New Edge browser in Windows is just ...wow! 🤬

[ian87w]

What a ***ing ***show. Microsoft is back to their old dirty tactics and it's worse than ever. This has been blowing up in Windows circles apparently, but I was only half aware of it before succumbing. For those not in the know, this is what Microsoft did:

1. Pushed a major (and terrible) new version of its (now Chromium-based) Edge browser through software update in a way that was almost forced or at least not at all clear what the update was or entailed.
2. The update deleted the old version (which was just fine for my needs, and quite fast), and there is (apparently) no way to revert to it unless you had a full system snapshot before it updated (I didn't).
3. Aside from being terrible, bloated and slow (hey, it's Chromium), the new browser pushes Bing search and Microsoft news feeds incessantly.
4. It's not at all clear how to set up things like a custom page for new tabs and/or change the default search engine. I'm guessing it's possible, but it appeared to be deliberately obfuscated and it didn't keep my preferences from the previous version.
5. When I tried to unfollow every one of the stupid news feeds it said: "Because you unfollowed every feed, it has been reset to the default".
6. After trying to turn off the Microsoft tracking and news-feed features, and deleting the shortcut from the desktop, I found it had reset settings and reinstalled the shortcut.
7. It won't let you uninstall the browser. Sure others are available (like Brave etc), but dirty Edge will always be there.

I may (and do) complain about Apple sometimes (nay a lot) but I do so because I have very high standards, and I make no apologies for that. But while I had been mostly happy with Windows 10 of late (despite such things as putting ads in the Start menu), this behaviour and this new browser made me realise just how much better the experience is in Apple. Even at their worst (annoying update notifications) Apple is still light-years ahead of the kind of contempt Microsoft has for its users. Steve Jobs was right when he said Microsoft has no taste. I wonder if the boffins calling the shots on these decisions realise or care how much they piss off users; or whether it's just the money and tracking that prevails.

This one terrible experience put an immediate end to my curiosity in Windows hardware, and frankly, the Windows operating system too. I deleted Windows from my Mac for now as a result. It even made me feel good that Apple was ditching Windows support (natively at least) when I was previously one of its staunchest defenders.

I sure hope anyone from Apple who reads this will take note about the kind of things that are bad for users, but I don't think they need much in the way of advice. I'm looking forward to Big Sur and will likely install one of the public betas, since I'm not using my Mac for any critical work right now.

The new Microsoft Edge imo is the best thing ever happened to Windows. I no longer need to download an extra browser. In fact, I was intentionally installing it prior to it being pushed as part of Windows update, and always wondered why Microsoft didn't just push this on Windows update.

Changing the default search is as simple as any browser. Not sure why you think it's "obfuscated." Imo, the old Edge is actually worse and made it harder to switch to different search engine.

I really like the new Edge. I even used it on my Android phone now, replacing Brave.

 

[throAU]

I am considering migrating to LTSB to get up to 10 years of security updates.

The problem with LTSB is that it does not support hardware released after the release of the OS.

We ran into this issue at work where newer chipsets than Skylake (IIRC) would not run with LTSB 1502(?).

If you're unwilling to take what Microsoft shove down your throat, you really need to be looking at alternative platforms because fighting against the tide isn't going to work long term.

 

[Bandaman]

The new Microsoft Edge imo is the best thing ever happened to Windows. I no longer need to download an extra browser. In fact, I was intentionally installing it prior to it being pushed as part of Windows update, and always wondered why Microsoft didn't just push this on Windows update.

Changing the default search is as simple as any browser. Not sure why you think it's "obfuscated." Imo, the old Edge is actually worse and made it harder to switch to different search engine.

I really like the new Edge. I even used it on my Android phone now, replacing Brave.

There's literally nothing complicated about Edge. The fact that it has a built in ad blocker on the mobile version is also super nice. It's compatible with all Chrome extensions and whatever Microsoft has done has made it feel so much more stable than Chrome. It's really a great browser.

 

[Shirasaki]

The problem with LTSB is that it does not support hardware released after the release of the OS.

We ran into this issue at work where newer chipsets than Skylake (IIRC) would not run with LTSB 1502(?).

If you're unwilling to take what Microsoft shove down your throat, you really need to be looking at alternative platforms because fighting against the tide isn't going to work long term.

I guess I will upgrade hardware less often to counter that. Good for my wallet and good for environment.

More often than not, critical applications are the major hindrance for people to migrate to other platforms.

 

[simonmet]

I quite like the new Edge. The old one was slow, didn't support Adblock at all, and the icon just resembled Internet Explorer's.

If anyone should be upset, it's that fact that Internet Explorer 9.0 still exists in Windows 10, and even supports modern sites (since no site seems to declare IE as 'evil' anymore and doesn't obsolete it)

New Edge not just supports Adblock, it also supports gesture navigation via touchpad just like on a Mac running Safari. I have wished for Win10 to offer such gesture controls since it released. It was one vital thing missing on Windows when I went from my Mac to PC (and scrolling was reversed--now fixed)

Granted my new HP 15c isn't a Mac, it costs literally 1/3 the cost of one, but it has an SSD, AMD Ryzen 5, Vega graphics and 8GB of RAM. I have also disabled 'auto update' (via my router and in the registry-it's not hard folks!) so it was MY CHOICE to try the new Edge and I love it personally. Equally on par with Safari on Catalina for me.

BTW With Windows update deleted (it's not just turned off since it just turns back on, I've actually taken ownership of all Windows folders and deleted the *.EXE files involved with it) I use the update assistant app to do any updates after exhaustive research and deciding if I even need anything it offers. The Update Assistant also allows rollback of an update should it break anything or do any unnecessary change.

Changing the permissions of C:\Windows and Windows\system32 isn't hard. A search and you find tons of articles describing how you take ownership of folders/files. The ones you want to delete are:

1. Tasksch.exe
2. wupdate.exe
3. updatenotifier.exe

Unlike Windows XP and 2000, those files apparently no longer spawn back from the system file checker upon deletion--they stay deleted. Windows will show that it failed to check for updates in settings, but while it claims 'it will try again at a later time' it can't. The files are gone. Make sure you remove any permissions from 'TrustedInstaller' 'System' and anything other than 'Administrators'. Remove 'everyone' completely as system level crap can pose as 'everyone'. Do the same for 'users'.

There's some registry magic for even tighter control and allowing 'un-disable-able' services to be turned off and disabled and bypasses the 'the parameter is incorrect' errors. This is something I learned a lot from when trying to max performance from gaming PCs. I also disabled Windows Defender since it chews so much CPU and hogs one of my GPU cores.

And yes, while far more difficult, you CAN disable Cortana.

If you don't like messing with system files you can block them at your router--the updates that is. Assuming you're using a Netgear router (mine's a NightHawk AC1900) you log into the IP address in a browser that's your default gateway (mine's 10.0.0.1) and enter 'admin' as username and your Wifi password as 'password'. Go to the 'advanced' tab, and then click 'security' on the left side. Then on the sub-menu, click 'block sites'. Type these into the keyword/domain window

Windowsupdate.com
Windowsupdate.microsoft.com
microsoft.com (blocks Bing and feed from working BTW)
microsoftupdate.com
update.com
updates
system updates
windows
update
updater
updated
update available (these last few are just a precaution just in case!)

Click 'allow all' in the top part, there's three radio buttons. Then click 'save'. Don't worry the router doesn't have to restart. Then if you even try to do a search or load any site with the above words listed, it shows 'blocked by netgear firewall' instead of loading. This also causes any background update service to fail since it's unable to lookup the site to grab updates from. So if you love old Edge so much, do that!

Thanks for this informative post.

While we can agree to disagree about the new Edge, I might try the firewall blocking of forced updates, because I think I heard or had a feeling it was possible but didn’t feel it necessary for my needs, until now.

 

[nickdalzell1]

Just keep in mind that if you use a laptop that you travel with, those firewall blocks only work on your own personal wifi--they are not effective once you use public and/or other private wifi access points, and outside your own network, the updates will resume. That's why I personally deleted the system files for updates since my laptop goes where I go

 

[Erehy Dobon]

While I am a longtime Windows end user (20+ years), that time has mostly been spent in a corporate environment where the IT department controlled updates.

Today I am the recent owner of actual Wintel PC hardware and find myself dealing with managing Windows upgrades.

I am currently feigning a metered network connection to thwart automatic Windows 10 upgrade downloads on my Windows 10 Home notebook PC. Today I downloaded all of the latest Windows 10 version 1909 updates and reset the clock for another 31 or 33 days or whatever it is to delay the installation of version 2004.

In the next day or two, I will make another Windows 7 system image snapshot of my system. I really wish Windows wasn't such a PITA.

I figure at some point Microsoft will force feed me their dogchow at the most unsuspecting and inconvenient moment. (sigh)

 

[bousozoku]

While I am a longtime Windows end user (20+ years), that time has mostly been spent in a corporate environment where the IT department controlled updates.

Today I am the recent owner of actual Wintel PC hardware and find myself dealing with managing Windows upgrades.

I am currently feigning a metered network connection to thwart automatic Windows 10 upgrade downloads on my Windows 10 Home notebook PC. Today I downloaded all of the latest Windows 10 version 1909 updates and reset the clock for another 31 or 33 days or whatever it is to delay the installation of version 2004.

In the next day or two, I will make another Windows 7 system image snapshot of my system. I really wish Windows wasn't such a PITA.

I figure at some point Microsoft will force feed me their dogchow at the most unsuspecting and inconvenient moment. (sigh)

One night, my Omen by HP Windows 10 machine had been fine when I went to sleep and was empty when I awakened. Apparently, an update caused Windows 10 to eat itself. I have been recovering and barely using the machine since December.

I got it to where it was usable again, switched the hard drive for an SSD, to complement the M.2 drive, and after trying to use it, I found that it wouldn't restart or shut down.

I tried some updates and cleaned the Registry and it came back saying that it could not find a boot drive. 😁 😁 😁 😁

I've got a restoration disk and drive on the way because it can't find either drive.

People think that Catalina is problematic. Windows 10 has been out for a few years.

 

[nickdalzell1]

it's easiest to just take ownership of windows and windows\system folders and simply remove all permissions other than 'Administrators' (you, basically) and updates will fail without TrustedInstaller and System permissions anyway.

The metered connection trick doesn't work. it still does 'smaller' updates including browser upgrades. Otherwise it just delays the inevitable.

I don't avoid updates out of fear of things breaking, I avoid them because I hate unnecessary UI design changes. iOS 7 started it, Yosemite finished it. I no longer believe in updates aside a couple old Android apps that insist on their latest versions being installed all the time (Little Caeser's and Wal-Mart, I'm talking to you!)

Best way of avoiding the nagging and insistence on updating is to just use older stuff. I tend to keep older 2010-2014 smartphones which are long out of support, so even newer apps can only load their last supported version, which means that even those two mentioned apps can't force updates on me. They still work.

 

[Erehy Dobon]

One night, my Omen by HP Windows 10 machine had been fine when I went to sleep and was empty when I awakened. Apparently, an update caused Windows 10 to eat itself. I have been recovering and barely using the machine since December.

I got it to where it was usable again, switched the hard drive for an SSD, to complement the M.2 drive, and after trying to use it, I found that it wouldn't restart or shut down.

I tried some updates and cleaned the Registry and it came back saying that it could not find a boot drive. 😁 😁 😁 😁

I've got a restoration disk and drive on the way because it can't find either drive.

People think that Catalina is problematic. Windows 10 has been out for a few years.

A.) That's why I make Windows 7 system image snapshots

B.) That's also why Catalina isn't my primary boot OS. I have it running on an external SSD but my internal boot drive is still Mojave. Catalina is still a POS.

I realize that my metered Internet connection gambit won't fool Microsoft forever. I'm just trying to buy some time.

However with COVID-19 #ShelterInPlace it's easier to flag a network connection as metered since I am not hauling my Windows notebook PC all over the place.

Best way of avoiding the nagging and insistence on updating is to just use older stuff. I tend to keep older 2010-2014 smartphones which are long out of support, so even newer apps can only load their last supported version, which means that even those two mentioned apps can't force updates on me. They still work.

One thing for sure, your 2014 device with its integrated GPU isn't going to run today's VR applications particularly well.

I own this current year Acer Swift 3 because it has a Thunderbolt 3 port and can drive an eGPU with a GeForce GTX 2070 Super. Sometimes peoples' usage cases evolve.

 

[nickdalzell1]

Who's 2014 notebook? My HP is from 2020. I don't claim nor endorse any gaming prowess. I bought it to play games that my Mac cannot since Catalina needlessly dumped 32-bit support. I still enjoy me some Half Life and Portal 2, among others. Fallout 3 or New Vegas? not possible except on 32-bit Windows 10 support. All of those run fine on any modern integrated GPU provided you're not stuck with Intel HD graphics (awful)

 

[Erehy Dobon]

This is a forum about Windows. We're not talking about 2014 smartphones like you digressed to.

You went off on a tangent about a totally different platform then backtracked and admitted that you are using a super-modern PC notebook computer.

Please try to stay on topic, agreed? If you want to blab about your favorite old geriatric smartphones, there's a forum elsewhere for that. But not here.

 

[Tucom]

How do they come up with this stuff! 🤣

How do you? This is all neurotic drivel. And none of it's true to this degree at all and WAY blown out of proportion. Edge is fantastic, lightweight and incredibly responsive. More so, everyone, literally everyone in the Windows world - and those not even 'in the circle who know' this stuff, knew about it. Furthermore, the old Edge is still there, there's other browsers you can try, and there's nothing hidden or 'nasty' about Edge.

It's like your house got burned down, when in fact you're losing your mind over a WEB browser... on a wonderful platform with great hardware out there used by many for many reasons be it gaming, music or data research.

This post is the equivalent of putting the Hubble telescope over a grain of sand.

Oh and btw - your POINTS?! Dude -

- Bing search engine is REMOVABLE from Edge, let alone the fact you can switch it to whatever you want.

- You can disable all feeds so its a beautiful (and quite frankly neat, original idea from MSFT) photo that loads up on launch, and nothing more.

- You can disable any and all 'tracking' things that every other browser has.........

- It's far more 'secure' and less 'data sucking' than Chrome.

- It's a fantastic browser, and finally if you don't nor couldn't figure out the most basic of things within the program for customizing the settings, which I figured out in mere seconds, then you're not quite eligible to make these complaints anyways. You can shout all you want, but figure it out first before screaming that a toaster won't make you coffee.
[automerge]1595130175[/automerge]

Also FYI the 'new' Edge also supports native Adblock on Android as well. That and Samsung's Internet browser. Odd world where Microsoft is a better option than Google on an OS Developed by, well, Google...

Thanks to the extension support and the updated gesture controls, I oftentimes forget I'm not using a Mac when I'm using my HP PC because I got them both sorta configured the same way (same apps, dock/taskbar layout roughly the same).

Well they're bring their "OS Shell", or "UI Shell" rather to Android via their flippable phone device, so it only makes sense. It's a full conversion suite that their browser needs to properly be at home on, so there you go.
[automerge]1595130274[/automerge]

The new Microsoft Edge imo is the best thing ever happened to Windows. I no longer need to download an extra browser. In fact, I was intentionally installing it prior to it being pushed as part of Windows update, and always wondered why Microsoft didn't just push this on Windows update.

Changing the default search is as simple as any browser. Not sure why you think it's "obfuscated." Imo, the old Edge is actually worse and made it harder to switch to different search engine.

I really like the new Edge. I even used it on my Android phone now, replacing Brave.

Seriously, these posts are just crazy. Like literally crazy. As in, I stubbed my toe and will now hammer a hole in the wall "d****it* crazy, lmao. Just weird.

 

[Bandaman]

Seriously, these posts are just crazy. Like literally crazy. As in, I stubbed my toe and will now hammer a hole in the wall "d****it* crazy, lmao. Just weird.

I agree with everything he said.

 

[simonmet]

To the above two posters @Tucom and @Bandaman , it’s symptomatic of an attitude that many, many in the Windows world have much criticised since the launch of Windows 10; and to a certain extent even towards the end of Windows 8. As someone who has self-professed about your knowledge of the Windows world, surely I don’t need to highlight this or provide examples/proof.

Just because it’s ok for you to not have control over the operating system; or at least that Microsoft is hell bent on taking away that control and making it as difficult as possible to control (especially for Home users), doesn’t mean it’s ok for everyone else.

I respect your opinions, but ask that you respect mine and those other posters in this thread who share similar concerns and frustrations; and not resort to such terms as “crazy”.

It makes me laugh a bit when people report that automatic updates in Windows have caused them to lose work, maybe even hours worth; and then you get people like those above coming out and defending Windows and criticising the end user. Yes they could’ve saved more often (or even automatically like macOS offers) but that does *not* excuse the behaviour.

 

[Bandaman]

To the above two posters, it’s symptomatic of an attitude that many, many in the Windows world have much criticised since the launch of Windows 10 and to a certain extent towards the end of Windows 8. As someone who has self-professed about your knowledge of the Windows world, surely I don’t need to highlight this or provide examples/proof.

Just because it’s ok for you to not have control over the operating system (or at least that Microsoft is hell bent on taking away that control and making it as difficult as possible to control, especially for Home users), doesn’t mean it’s ok for everyone else.

I respect your opinions but ask that you respect mine and those other posters in this thread who share similar concerns and frustrations; and not resort to such terms as “crazy”.

It makes me laugh a bit when people report that automatic updates in Windows have caused them to lose work, maybe even hours worth; and then you get people like those above coming out and defending Windows and criticising the end user. Yes they could’ve saved more often (or even automatically like macOS offers) but that does *not* excuse the behaviour.

This topic is about Microsoft Edge dude. Windows is still a steaming pile of buggy trash. It’s nice to see at least one piece of Microsoft software that is decent. It’s not just decent in Windows, it’s decent in iOS and macOS. Microsoft, like Apple, finally has a default browser that’s actually worth using, which is the topic. I’m not sure how you managed to personalize everything and include me in your tirade because I agree with you that Windows was, is, and continues to be a nightmare. Having updates that can possibly wipe your entire drive for no reason is not acceptable for a corporation such as Microsoft. It’s why I’ve turned updates completely off and if for some reason I want to test the waters and update, I make a clone of my entire drive first in case it’s yet another drive-wiping patch from Microsoft. I’m not defending Microsoft. But the opposite is unhelpful, which is blindly hating something simply because it’s Microsoft. Granted, they deserve the hate, but I still give things a chance. At least with Edge, Microsoft is actually listening and tweaking the browser to customer needs. I wish they’d put this much attention and focus on Windows, where it seems all user reported bugs are ignored entirely.

 

[Tucom]

I agree with everything he said.

Well that makes two of you then, have a nice day.

 

[Bandaman]

Well that makes two of you then, have a nice day.

Thanks! You too! 😁

 

[simonmet]

I didn’t say Apple hasn’t screwed up. Of course they have. I even pointed to their annoying update “nagifications”. But they have never resorted to forcing updates on users as far as I’m aware (and especially not forced restarts). Nor prevented them from using software they’re comfortable and familiar with on their existing OS version.

PS, for those who are interested, the 2004 installer does not contain the new Chromium Edge. It is installed later in a supplemental update to 2004. So, using some of the tips generously provided by one of the more reasonable and helpful commentators above, I can hopefully prevent or at least slow its eventual installation.

What’s funny is that Windows 10 still lets you install IE 11 as an optional package, but decided not to do that for the new Edge, even though it’s a completely new browser, just like Edge was compared to IE.

Unfortunately, Microsoft being Microsoft, they’ve removed the (now former) Edge’s extensions.

 

[MacDaddyPanda]

I know not everyone's setup isn't the same, but what are those people running that Windows Update always seems to mess up their system. I can't recall that happening to me on Windows 10 and I've been using Windows since XP days. Windows 10 has been the most trouble free OS for my experience. But reading all these articles I am holding off on the 2004 update. But still. Most of the time if my Windows system gets messed up it was caused by me installing some 3rd party software.

But yeah the current version of Edge. Any issue is easily mitigated because for all intents and purposes it's a mirror to Chrome in terms of settings and UI.

And as others have stated already the OS experience is hit or miss depending on your own setup.

 

[Erehy Dobon]

I know not everyone's setup isn't the same, but what are those people running that Windows Update always seems to mess up their system. I can't recall that happening to me on Windows 10 and I've been using Windows since XP days. Windows 10 has been the most trouble free OS for my experience. But reading all these articles I am holding off on the 2004 update. But still. Most of the time if my Windows system gets messed up it was caused by me installing some 3rd party software.

Microsoft themselves keep a running list of reasons of what might be an issue in upgrading to 2004. There are currently eight upgrade blocks in place. There were more upgrade blocks when 2004 was first released and some of those blocks have been listed when the issue was resolved.

The major Windows/PC sites all have covered in depth the multitude of issues with version 2004, some of which have workarounds, others which are unresolved to date. Just read BleepingComputer, PCWorld, Tom's Hardware, Windows Central, TechRadar, whatever. The coverage is pretty ample.

Also noteworthy is that some issues arise after the 2004 upgrade that Microsoft had not identified in advance.

Have Synaptics audio hardware in your PC? That's two blocks currently in place for Windows 10 version 2004 (a.k.a. May 2020 update).

Stuff like that.

I received the new Microsoft Edge with the most recent 1909 cumulative update; I waited for Microsoft to force feed it to me rather than to download it as an opt-in addition. I let the operating system flag it as the default browser but I don't use it myself when I surf the 'net.

 

[JT2002TJ]

I'm running Window 10 2004 on my computer. It is the fastest smoothest OS I have ever used. I was hesitant to switch over to the new Edge (from Chrome), it is just as good as everything was with Chrome (other than the icon image, I can't really tell the difference).

There were four things I had to address after the install of 2004:
1) I had to change my default view in windows explorer back to details
2) I had to turn back on the navigation pane in windows explorer
3) I have an Echo spot connected as a line in, I had to redo re-enable the line in
4) I had to set my speakers back to Medium (small/Medium/Large) size

This took me <15 minutes to address, and I am back to how I like everything.

Specs:
Dell Optiplex 9020
Intel Core i7-4790 CPU @ 3.60 GHz
RAM 32 GB
64-bit
1 TB SSD primary
4 TB Secondary drive (apps installed on this drive whenever possible)

I am not a gamer, am using the dual Display ports on the motherboards video card, and the built in sound card.

 

[solomonwood]

I quite like the new Edge. The old one was slow, didn't support Adblock at all, and the icon just resembled Internet Explorer's.

If anyone should be upset, it's that fact that Internet Explorer 9.0 still exists in Windows 10, and even supports modern sites (since no site seems to declare IE as 'evil' anymore and doesn't obsolete it)

New Edge not just supports Adblock, it also supports gesture navigation via touchpad just like on a Mac running Safari. I have wished for Win10 to offer such gesture controls since it released. It was one vital thing missing on Windows when I went from my Mac to PC (and scrolling was reversed--now fixed)

Granted my new HP 15c isn't a Mac, it costs literally 1/3 the cost of one, but it has an SSD, AMD Ryzen 5, Vega graphics and 8GB of RAM. I have also disabled 'auto update' (via my router and in the registry-it's not hard folks!) so it was MY CHOICE to try the new Edge and I love it personally. Equally on par with Safari on Catalina for me.

BTW With Windows update deleted (it's not just turned off since it just turns back on, I've actually taken ownership of all Windows folders and deleted the *.EXE files involved with it) I use the update assistant app to do any updates after exhaustive research and deciding if I even need anything it offers. The Update Assistant also allows rollback of an update should it break anything or do any unnecessary change.

Changing the permissions of C:\Windows and Windows\system32 isn't hard. A search and you find tons of articles describing how you take ownership of folders/files. The ones you want to delete are:

1. Tasksch.exe
2. wupdate.exe
3. updatenotifier.exe

Unlike Windows XP and 2000, those files apparently no longer spawn back from the system file checker upon deletion--they stay deleted. Windows will show that it failed to check for updates in settings, but while it claims 'it will try again at a later time' it can't. The files are gone. Make sure you remove any permissions from 'TrustedInstaller' 'System' and anything other than 'Administrators'. Remove 'everyone' completely as system level crap can pose as 'everyone'. Do the same for 'users'.

There's some registry magic for even tighter control and allowing 'un-disable-able' services to be turned off and disabled and bypasses the 'the parameter is incorrect' errors. This is something I learned a lot from when trying to max performance from gaming PCs. I also disabled Windows Defender since it chews so much CPU and hogs one of my GPU cores.

And yes, while far more difficult, you CAN disable Cortana.

If you don't like messing with system files you can block them at your router--the updates that is. Assuming you're using a Netgear router (mine's a NightHawk AC1900) you log into the IP address in a browser that's your default gateway (mine's 10.0.0.1) and enter 'admin' as username and your Wifi password as 'password'. Go to the 'advanced' tab, and then click 'security' on the left side. Then on the sub-menu, click 'block sites'. Type these into the keyword/domain window

Windowsupdate.com
Windowsupdate.microsoft.com
microsoft.com (blocks Bing and feed from working BTW)
microsoftupdate.com
update.com
updates
system updates
windows
update
updater
updated
update available (these last few are just a precaution just in case!)

Click 'allow all' in the top part, there's three radio buttons. Then click 'save'. Don't worry the router doesn't have to restart. Then if you even try to do a search or load any site with the above words listed, it shows 'blocked by netgear firewall' instead of loading. This also causes any background update service to fail since it's unable to lookup the site to grab updates from. So if you love old Edge so much, do that!

The fact that Internet Explorer 9 is still supported is rather useful, as I have an old laptop that uses Windows Vista

 

[throttlemeister]

I have quite literally run every version of Windows starting with 3.0. From Windows 95 on, I have used it from the first beta, to the RC's and final releases. I always just upgraded from those versions and never clean installed unless there was an architectural change involved (ie DOS to NT kernel-based and x86 to x86-64). Currently I am running Windows 10 insider beta channel on release 20H2, so the next version. I have honest to God never, ever had problems with Windows like people complain about, despite just upgrading over upgrades or running pre-release versions. Not ever. And while I work in IT, I am not some magic Microsoft wizzard (I am a unix guy actually). However I do buy proper hardware and I don't do stupid stuff. From my experience, most, as in the vast majority, problems with Windows are actually of the PICNIC catagory.

Back on topic, Edge: it is objectively leaner and faster than Chrome. It is more secure, less intrusive and doesn't collect half your life to send to Google. It is basically Chrome as Chrome would (should) be without Google involved. I would say it is the best mainstream browser at the moment. The only reasons not to use it are of personal nature, not technical.

 

[nickdalzell1]

The new Edge does do one annoying thing at work. What used to be a one-step process now takes two/three. Going to print a PDF file you are viewing in the browser seems to default to 'save as PDF' instead of defaulting to the primary printer, which in this case is an HP OfficeJet. So now the boss has to go and select the printer to print a PDF every. single. time.

Other than that it definitely works great.

To the Vista user above, I recommend getting the last supported FireFox version over IE 9. IE was always the de-facto gateway for malware and the fact that most sites don't blacklist it surprises me. Can't use a 2010 era Firefox on any modern site, but IE from that time will work fine sans formatting errors. That's because Internet Explorer isn't even looked at by any script looking for a user agent string since IE's been so hated for so long most scripts don't even list it. So IE keeps on trucking along, for better or worse.