Microsoft Edge Speed Improvement on Windows 11: Instant Menu and Element Loading
The latest rollout of WebUI 2.0 has significantly enhanced the speed and responsiveness of Microsoft Edge. This innovative framework, introduced in the recent browser updates, has drastically improved the loading times for various UI components.
According to findings by Microsoft, the use of JavaScript for rendering elements within the Edge browser negatively impacted its performance, leading to extended load times and a less fluid user interface. Additionally, the shared code across different features constrained Edge’s overall efficiency.
With these performance issues in mind, the team at Redmond developed WebUI 2.0 to optimize the loading speed of various elements. Earlier this year, Microsoft confirmed the migration of Edge components to the new WebUI 2.0 framework, though some features remain reliant on the older codebase. So, just how fast has Microsoft Edge become?
Lightning-Fast Loading Speeds
The Browser Essentials feature was the first to utilize the new markup-first code approach, resulting in a remarkable 42% increase in loading speed, even on entry-level PCs lacking SSDs or substantial RAM.
Similarly, the Favorites bar has benefitted from an impressive 40% speed boost. Windows Latest also explored a few experimental features built on WebUI 2.0.
Among the numerous components assessed, the msInlineComposeWebUI has emerged as significantly faster. This is the Copilot compose box that activates when you select a text snippet and click the “Rewrite with Copilot”button.
The GIF below illustrates the contrast: in the previous version, a loading indicator would pop up post-click, creating a noticeable lag before the UI appeared.
In the WebUI 2.0 update, users will notice that the compose box opens almost instantaneously after selection, eliminating the loading animation. The msPdfWebui2 also demonstrates a remarkable increase in launch speed.
Microsoft is gradually integrating these WebUI 2.0 features into Edge. Although many have yet to be seen in the stable release, users can already observe improvements in usability and performance.
The strategy involves a phased roll-out of enhancements rather than an all-at-once deployment. This approach accommodates user feedback and seems well-suited to make Edge more appealing compared to Chrome. However, addressing the burden of excessive bloatware would also be beneficial.
Recently, Windows Latest reported that Microsoft Edge is conducting experiments aimed at decluttering the browser by relocating or removing features to streamline the user interface. This process is ongoing and continues to evolve.
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