Microsoft Edge 137 Review: Feature Removals, Enhanced PiP, and Enterprise Focus

The latest update in Microsoft’s relentless push to define the browser market, Edge 137, marks a significant and, to some, controversial milestone. Announced for general availability in the Stable Channel, Edge 137 doesn’t just bring incremental polish—it fundamentally reshapes the user experience by stripping out a suite of features, enhancing core video playback, and quietly advancing Microsoft’s ambitions in enterprise security and hybrid productivity. From the end user dissatisfied over the loss of a favorite tool, to IT administrators evaluating compliance upgrades, this feature-rich but streamlined release demands a closer look at what’s gone, what’s new, and what it all means for the future of Microsoft Edge.

A New Path for Edge: Paring Down for Performance and Clarity​

A Feature Purge: What’s Been Removed in Edge 137?​

The most immediately noticeable change in Edge 137 is what’s missing. The following features, previously core to Edge’s value proposition for power users and casual browsers alike, are now officially deprecated:

• Image Editor: Once boasting simple, browser-based image editing tools, Edge now expects users to edit visuals using dedicated apps or online services.
• Image Hover Menu: The handy preview menu when hovering over images has disappeared.
• Mini Menu: This contextual, compact menu—aimed at boosting right-click efficiency—is no longer available.
• Video Super Resolution: The much-marketed AI-driven upscaling tool for sharper streaming content is removed.
• Wallet Hub: With an industry-wide focus on privacy and consolidation, Microsoft has migrated Wallet data (including payment and personal information) directly to the integrated password manager.

Microsoft’s rationale for this cull is twofold: streamline the browsing experience, and, in the case of Wallet, improve user privacy and data centralization. According to Microsoft’s support documentation, users will still retain secure access to important payment and personal info—now found alongside login credentials inside Edge’s password manager (users are encouraged to check the actual Edge support site for the latest step-by-step Wallet migration information).

Why This Matters​

Browser bloat has long been a complaint as vendors stack new features atop their code-bases. On one hand, removing low-usage or redundant functions can streamline code, improve performance, and reduce the attack surface for security threats. On the other, early adopters often come to rely on these very features. Their abrupt loss may force users to hunt for third-party extensions or return to more traditional workflows. The affected features in Edge 137 were never flagship experiences, but users who built routines around them may feel abandoned.
This mirrors past industry shifts. Google Chrome, for example, has retired lesser-used Labs tools, sometimes triggering backlash but also ultimately leading to a more focused product. For Microsoft, the move appears heavily intentional—aligning with a broader vision to position Edge as a secure, reliable, and enterprise-first browser, with simplicity trumping breadth.

Picture-in-Picture Gets a Major Boost​

The headline new feature in Edge 137 is an upgraded Picture-in-Picture (PiP) experience. For years, PiP has served as a background multitasking staple, letting users float video content above concurrent browsing or productivity activities. With this release, Edge introduces:

• Expanded Playback Controls: Previously limited to basic play/pause, the PiP overlay now incorporates skip forwards/backwards and a granular playback progress bar—mirroring native media apps.
• UI Refinements: While official screenshots indicate a streamlined appearance, user reports suggest the new controls feel “snappier” and “less intrusive.”

These improvements might seem minor, but they reflect an alarming trend: browsers are fast becoming one-stop entertainment hubs, challenging the need for standalone streaming software. For students, remote workers, and casual viewers accustomed to balancing content and web work, the enhanced PiP may further entrench Edge as an all-in-one productivity solution.

Web Content Filtering: Enterprise Takes Center Stage​

Another major introduction is Web Content Filtering (WCF), which was previewed at Build 2025 and is now rolling out in public preview. This tool is designed for enterprise environments, offering IT administrators the ability to block millions of inappropriate or distracting websites by category. Key details:

• Granular Control: Administrators can select which site categories to block, creating tailored policies.
• Constant Updates: Microsoft claims daily policy and blocking list updates to keep up with new threats or categories.
• Enterprise Focus: At present, WCF is pitched squarely at organizations rather than home users, reflecting Microsoft’s laser focus on hybrid workplaces.

The reputation system for these filtering categories remains opaque—Microsoft has not yet fully disclosed how it classifies sites or how false positives are handled. For IT professionals, the promise of turnkey, constantly updated filtering is compelling, but reliance on a proprietary system introduces potential lock-in and policy unpredictability. Ongoing transparency and third-party audits will be vital as adoption spreads.

Copilot, Summarization, and the AI-Driven Browser​

No Edge update is complete without advances in Microsoft’s Copilot ecosystem. Edge 137 deepens integration between Copilot and the browser, particularly for business and enterprise subscribers:

• Page Summarization: Copilot can now analyze full webpages within Work tabs and provide contextual summaries, extending the AI assistant’s reach for information workers.
• Contextual Queries: Users can ask detailed follow-up questions about page content, enhancing both search and research capabilities.
• “Find on Page” in Copilot Chat: The ubiquitous search-within-page feature is now embedded into Copilot Chat, aiming to unify interaction patterns across Microsoft 365 and Edge.

These features remain primarily available for Microsoft 365 Copilot Business Chat users and are gradually integrating with Edge for Business. For organizations leveraging Copilot, this tight coupling promises time savings and deeper insight—but it is not currently available to standard home or education users.
Significantly, these built-in AI tools reflect Microsoft’s ongoing effort to weave artificial intelligence directly into the core browser fabric, not just layer it on top as extensions. Although this creates a uniquely integrated feel—distinct from Chrome’s more decoupled approach—it also increases complexity and risk, especially around privacy and transparency.

Sidebar and Policy Fixes: Addressing the Details​

Beyond the major changes, Edge 137 includes a swathe of bug fixes and minor tweaks. Among the most notable:

• Sidebar Visibility Bug: Previously, users with sidebar visibility set to “Auto Hidden” experienced issues wherein Outlook and Teams links failed to display properly in the sidepane. Edge 137 resolves this, restoring workflow continuity for Microsoft 365 users engaged in hybrid work scenarios.
• Policy Tweaks: A series of updates (enumerated in the official changelog) further tailor Edge’s enterprise management, reflecting Microsoft’s responsiveness to administrator feedback.

While these under-the-hood changes rarely make headlines, their cumulative effect is substantial—especially for business deployments, where even minor annoyances can scale into major productivity hurdles.

Security Upgrades: Staying Ahead of Threats​

Edge’s track record on security is already strong, in part due to its Chromium base and Microsoft’s enterprise pedigree. With version 137.0.3296.52, Microsoft patches eight identified vulnerabilities. The details, tracked in the Microsoft Security Update Guide, underscore the ongoing cat-and-mouse game between browser vendors and attackers.
Key facts for users:

• Automatic Updates: By default, Edge will download the update and apply it on the next restart, minimizing exposure windows.
• Proactive Patching: Most vulnerabilities appear to have been addressed before significant exploitation in the wild.

For IT teams, vigilance remains essential. It is strongly recommended to review the specific CVEs via Microsoft’s guide after each update cycle—a critical routine, even as auto-updating mitigates much of the manual burden.

Migration and User Impact: Automatic, but Abrupt​

One of the most significant practical shifts with Edge 137 is the user experience around removed features, most notably Wallet Hub. All data is automatically migrated to the braided password manager, but users may encounter UI changes and altered routines. For some, this invisible migration is painless and increases security. For others, the removal of trusted workflows is jarring, especially if third-party alternatives lack parity.
Microsoft is encouraging users to explore the new password manager and ensure all pertinent payment and identity data has transferred seamlessly. As always, it is wise to check the official Edge support documentation for any migration FAQs, especially if unexpected behavior is observed.

Microsoft’s Chrome Strategy: Streamlining with Edge DNA​

Looking at the broader browser market, Microsoft appears to be re-committing to its “lean and enterprise-first” philosophy. While Google Chrome continues to dominate in raw user share, and Firefox provides a privacy-centric alternative, Edge is increasingly defined by:

• Tight Microsoft 365 integration
• Enterprise management and security updates
• Selective, but deep, feature additions—such as advanced PiP and rich AI productivity tools
• Relatively streamlined UI compared to prior versions

Yet this approach isn’t without risk. By pruning features, Microsoft runs headlong into the eternal tension between simplicity and capability. Power users may resent the loss of toolsets they’ve customized their browser around, especially with competitors like Vivaldi or Opera offering maximalist experiences. Meanwhile, casual users may never notice the difference—or may welcome the performance and clarity enhancements.
It’s also notable that Microsoft, in focusing on organizations and hybrid workers, risks ceding ground in the fast-evolving consumer space. As AI-driven browsing, advanced content controls, and productivity overlays become ever more central, differentiating between “business” and “home” features may grow more challenging.

Critical Analysis: Strengths and Risks​

Notable Strengths​

• Security and Performance: Trimming bloat, tightening up the codebase, and patching vulnerabilities keeps Edge fast and hardened. This benefits everyone, from home users to enterprise fleets.
• Enterprise Workflow Superiority: Copilot integrations, robust content controls, and Azure Active Directory support make Edge 137 a clear leader for Microsoft 365 organizations.
• Consistent Updates: Rapid deployment and transparent changelogs keep the user base informed and secure.

Cautionary Signs​

• User Backlash Over Removed Features: Whenever features are deprecated, there’s a risk of alienating dedicated users. The loss of the wallet and editor tools may not seem catastrophic now, but a pattern of removals without rich replacements can erode loyalty.
• Lock-In and Data Opacity: Deep Microsoft Account integration, proprietary filtering, and Copilot data flows could lead to concerns about data privacy and platform lock-in. Businesses should scrutinize privacy policies closely.
• AI Dependence in the Browser: The aggressive embedding of AI may lead to dependence on cloud-connected features. Organizations with strict data controls or air-gapped environments may encounter roadblocks.
• Transparency on Filtering and Summarization: How Microsoft classifies web content and processes summaries is not fully public. For compliance-focused verticals (education, government, healthcare), this opaqueness is concerning.

Recommendations and Closing Thoughts​

For existing Edge users—especially those in business or hybrid work environments—updating to Edge 137 is straightforward and strongly recommended. Immediate action items:

• Review feature deprecations and assess workflow impacts
• Check Wallet data migration and familiarize with the consolidated password manager
• Explore upgraded PiP controls and AI Copilot integrations for day-to-day time savings
• For IT admins, begin piloting Web Content Filtering in preview, holding off on mass deployment until policy stability is confirmed

For prospective adopters—or organizations comparing browsers—Edge 137 illustrates both Microsoft’s strengths and its evolving vision. If you value enterprise-grade security, Microsoft 365 integration, and lean performance, Edge warrants a long, hard look. If extensive customization, maximum toolsets, or ultra-granular feature control are non-negotiable, you may need to augment with extensions or keep a second browser handy.
What’s clear is that Microsoft is not shy about iterating quickly and making tough calls. Whether Edge’s new direction will win over a broader user base, or spark new debates about feature density versus focus, remains to be seen. But for now, Edge 137 stands as a confident, enterprise-forward browser—built more than ever for the needs of the modern connected workplace.

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Source: Neowin Edge 137 is out, removes a lot of features and adds picture-in-picture improvements