Skip to main content

Microsoft Edge 91 rolls out with new sleeping tabs and startup boost

At this week’s Build 2021 developers conference, Microsoft is highlighting two performance-boosting features in Microsoft Edge version 91: Sleeping tabs and a startup boost. The company also pointed to several milestone moments for the browser.

With the startup boost feature, Edge is now able to respond more quickly by running a set of core Edge processes in the background without adding additional resources when existing windows are open. The feature can help you jump back into the action quickly after turning your PC back on.

Related Videos

With sleeping tabs, meanwhile, Microsoft Edge works better when multiple tabs are being used simultaneously. Under the hood, Edge frees up system resources from unused tabs. The feature was previously available in version 90 of Edge, but Microsoft says it is now even more optimized. Sleeping Tabs can now provide up to 82% memory savings based upon Microsoft’s internal data.

While those are the heavy-hitting features for consumers, Microsoft shared some updates on the developer side of the web browser. Since last year’s Build, Microsoft says it contributed over 5,300 commits to the open-source Chromium project. It also worked with developers to bring more Progressive Web Apps to the Microsoft Store, in three easy steps. Finally, Microsoft also has plans in place to help those who might be impacted by the retirement of Internet Explorer 11.

“Since last Build, the Microsoft Edge platform continues to empower developers with the latest tools ready for today’s evolving web landscape. We hope you enjoy Microsoft Build this year and feel energized by all the new developer innovations,” said Microsoft.

Edge 91 is rolling out this week. You can download the update today by hitting the three right-facing dots next to your profile icon, choosing Settings, going to About Microsoft Edge, and then restarting the browser.

If you’re interested in trying out these features before a general public release, you can do so easily by joining the Microsoft Edge Insider program. Just visit Microsoft’s website and choose a channel. The Dev Channel is usually the most stable, while the Canary gets features at a fast pace. Release schedules line up with what Google has done with its own Chrome web browser.

Editors' Recommendations

Microsoft’s Bing Chat waitlist is gone — how to sign up now
Microsoft Edge browser showing Bing Chat on an iPhone.

It appears Microsoft is doing away with the long Bing Chat waitlist. As originally reported by Windows Central, new users who sign up for the waitlist are immediately given access to the AI chatbot, without having to wait, and Digital Trends has confirmed this to be the case.

Microsoft hasn't officially killed the waitlist, but it should go away in short order. On Tuesday, Microsoft bolstered OpenAI's launch of the GPT-4 model by confirming that it was the model behind Bing Chat. Microsoft is also set to host an AI-focused event on Thursday, where we expect to hear about AI integrations in Microsoft's Office apps like Word and PowerPoint. It's possible Microsoft could remove the waitlist during the presentation.

Read more
The most common Chromebook problems and how to fix them
A person working on a Toshiba Chromebook.

Chromebooks are great alternatives to MacBooks and Windows 10 laptops, but they aren’t perfect. Any laptop computer is bound to have issues, and some of the most common problems faced by Chromebook users can feel difficult or even impossible to solve on their own. 

From issues with updates to internet connectivity, troubleshooting common Chromebook problems doesn’t have to ruin your day. Read on to discover easy fixes for the most frequent issues Chromebook users face. 
The Diagnostics app

Read more
Edge Copilot finally delivers on Microsoft’s Bing Chat promises
Here's Microsoft's example of how Bing chat will work in the future.

Microsoft is finally making the version of Bing Chat we heard about in February a reality. The latest version of Microsoft Edge (111.0.1661.41) includes the Bing Copoilot sidebar, which allows you to chat, generate AI content, and get insights into topics powered by AI.

This is the form of Bing Chat Microsoft originally pitched. Since its launch, the chat portion of Bing Chat has been available through a waitlist that, according to Microsoft, has amassed millions of sign-ups. However, Microsoft also talked about Bing Copilot, which would live in the Edge sidebar and open up the possibility of generating emails, blog posts, and more, as well as provide context for whatever web page you were on.

Read more