Microsoft Edge Gains Performance Enhancements in Version 91

During today’s annual Build conference, Microsoft unveiled several new functionalities for Edge browser version 91. These updates, consistent with the overall theme of Build 2021, focus on incremental improvements rather than revolutionary changes, offering enhanced usability for Edge users.

Many of these features will likely be familiar to those who regularly monitor the Edge development roadmap, as Microsoft adopts an open-source approach to Edge’s evolution. Indeed, a number of these enhancements were already present in Edge 90.

Startup Boost for Near-Instant Launch

Startup Boost is a new feature designed to dramatically reduce Edge’s launch time. The implementation is relatively simple: key Edge processes are pre-loaded during Windows startup.

This pre-loading minimizes the workload when a user initiates Edge, resulting in almost instantaneous browser access. The impact on overall Windows 10 boot time is expected to be minimal, making it a worthwhile performance trade-off.

“Sleeping Tabs” Optimize Resource Usage

Another key addition is the implementation of “sleeping tabs.” This feature functions as anticipated, placing inactive tabs into a low-power state to conserve system resources.

By suspending tabs, unnecessary memory and CPU usage are reduced, leading to a more efficient browsing experience.

Performance Gains and Comparisons

Microsoft initially began testing the sleeping tabs functionality in December. Early results indicated a 32% reduction in memory consumption.

Furthermore, sleeping tabs demonstrated a 37% decrease in average CPU usage compared to active tabs, contributing to improved battery life on laptops and other portable devices.

Industry-Wide Trend

It is important to note that Google Chrome, which shares a significant portion of its core technology with Edge, also incorporates resource management tools. Google refers to a similar function as “tab freezing.”

Virtually all leading web browsers currently offer features designed to limit resource utilization and optimize performance through techniques like tab suspension or freezing.