If you follow browser development at all you can’t have helped but noticed Microsoft making a huge song and dance about the latest version of the Edge browser. It does potentially cause some changes for those of us who are responsible for testing cross browser support, so I thought I would try to put together a list of questions and answers.
It is brand new and I certainly don’t know everything, so if you have more questions, or want to correct / update my answers please do add comments below.
FAQ
Q. So why the big fuss?
Answer:
When Microsoft launched Windows 10 they made a big fuss about the new “official” browser for windows 10 based on an entirely new custom engine. I always liked Edge, but it was not really ready for launch and had many shortcomings. Most people and businesses either continued to use Internet Explorer 11 and switch to another browser – Mostly Chrome.
Years later and Microsoft have finally properly joined the crosss platform browser market with a release version of Edge based upon the Chromium engine. (The same that Google Chrome uses.)
Unlike the original Edge that was Windows 10 only (not Windows 7 or Windows Server) this is available on ALL supported Windows versions, MacOS, iOS and Android.
Q. When was it released?
Answer:
Release date January 15th 2020
Q. So will everyone get the new Edge installed in Windows 10 straight away?
Answer:
No! As explained at this page.
Microsoft will distribute Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) to Home and Pro Edition devices running Windows 10 version 1803 and newer via Windows Update. This process will start after January 15th, 2020 and more information will be available on that date.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/DeployEdge/microsoft-edge-blocker-toolkit
So many users including installations of:
- Windows 10 Enterprise
- Windows 10 Home or Pro connected to an Active Directory or Azure Active Directory.
Basically – home users will automatically update, but for most business users, they will only get it if manually installed.
Q. Will it replace the old Edge version?
Answer:
In short – usually yes. It is possible to enable side by side running if you really want, but most users will have one or the other.
Q. So I can ditch all my old Edge tests?
Answer:
Well that depends I guess. If your site principally deals with consumers and you don’t have a high usage of Edge, then probably.
If your site is used by enterprise customers and some of them use Edge on their network (Does anyone do this?) then perhaps you will need to keep them running. I guess you should have a chat with your commercial team to establish the risk to reward balance for your business.
I suspect for many of you, if you are still running them. It is safe to finally give them the send off they deserve.
Q. Does this mean I need to add a set of ‘New Edge’ tests?
Answer:
My answer here is based largely on assumption, so if you know better please do share in the comments below.
As ‘New Edge’ runs on the Chromium project, and using its own distribution of the ChromeDriver it even uses the same Selenium code to drive it using ChromeOptions / ChromeDriver.
It should display things the same as on Google Chrome and I would be very surprised if Microsoft managed to enable functions that EdgeDriver can access before Google Chrome does.
Until I find a compelling case to do so, I do not plan on adding more time to my releases testing the same base code.
Progress made:
- We can finally look to remove some Edge tests where they no longer bring benefit.
- Maybe time to look at support for the new Edge?
Lessons learnt:
- Microsoft’s new Edge is here and it is getting good reviews from many who have dared to try it.
- Both versions will remain in use for some time. ‘Old Edge’ is not dead yet.
- It is perfectly possible to use Selenium to test sites in ‘New Edge’ but I am not convinced on the value of testing against it in addition to Google Chrome.
A reminder:
If you want to ask me a question, Twitter is undoubtedly the fastest place to get a response: My Username is @AlexanderOnTest so I am easy to find. My DMs are always open for questions, and I publicise my new blog posts there too.
