Microsoft Edge is often overlooked, yet unfortunately, I can’t make it my sole application due to limitations discovered during a recent trial where I attempted to use Edge exclusively.
Venturing out of pure tech curiosity, I embarked on an intriguing exploration to discover if Microsoft could create a ChromeOS rival using Edge as the foundation. This journey took me through the realm of web applications, stirred up memories of Windows’ yesteryears, and left me in awe at the number of pre-installed apps that can be removed from Windows 11.
Why I tried to use Microsoft Edge as my only app
I’m wondering what choices are available for people trapped on computers that can’t be upgraded to Windows 11, due to the approaching end of Windows 10 support.
As an analyst, I propose that you could transform your Windows PC into a device running ChromeOS by utilizing ChromeOS Flex. Google has extended this opportunity to Windows 10 users, offering ChromeOS Flex as an alternative for PCs approaching their end of support.
Although ChromeOS Flex is a valuable tool, it does come with certain restrictions. One of its main drawbacks is that it doesn’t allow for the use of Android apps or Google Play. Furthermore, devices operating on ChromeOS Flex are incompatible with Parallels Desktop and the Linux development environment.
Experiencing a device solely on ChromeOS Flex feels like navigating the internet exclusively, as it lacks Android apps, Google Play, and Parallels. This prompted me to ponder if I could manage my daily tasks strictly through an online browser.
If a computer only needs a web browser to function effectively, perhaps Microsoft might devise an alternate upgrade route for Windows 10 computers that bypasses the need to delve into Google’s ecosystem. This could be called something like “EdgeBook” instead.
Over the past fortnight, I’ve exclusively used Microsoft Edge as my main application. The constraints of this single-app approach took me by surprise. In the end, I found myself needing additional apps installed. Nevertheless, I believe Microsoft could make significant strides towards creating an EdgeBook without much effort.
By having features such as the Sidebar, you can conveniently use popular services right within Microsoft Edge. With both Telegram and the often overlooked Edge Drop function readily available, I found it effortless to keep working within Edge itself.
Microsoft Office online is bad
In the subsequent part, I’ll delve deeper into the essential Windows 11 applications I eventually installed. However, it’s worth noting that a collection of apps deserves special mention – Microsoft Office. Initially, I thought the online version of Office would suffice for my purposes.
On a daily basis, I employ at least one application from the Microsoft Office suite, but I wouldn’t categorize myself as an advanced or expert user. My tasks mainly involve basic word processing, creating straightforward Excel sheets, and occasionally opening a PowerPoint presentation.
however, the online editions of Office proved to be the most disappointing aspect of my EdgeBook trial. They were frustratingly slow to open and their performance was noticeably laggy.
It was even more astonishing that web versions of Word and Excel appeared reluctant to function as web applications. Instead of the familiar Word and Excel icons, mere letters were displayed in the Start menu. Frequently, attempts to install Excel as a web app resulted in an unsuccessful loading process, failing to launch Excel entirely.
The interaction I had with the web editions of Office applications left me questioning whether Microsoft intentionally weakened the performance of Office online, as a strategy to motivate users into purchasing the desktop apps via Microsoft 365 subscription.
Must-have Windows 11 apps
Instead of having certain apps on my mobile device, I’d rather use them on my computer. For instance, Photopea, which functions as an excellent photo editor within a web browser, is not essential to me, as there are other image editors I utilize more frequently for my daily tasks.
But some apps are absolute must-haves.
- Snipping Tool
- PowerToys
- Microsoft Office apps
- A dedicated photo editor
It caught me off guard that Office apps appeared on the list, yet I discovered that the online options didn’t meet my requirements. As explained previously, the web versions of Word and Excel are satisfactory for minor edits or viewing documents when using a different computer; however, their efficiency is significantly lower compared to their desktop counterparts.
Though I’m not a professional photographer, I frequently handle many images. For this particular project, I briefly explored various web-based image editors before ultimately deciding to download Affinity Photo instead. While there are numerous excellent photo editing software options for Windows, I’m particularly comfortable with Affinity Photo since I previously worked at Serif and created tutorials for the Affinity suite.
Instead of Steam, my preferred gaming platform is currently on hold for the past fortnight as I took a break from gaming. If I were to play games on a device with limited hardware capabilities or one that only supports a web browser, I would opt for a service like NVIDIA GeForce Now and enjoy cloud-based gaming instead.
During my effort to minimize the apps on my Windows 11 system to a bare minimum, I was taken aback by the number of applications that I could safely remove from my computer. In fact, I went as far as uninstalling the clock app from my laptop, despite having doubts about its impact on system performance.
Using this app, I discovered just how many programs I’d amassed over the years on my computer. Occasionally, doing a fresh installation of Windows 11 can yield some great advantages.
Windows 10X: What could have been
Windows 10X was the closest we got to a true ChromeOS competitor from Microsoft.
At one point, it appeared conceivable to envision a gadget like EdgeBook or an operating system centered around Edge, but currently, I’m not optimistic about such a development. Windows 10X was a streamlined version of the Windows OS that functioned more effectively on less powerful hardware compared to its heavier counterparts.
While some aesthetic features from Windows 10X have been incorporated into Windows 11, including its Start menu, the unique underlying features that set Windows 10X apart continue to elude us regular users as of yet.
After spending two weeks relying on Microsoft Edge as my primary application, I’ve come to realize that there are a couple of specific apps I also require, beyond just a web browser. If Windows 10X supported UWP (Universal Windows Platform) apps natively, it would have been ideal for my needs.
Unfortunately, it seems that an EdgeBook won’t be part of my plans, however, the endeavor clearly demonstrated the immense potential for creativity and innovation within web browsers.
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2025-04-22 21:10