Microsoft today released a new Windows 10 preview with a big focus on Microsoft Edge. The company’s new browser has finally received extension support, pinned tabs, and other improvements.
Windows 10 is a service. As we wrote in our deep dive on how Microsoft is still building Windows 10, this implies Windows Insiders are getting new builds even though the operating system launched in July 2015.
Extensions are arguably the most important feature missing from Microsoft’s new browser. Support for extensions was supposed to arrive by the end of 2015, however, the feature was delayed until this year.
Unlike Internet Explorer’s native add-ons, Edge’s extension platform is powered by web technologies. All extensions will be vetted, delivered, and managed through the Windows Store.
Developers can manually load extensions into Edge by following these steps:
- Download an extension.
- Select Run from the download notification.
- Select More (…) and then Extensions.
- Select Load extension, choose the extension folder, then Select folder.
Only a select few extensions have been validated by Microsoft as compatible with this build. The first three Edge extensions that testers will get to try are Microsoft Translator, Reddit Enhancement Suite, and Mouse Gestures.