What you need to know
- Microsoft Edge Insider builds are now available for Windows 7, 8, and 8.1.
- Only the Canary channel is available to start.
- This completes Microsoft's platform rollout, following Edge's release for Windows 10 and Mac.
While Windows 10 users were treated to a new Edge Dev channel release today, Microsoft also has some good news for those still using older versions of Windows. A little over two months since it first made its Windows 10 debut, the new Microsoft Edge is now available for testing on Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1.
"Delivering the next version of Microsoft Edge to all supported versions of Windows is part of our goal to improve the web browsing experience for our customers on every device, and to empower developers to build great experiences with less fragmentation," Microsoft said in a blog post announcing the release. "Microsoft Edge will have the same always up-to-date platform and the same developer tools on all supported versions of Windows and macOS."
At the start, Microsoft Edge Insider builds are only available for older versions of Windows on the Canary channel, which sees daily updates. Microsoft says the Dev channel will become available "soon," however. For the most part, the experience should be similar to what testers have already received a taste of on Windows 10 and macOS, too. The only exception is that these initial Canary builds won't have support for a dark mode or Azure Active Directory sign-in. Both are issues Microsoft says it is working on resolving.
With the release of the new Edge built on Chromium for Windows 7, 8, and 8.1, Microsoft has completed its rollout to targeted platforms. This comes after the in-development browser made its debut on macOS last month. It's unclear when we'll see the browser get a full, official release, but Microsoft has yet to open the planned third "Beta" channel, so it likely isn't close.
Still, if you're interested in testing the new Microsoft Edge, it's in a fairly polished state. You can head to the Microsoft Edge Insider site to download the Canary or Dev channels for Windows 10, macOS, or Windows 7, 8, and 8.1.
Affordable accessories that'll pair perfectly with your PC
Every one of these awesome PC accessories will enhance your everyday experience — and none cost more than $30.
KLIM Aim RGB gaming mouse ($30 at Amazon)
Whether you're a gamer or not, this is an absurdly good mouse for the price. It's ambidextrous, has a responsive sensor, a braided cable, tank-like build quality, and, yes, it has RGB lighting, though you can turn it off if that's not your thing.
AmazonBasics USB speakers ($16 at Amazon)
These neat little speakers may only pack 2.4W of total power, but don't let that fool you. For something so small you get a well-rounded sound and a stylish design. And they only cost $16.
Razer mouse bungee ($20 at Amazon)
Use a wired mouse? You need a mouse bungee to keep your cable tidy and free of snags. You get no drag on the cable, and this one has subtle styling, a rust-resistant spring and a weighted base, all for $20.
