Advantages of Microsoft Edge over Internet Explorer

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If you still have any equipment lying around with Internet Explorer installed and in daily useIt's very likely you're dealing with more problems than you realize: security vulnerabilities, lack of compatibility with modern websites, and a browser that Microsoft has already relegated to the dustbin of history. On the opposite end of the spectrum is Microsoft Edge, the modern successor Designed to take full advantage of Windows 10 and Windows 11, but also to continue opening those old applications that only worked in IE.

What's interesting is that Edge isn't just replacing Internet Explorer, but it's doing so by offering a Integrated IE compatibility mode, safer and more controlledIn other words, you can continue using your business-critical legacy applications without sacrificing modern browser protections. Let's take a closer look with clear examples. All the advantages of Microsoft Edge over Internet Explorer and why it's worth making the leap as soon as possible, especially in professional environments.

From Internet Explorer to Microsoft Edge: a change of era

During years, Internet Explorer was the undisputed king of web browsing.It came pre-installed with Windows, was used in businesses, public administrations, and homes, and many websites were designed almost exclusively with it in mind. But the landscape changed: the web became more complex, modern standards and new languages ​​emerged, and above all, faster and more secure browsers like Google Chrome browser and FirefoxIE gradually fell behind until it became a burden for Microsoft itself.

To try to correct course, Microsoft launched in 2015 Microsoft Edge as the new default browser on Windows 10. The idea was clear: to break with IE's bad reputation and offer a modern, lightweight browser with better compatibility. The reality is that Edge took time to gain traction, but technically it represented a huge leap forward: Renewed rendering engine, extension support, improved performance, and better integration with Windows.

Still, Internet Explorer was kept installed for compatibility reasonsMany internal company applications, intranets, and legacy portals relied on technologies like ActiveX or specific IE document modes. This made it impossible to completely eliminate this dependency without disrupting critical processes and forced many organizations to use multiple browsersHence the current approach: Edge as the main browser and Internet Explorer mode within Edge to maintain that compatibility in a controlled manner.

Today the future is already decided: IE 11 desktop is retired in many versions of Windows 10 And Edge takes its place with IE mode. For the average user, this means always browsing with a modern browser. For organizations, it means being able to continue using older websites while minimizing exposure to threats.

What exactly is Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge?

The heart of Microsoft's strategy is the so-called IE mode within Microsoft EdgeIt's not a separate browser, but a special mode of Edge that allows certain pages to load using the classic Internet Explorer engine (Trident/MSHTML). encapsulated within an Edge tabFor the user, everything happens in the same browser.

This mode works as a system of dual rendering engineFor modern websites, Edge uses the fast and secure Chromium-based engine. For legacy applications that require it, it can automatically switch to the IE 11 engine. Both experiences coexist in the same window, but are controlled by IT policies and approved site lists.

When a site is opened in IE mode, A small icon with the Internet Explorer logo appears. on the left side of the address bar. If you double-click that icon, Edge displays more information about how the page is loading and which compatibility mode is active. This makes it clear when you're using the "old" version of the browser and when you're using the modern version.

The key is that Not all sites can use the legacy engineOnly those applications configured by the administrator via group policies or an enterprise-mode XML list will be opened. Anything not on that list will automatically open with the modern Edge engine, significantly reducing the attack surface and preventing users from inadvertently using IE for everything.

In managed environments, the policy can also be activated "Send all intranet sites to Internet Explorer" (actually now in Edge's IE mode), which helps internal applications continue to function as before but within the new browser, while the general Internet is visited with the modern engine.

What IE mode allows… and what it doesn't

One of the great advantages of IE mode is that It inherits much of the compatibility of Internet Explorer 11but leaving out some particularly problematic or unnecessary components. Specifically, IE mode supports:

• All document modes and enterprise modes that used IE to render old websites.
• ActiveX Controls (like Java or the now obsolete Silverlight), something that many corporate portals still use.
• Browser Helper Objects (BHO) that some legacy solutions still require.
• IE settings and group policies related to safety zones and protected mode.
• IE F12 Development Tools when launched with IEChooser, useful for debugging legacy applications.
• Modern Edge extensions (with the exception that they cannot interact directly with the content of the IE engine).

In other words, if you have a internal application that still relies on ActiveX, BHOs, or an older document modeIt's very likely that it will work in Edge using IE mode without touching a single line of code. This is pure gold for organizations that can't migrate everything at once.

However, to enhance security and simplify the experience, IE mode It cuts some features:

• Classic Internet Explorer toolbars are not supportedwhich have been a recurring vector for malware and adware.
• The following do not apply: IE navigation menu directives that controlled, for example, the menu bar or specific links.
• They cannot be used directly Edge's F12 tools on IE content; the debugging of that content still depends on the IE tools released separately.

With this balance, Microsoft manages to most legacy applications will continue to workBut at the same time, it removes clearly dangerous or outdated components, reducing the likelihood that the browser will become a sieve for threats.

Compelling reasons to abandon Internet Explorer and switch to Edge

Beyond compatibility, there are several technical and security reasons that explain why It makes much more sense to use Microsoft Edge that we remain tied to Internet Explorer, even if only for some tasks.

Modern architecture versus a design from 25 years ago

Internet Explorer drags a single-process or very little segmentation architectureDesigned for a time when the web was much simpler, this approach means less isolation between tabs and a much larger attack surface. A vulnerability in one tab can have far-reaching consequences for the entire browser process.

Modern browsers, including Microsoft Edge, are designed following a multiprocess and site isolation modelEach site (or group of sites) runs in separate processes, so a breach in one page doesn't easily compromise the rest. Furthermore, Edge integrates hardware-based security mitigations, such as Intel's Control-flow Enforcement Technology (CET), which makes it much harder to exploit certain vulnerabilities.

These protections They are not available in IEThe practical result is that a simple vulnerability in Internet Explorer can more easily become a remote code execution, whereas in Edge it is usually necessary to chain together several flaws and bypass several layers of defense.

Edge is more difficult to exploit than Internet Explorer.

Therefore, for an attacker it is much easier to find and exploit a serious vulnerability in IE than in Edge. Furthermore, IE's support for outdated technologies like ActiveX and certain BHOs ​​multiplies potential vulnerabilities. Many of these components have become security headaches over time.

Edge, on the other hand, benefits from a live and active security ecosystem thanks to ChromiumAny major flaw discovered and corrected in Chromium ends up affecting Microsoft Edge as well, which also adds its own layers of protection, both at the browser level and in its integration with Windows and Microsoft 365.

Edge's IE mode attempts to limit that exposure as much as possible: Trusted content opens with the legacy engine, but the rest is forced onto the modern engine.This means that, although you may still rely on some older applications, your day-to-day general browsing is done with the most secure technology available.

Much faster security updates

Another key factor is the update cadenceInternet Explorer is closely tied to the Windows operating system's update cycle. This means that security patches can take weeks or months to arrive, especially if they are part of large cumulative updates.

Microsoft Edge, on the other hand, has a own independent updaterThis allows security patches to be deployed in a matter of days, and sometimes even hours. In an environment where threats evolve very quickly, minimizing the window of exposure makes a real difference.

In practice, this means that Edge remains much more aligned with the vulnerabilities discovered by the research community and by Microsoft's own security team, while IE falls further and further behind and receives only minimal maintenance.

Research ecosystem and reward programs

The actual security of a browser depends not only on what the manufacturer does, but also on the ecosystem of external and independent researchers which subject the software to constant testing. Here again, Edge has a clear advantage over IE.

Microsoft Edge is part of bug bounty programs which encourage researchers worldwide to find and report security flaws. Furthermore, being based on Chromium, it benefits from the entire security community surrounding this open-source project. Every vulnerability found in Chrome or other Chromium browsers helps, in a way, to strengthen Edge as well.

Internet Explorer, on the other hand, It does not have this level of care Nor with a comparable bounty program. The result is a very limited flow of security improvements, precisely at a time when attackers are becoming increasingly sophisticated and persistent.

Integrated SmartScreen anti-phishing protection

Another distinctive advantage of Edge over IE (and other browsers) is its Full integration with Microsoft Defender SmartScreenMicrosoft's technology for blocking phishing sites and malicious downloads.

According to independent analysis by CyberRatings.org, SmartScreen blocks more phishing and malware attempts than Google Chrome's secure browsing. Microsoft Edge takes full advantage of this protection natively, while Internet Explorer can only partially integrate it due to its architectural limitations.

In everyday life, this translates to Edge has greater capacity to detect and block suspicious links, dangerous downloads, and fraudulent pages on the fly.especially in business environments where it is complemented by policies, managed lists, and other controls.

Edge as a modern browser: performance, features, and everyday use

So far we've talked mostly about security and compatibility, but it's worth remembering that Edge, unlike IE, is a browser fully prepared for the current webNot only can it open any modern website, but it does so with good performance and a battery of advanced features.

To begin with, Edge is available on virtually all mainstream platformsWindows, macOS, iOS, Android, and even Linux. This allows you to sync favorites, history, passwords, and open tabs across devices, providing an experience similar to Chrome or Firefox.

As for the engine, Edge now uses the Chromium base, which means virtually total compatibility with current websites and access to a huge number of extensions. What's more, the browser itself lets you install extensions from both the Microsoft Edge Add-ons Store and the Chrome Web Store, instantly expanding your customization options.

Microsoft has also done emphasis on practical functions geared towards everyday use, such as:

• Integrated PDF file reading, with annotation options.
• Support for EPUB format and more comfortable reading of long content.
• Reading mode to clean up distractions in lengthy articles.
• Integration with online shopping toolsPrice comparison sites and automatic coupons.
• Advanced management of profiles and synchronization to separate work and personal use.

In terms of performance, Edge has been refining memory consumption and energy efficiency, especially in laptops. And while there will always be debate about whether it's faster than Chrome or Firefox in certain tests, what is clear is that IE no longer competes in that leagueIt is much slower at loading complex pages and is not optimized for modern standards.

Privacy and control: trackers, certificates, and settings

In terms of privacy, Edge offers a fairly comprehensive options panel, including a multi-level configurable tracker blocker (Basic, balanced, and strict). The most aggressive mode blocks a large portion of third-party trackers, reducing ad tracking, although it may cause some websites to malfunction.

Also allows browse with separate profiles, use InPrivate windows For sessions without local history, and to control with considerable precision which sites can use cookies, geolocation, or other sensitive permissions. All this from a clearer and more modern interface than IE's tangled web of dialog boxes.

It is true that, compared to Chrome, Edge offers some differences in the detailed view of TLS certificatesIn IE or Chrome, it was common to see extensive information about the certificate, validity dates, and chain of trust. In Edge, clicking on the padlock prioritizes a simpler, more direct view: who issued the certificate and whether the address is secure. For most users, this is sufficient, but for highly technical users, it may seem like a step backward compared to the previous level of detail.

Even with that caveat, the leap from IE to Edge in terms of TLS security, support for modern protocols, and encryption management is very significant, and Navigation is much more robust against attacks targeting insecure connections.

How to truly take advantage of the switch to Microsoft Edge

If you're coming from Internet Explorer or just want to give Edge a serious try, there are several ways to to get the most out of it from day one:

• Enable the use of extensions from other storesIn the extensions settings, you can allow adding add-ons from the Chrome Web Store, drastically expanding what you can do with the browser.
• Change the default search engineIf Bing doesn't convince you, you can set up Google, DuckDuckGo, or another search engine in just a few clicks.
• Sync your accountSigning in with your Microsoft account lets you save favorites, passwords, and settings in the cloud, so you can retrieve them on any device.
• Activate tracker blocking at the level that best suits your needs. If you prioritize privacy above all else, the strict level is an interesting option.
• Configure, if needed, IE mode for specific applicationsIn enterprise environments, this is done via group policy. For home use in recent versions of Edge, you can manually add pages that should open in IE mode to maintain compatibility.

With these settings, you go from using Edge as "the browser that comes with Windows" to having a finely tuned tool for your way of working and browsing, without losing the security and performance advantages that distinguish it from IE.

The current scenario is clear: Internet Explorer has been relegated to being a compatibility layer encapsulated within Microsoft EdgeThe browser that makes sense to use daily, both at home and in the office, is Edge: more secure, faster, with frequent updates, better integration with Windows 10/11, and an IE mode that allows you to continue using older applications while gaining protection against modern threats. Those who continue browsing with IE are not only missing out on important improvements but are also unnecessarily exposing themselves to a risk that no longer justifies the effort.