Well, Microsoft Edge has become even worse.
It started out with good intentions, but Microsoft can’t help itself.
I really wanted to like Microsoft Edge.
I switched to using it on my desktop PC and my Android phone—evenrecommending it to others.
However, as time has gone on,that’s been harder to justify.
The dream of a Chrome-like net surf tool without all of Google’s bloat seems dead.
In fact, that was one of the reasons why I decided to give it a try.
It’s sadly a common thing in modern browsers, apps, and other types of software.
Instagram is one of the most well-known examples of feature creep.
It used to be a very simple app all about posting photos.
Now it’s a bloated amalgamation of the old Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and Facebook.
Microsoft has been adding a lot of just plain unnecessary things.
That has continued—albeit a bit slower—in 2022.
Let’s take a look at some of the most egregious additions.
Edgehas the ability to give loans.
Microsoft partnered withZipfor this feature, and it’s probably taking a cut from the transactions.
Remember playing games on MSN?
Well,you’ve got the option to play those games in Edge.
The actual games are played on a webpage, not in the web app.
Reviews are a great way to learn about a product before you buy it.
When you checkout at some online retailers, you may see a pop-up with coupons and reviews.
A potentially useful idea, but probably not what you expect from your web client.
One of the most recent additions is avisual search feature.
Essentially, it searches the web for similar images.
This was annoyingly enabled by default in Edge 95.
None of these features are actually for browsing the web.
It’s generally a good web client and a viable competitor to Chrome.
Edge is more than just Chrome with Microsoft’s name slapped on it.
The company has added more than a few unique features.
What do those features all have in common?
They improve web browsing and the web app experience.
Features like that are much more welcome than games and coupons.
Related:All the Unnecessary Things Microsoft Added to Edge in 2021
