A first look at the upcoming changes

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We recently reported that Microsoft Edge is getting a much better settings layout. Microsoft officially mentioned it on the Microsoft 365 roadmap page and it will be rolling out in October, next month. We got our hands on the new Edge settings in Canary, here’s the good, the bad, and what’s new.

To simplify navigation through Settings, Microsoft Edge is making three key improvements. The company says it has kept the existing Settings structure but improved accessibility with clickable sections.

The main Settings page includes shortcuts to frequently used actions. Densely populated pages like Privacy, Appearance, and System now offer quick access to the most frequently used settings. On these pages, sections can be expanded to reveal their subsettings, similar to a table of contents.

In our tests, as you can see in the video and screenshots included with the article, Profiles, Sidebar, Start, Home screen & new tabs, Sharing, Copy & Paste, Default Browser, Downloads, Family Safety, Languages, Printers settings, Reset settings, Phone & other services, Ease of Access, and About Microsoft were unaffected.

First look at Microsoft Edge’s new settings layout: easier navigation and quick access

As Microsoft announced in its Roadmap post, structural changes have been made to Privacy, Search and Services, Appearance, System, and Performance, including cookies and site permissions.

Privacy, Search and Services contain clickable submenus about tracking prevention, clearing browsing data, privacy, security and Search and Connected Experiences.

Appearance Changes in the section include theme, page zoom, touch mode, toolbar, context menu, Browser behavior and functionsand an optional Fonts submenu.

Cookies and site data displays cookies and site data and site permissions using All Sites, Recent Activity, and All Permissions.

System and performance The section will contain the System, Performance, and Development Tools sections. Clicking on each of them will open the corresponding Settings.

The restructured Edge Settings page may look nice, but it requires more clicks to get to the right options. Since Microsoft has confirmed that it will be rolling out a new Settings layout in October, you’ll need to accept and adapt to these changes, whether you like them or not.

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In addition, Microsoft Edge will let you search for anything on the Windows 11 desktop as part of the Circle to Copilot update. Additionally, Edge may add Windows Energy Saver to Edge Efficiency Mode, offer a PiP icon for Edge media controls on the Windows taskbar, and remove the News Feed from the New Tab page. Edge may also warn you when you’re using too many extensions.

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Venkat, a seasoned technical writer from India, specializes in discovering new browser features and technology trends. His work connects technology with its users, making the digital world more accessible.

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