Microsoft Edge will borrow “a table of contents” from Google Chrome’s playbook to declutter its settings and improve navigation in October 2024

Microsoft Edge will borrow "a table of contents" from Google Chrome's playbook to declutter its settings and improve navigation in October 2024

What you need to know

  • Microsoft wants to make Edge less bloated by decluttering its Settings page.
  • The company intends to add a new quick-access panel on the landing page for Edge Settings for easy accessibility and navigation.
  • Microsoft intends to compress its long list of Edge Settings options by grouping them into subsections like a table of contents in a book.

As a seasoned digital nomad who’s spent countless hours navigating the labyrinthine settings of various browsers, I can wholeheartedly say that Microsoft Edge’s upcoming revamp is music to my weary fingers. The proposed changes promise to declutter and streamline the browser’s settings, making it more user-friendly and potentially challenging Google Chrome’s dominance in the market.


Microsoft Edge is generally considered one of the top browsers on Windows 11. Yet, critics frequently accuse Microsoft of overloading the software with extra, perhaps less necessary, features that may not always be practical for daily use.

It seems that Microsoft could potentially address some of these problems, as reported in an article from Windows Latest. According to their source, TechRadar, Microsoft is planning to overhaul the settings of Microsoft Edge, which appears to be aimed at making them more streamlined and user-friendly.

On the Microsoft 365 roadmap site, Microsoft has outlined upcoming changes for Microsoft Edge, which they’ve labeled as: “Enhancing Microsoft Edge: Making key settings more accessible and improving navigation on the settings page.” To make Microsoft Edge more convenient for users, they plan to introduce a new, easily accessible panel with essential settings on the main Edge Settings page.

The panel will showcase the frequent actions found within the Settings menu for hassle-free use and navigation. This way, you can easily modify or adjust your Settings settings with minimal clicks, as explained in the entry. The planned updates are set to begin in October 2024; however, keep in mind that these plans might be adjusted as usual.

Microsoft is planning to introduce quick access shortcuts for frequently used settings like System and Performance, or Appearance, within the Settings menu of Microsoft Edge with a single click.

Ultimately, the tech company plans to streamline their extensive Settings menu by organizing it into categorized sections, much like the table of contents found in a book.

Browser wars continue…

Microsoft Edge will borrow "a table of contents" from Google Chrome's playbook to declutter its settings and improve navigation in October 2024

Examining the layout of Microsoft Edge’s settings and Google Chrome’s, it’s clear that Google Chrome appears more organized and user-friendly when navigating its options. While it may present a challenge for less tech-inclined users to pinpoint an exact setting in Google Chrome, they have thoughtfully included a search bar to address this issue.

From my perspective, when I visit Microsoft Edge’s settings page, it appears rather jumbled, making it necessary for users to sift through the page to locate the particular setting they require. Notably, much like Google Chrome, Edge includes a search bar to help simplify the process and make it less intimidating.

Microsoft Edge will borrow "a table of contents" from Google Chrome's playbook to declutter its settings and improve navigation in October 2024

Comparing Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge’s Setting Pages side-by-side.

Microsoft Edge will borrow "a table of contents" from Google Chrome's playbook to declutter its settings and improve navigation in October 2024

Comparing Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge’s Setting Pages side-by-side.

These alterations to Microsoft Edge’s user interface are highly beneficial and could entice or attract users to set it as their default browser in Windows 11. This could potentially challenge Google Chrome’s current market dominance.

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2024-09-18 13:09