Guest blog by Nikki
Live life on the edge… with the new web browser from Windows 10!
Among the many other new features bestowed upon us with the much talked about Windows 10, is Microsoft Edge, the new internet browser that replaces Internet Explorer.
So what can The Edge do that Internet Explorer can’t?
Well first there’s Cortana; she’s a rather clever digital personal assistant that can help you search the internet by simply typing in the search box in the task bar, or clicking on the mic symbol and talking to her (providing your device has a built in mic). It’s fast and allows you to search the web without leaving the page you are on, even if you’re on 
the desktop. Cortana will give you search suggestions, instant web results and your browsing history on the spot.
Cortana can also help you find apps, search documents on your device or OneDrive (the online “storage”), remind you to do something at a particular time, make sure you don’t miss appointments, track parcels, give traffic reports and weather updates and – if you’re feeling grumpy or lonely – Cortana can even chat with you and tell you jokes. In short, Cortana is the next best thing to a Personal Assistant.
To get the most out of Cortana, Microsoft collects information from your contacts, calendar, location and location history, search history, content and communication history from your apps and other info on your device.
Anyway, I digress, The Edge also has7 the ability to annotate web pages, enabling you to attach notes, circle objects, draw arrows and underline or even highlight words, lines or paragraphs.
This can then be saved to the device on Microsoft’s OneNote app or as a reading list or favourite. It can also be shared with Facebook, Twitter, Fresh Paint and OneNote or via email (perfect for hint dropping!)
There is also a new reading mode that’s allows you to streamline your web pages, letting you focus on the content that really matters: the text! By simply removing the background and / or unnecessary extras, the page is effectively de-cluttered, thus making it more readable.
You also have the ability to change the colour of the background and size of the font. These changes can be retained if the page were saved as a reading list; perfect for reading back in less than perfect conditions, such as direct sunlight or a dark room.
One stop access is available by clicking on the Hub button, giving you quick and easy access to your reading lists, favourites, downloads and browsing history all in one place. You can also pin to your current web page to the start menu or to the start screen as a tile. (Ah, the return of the wonderful start menu – oh, how we missed thee!)
There is now a Private Browsing mode for searching the internet without your browser history being saved. Perfect for buying surprise presents of course. You simply tap on the menu icon in the task bar (labelled more actions) and select New InPrivate window.
If you do need to open a web page with Internet Explorer, as occasionally some sites may not open properly with The Edge, then simply tap on menu and select Open with Internet Explorer, simples! However I have to say, I was online looking up loads of different websites and had no problems whatsoever. Still though, good to know the option is there.
Microsoft is labelling their new browser as the “Doing” browser, designed to give you a more human way of using the internet and it is faster, easier and more helpful than ever before. I snapped up a clearance bargain from one of our shop displays and 
upgraded the little Asus notebook immediately (other bargains also available…) and was not disappointed. Like many others, I did not like Windows 8 and purposefully held off investing in a new laptop until another operating system became available. The fact the upgrade is free is great and so far I’m loving everything about Windows 10, but especially the new internet browser and Cortana.
So I guess what I’m saying is it’s good to be on edge… pun very much intended!
You can view our full range of computing products that are available with a free upgrade to Windows 10 right here.
