. Tab sync features were recently added, and it was also quick to offer native support for Apple Silicon, bringing optimized performance to M1-chip Macs. The browser can be downloaded from the Microsoft Edge website.