Major shakeups are underway for users of Microsoft Edge, as the company begins rolling out its latest 137.0.3296.16 Beta update—a release that not only introduces new features but also marks the removal of several notable tools that have been mainstays for many users. This clear move towards a streamlined browser experience stands to impact power users, businesses, and casual users alike. As Edge continues evolving in response to both user feedback and broader industry trends, let’s delve deep into the specifics of what’s changing, why it matters, and what these shifts portend for the future of Microsoft’s flagship browser.
With the release of Edge 137, Microsoft has made the rare but impactful decision to deprecate and remove a host of features that some users have come to rely on. This move, scheduled for mid-to-late May, reflects both a simplification strategy and a refocus on core productivity tools and generative AI integrations.
This table illustrates that while many browsers focus on speed, privacy, or extension ecosystems, Edge is banking heavily on its deep productivity integrations—almost all of which now lean into business and AI functionality.
Whether these changes ultimately strengthen Edge’s position or open the door to a renaissance of feature-rich competitors will largely depend on how well Microsoft can balance its AI ambitions with the practical needs of its diverse user base. As always, the best browser will be the one most attuned to its users’ expectations—whether that means simplicity, raw speed, deep productivity integrations, or an unwavering commitment to customization and user control.
For now, Edge 137 is a clear signal: Microsoft is all-in on AI-powered productivity, and it’s trimming everything else that doesn’t fit that vision. Users should prepare—both for the promise, and the pitfalls, of a browser with fewer bells and whistles, but a much sharper focus on what comes next.
Source: Neowin Microsoft removes a lot of features from the Edge browser
Microsoft Edge 137: Saying Goodbye to Legacy Features
With the release of Edge 137, Microsoft has made the rare but impactful decision to deprecate and remove a host of features that some users have come to rely on. This move, scheduled for mid-to-late May, reflects both a simplification strategy and a refocus on core productivity tools and generative AI integrations.What’s Being Removed—and Why It Matters
1. Image Editor
The built-in Image Editor offered users simple photo manipulation capabilities without leaving the browser. Its removal could be seen as an inconvenience for those who relied on quick cropping, annotation, or other basic edits right inside Edge. With browsers like Opera and Vivaldi offering similar utilities, Microsoft’s decision signals a shift in priorities—perhaps indicating that browser-based editing tools are not as universally valued, or that Edge’s userbase has not adopted these features as extensively as anticipated.2. Image Hover Menus
Previously, hovering over an image in Edge sometimes revealed contextual menus for actions like copying or searching. This natural-feeling UI touch reduced clicks and sped up web workflows. Its absence may add friction for users who’ve subconsciously incorporated this functionality into their habits.3. Mini Menus
Mini menus—small context menus that popped up for selected text or media—offered quick access to copy, define, and search functions. They often proved invaluable for research, translation, and note-taking. Their removal leans Edge toward a less cluttered interface, aligning with minimalism trends but potentially alienating users who prized the power-user efficiency these menus offered.4. Video Super Resolution (Built-in Video Upscaler)
One of the most advanced features on the cut list is the video upscaler, previously a highlight for users watching low-resolution content. Microsoft’s upscaler—powered by AI and proprietary algorithms—attempted to enhance the visual experience of videos streamed at lower resolutions, making them appear sharper on modern displays. Discontinuing this feature suggests that technological or licensing hurdles, or perhaps insufficient user engagement, have rendered it unsustainable. Competing upscaling technologies (including hardware-accelerated options from Nvidia and AMD) may now become the alternatives of choice for discerning viewers.5. Wallet Hub
When Edge’s Wallet Hub launched, it aimed to centralize payment methods, coupons, and even dabbled in cryptocurrency integration. The original vision was to be a trusted place for not just credit cards but also digital currency management and shopping deals. Now, Microsoft is simplifying things—moving payment management directly into the password manager portion of Edge. This transition reflects a broader industry shift: browser wallets are complex to secure and maintain, and dedicated password managers (like LastPass or 1Password) have become the gold standard for many. For Edge, this means less surface area for bugs, security concerns, or regulatory scrutiny.Controlled Rollout
It’s important to note that Microsoft is using a staged deployment approach. Not all users will see these changes immediately; some features may linger in specific builds for a short period. This phased rollout allows engineers to monitor problems in real-time and react to negative feedback, minimizing the risk of widespread broken workflows.What’s New in Edge 137? Productive Power and AI Integration
Fortunately, Edge 137 isn’t only about feature removal. The release includes a handful of significant improvements and fresh capabilities—many of which are clearly tailored to business, research, and the emergent AI-powered workflow.Reworked Picture-in-Picture Mode
The picture-in-picture (PiP) mode now comes with substantial enhancements. Users can finally access granular controls like play, skip forward/backward, and a progress bar—all from within the floating PiP window. This means multitasking on Windows, especially during meetings or webinars, feels more natural and less disruptive. As video consumption surges both at work and home, this enhancement keeps Edge competitive with Chrome and Opera, and aligns with user expectations for slick, modern video handling.Copilot Business Chat – Contextual AI Becomes the Norm
Arguably the most significant update is the deeper integration of Microsoft Copilot—the company’s generative AI assistant—into Edge. Business users with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license can now leverage Copilot from within the browser’s “Work” tab for:- Page Summarization: Automatically generate actionable summaries of any open web page, saving researchers, analysts, and students hours of manual scanning.
- Contextual Queries: Ask Copilot for insights based on the current page’s content, enabling powerful, context-sensitive questions that go far beyond basic search.
- Prompt Suggestions: Not sure what to ask? Copilot offers tailored prompt suggestions, nudging users toward more productive and relevant queries.
Business-centric Upgrades
Integration of Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat with Find on Page
Business users get a further boost as the familiar ‘Find on Page’ (CTRL+F) function will soon tie into Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat. This pairing harnesses generative AI to help find relevant content more intelligently, filtering results based on meaning rather than crude keyword matching. In information-rich documents, this could represent a substantial time saver.Fresh PDF Language Support
Edge’s built-in PDF reader, already enhanced through a partnership with Adobe Acrobat, now supports the “Add Text” feature in multiple languages. This is particularly useful for global teams and non-English-speaking regions, removing a barrier for cross-border work and study.Legacy Technology Deprecation
A more technical but noteworthy change is the official end-of-life for Mutation Events, a long-deprecated set of inherited web platform callbacks dating back to Internet Explorer days. Edge 137 kills the remaining policy flag (“MutationEventsEnabled”) that temporarily allowed enterprise environments to use these callbacks. The modern MutationObserver API is now the exclusive path forward—forcing web developers to modernize their codebases and improve browser performance and security. While this introduces short-term friction for legacy apps, it ultimately aligns Edge with broader web standards and promotes a healthier internet ecosystem.Critical Analysis: The Pros, the Cons, and the Risks
Major browser updates inevitably spark debate. Edge 137 is no exception. Let’s critically assess both the benefits and potential downsides of Microsoft’s decisions in this release.Strengths
Focused Experience and Reduced Clutter
By stripping out rarely-used or redundant features, Edge positions itself as a sleeker, more purposeful browser. Users may notice faster startup times, lower memory consumption, and a less cluttered Settings menu—attributes that are particularly valuable on resource-constrained devices.Security and Maintainability
Maintaining inactive or little-used features can increase attack surface and introduce hidden bugs. Removing experimental services (like Wallet’s original crypto ambitions) could reduce both real-world exploits and perceived risk, especially in the eyes of business customers with compliance requirements.Deepening AI Integration
Microsoft’s relentless pivot toward AI-enhanced workflows is, if nothing else, timely. As competitors like Google and Apple race to bake generative AI into every aspect of user experience, Copilot’s expanding presence in Edge keeps Microsoft at the forefront of this industry wave. The company’s willingness to expose Copilot APIs and prompt suggestions within the browser’s core interface reflects a strategic vision that goes beyond passive web consumption.Business-user Focus
Features like smarter PDF tools, AI-powered Find on Page, and contextual business chat ensure Edge remains competitive in the lucrative enterprise sector, where integration with Microsoft 365 is a powerful moat against Chrome and Firefox.Potential Risks and Drawbacks
Alienating Power Users
Removing long-standing features that have vocal, if niche, user bases can generate backlash—as seen with previous cuts to tools like set tabs aside or legacy reading lists. Even features that appear redundant (like mini menus) may underpin unique workflows critical to accessibility users, researchers, or educators. Microsoft’s risk is that a segment of its most loyal, engaged users will now look elsewhere for their browser needs.Perception of Abandonment
Frequent feature culling can suggest instability in product vision, undermining confidence among both users and developers. Competing browsers—such as Vivaldi, which touts its commitment to power-user features and customization—may seize this moment to attract unhappy Edge users with more stable or configurable alternatives.Dependence on AI Licensing
While Copilot is a centerpiece of Edge’s forward-looking narrative, its full power is gated behind a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. Many features—like page summarization and advanced chat—are thus unavailable to consumers or price-sensitive small businesses, blunting Edge’s differentiation. Should Microsoft change licensing terms or product direction, users could be left without critical tools.Controlled Rollouts Can Create Confusion
Microsoft’s practice of staged, behind-the-scenes feature rollouts, governed by server-side flags, can make it difficult for users to know exactly what version of Edge they have or what features they should expect. This opacity may hinder troubleshooting, slow adoption of best practices, and frustrate IT admins managing mixed environments.Open Questions and Future Directions
- Will removed features return as optional extensions? Microsoft has not ruled out the possibility that features like Image Editor or video upscaling might reemerge as installable add-ons if enough feedback accumulates.
- How will third-party developers respond? With the removal of features, there is opportunity for extension publishers to fill the gap—but only if Microsoft maintains a robust extension API.
- Is Edge on a path toward Chromification? As more unique features disappear and core browsing functions mirror those of Chrome, critics may charge that Edge’s main differentiator becomes its Microsoft 365 integration rather than standalone innovation.
Comparing Edge to the Competition
To contextualize these changes, it’s useful to briefly survey how major competitors handle similar features:| Feature | Edge (137) | Chrome | Firefox | Opera | Vivaldi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-browser Image Editor | Removed | No | No | Yes (some add-ons) | Yes (basic) |
| Mini Menus | Removed | No | No | No | Yes (customizable) |
| Video Upscaler | Removed | No (hardware support) | No (hardware support) | No | No |
| Wallet/Payment Hub | Moved to Passwords | Payment Partial (Cards) | No | No | No |
| AI Summarization | Copilot (licensed) | Gemini/AI search (beta) | No (requires add-ons) | Aria AI | No (third-party) |
| Smart Find on Page | Copilot (business) | No | No | No | No |
Advice for Edge Users
Power Users
If you depend on Image Editor, video upscaling, or mini menus, now is the time to look for alternatives—either through trusted extensions or workflow changes. For certain needs (like image hover menus), web extensions may partially restore lost convenience. If these tools are mission-critical, it’s worth exploring alternative browsers offering the desired feature set.Business and Enterprise Users
Monitor Edge’s Enterprise documentation for policy changes. The obsoletion of legacy policies like MutationEventsEnabled means admins must proactively update legacy apps and internal documentation. The continued investment in Copilot should be balanced against the cost and licensing constraints of Microsoft 365.General Consumers
Those less reliant on advanced features may notice Edge becoming simpler and possibly quicker. However, the true payoff of Edge 137 hinges on willingness to adopt AI-powered workflows, and, for now, much of the Copilot upgrade path remains gated behind business licenses.Conclusion: A Leaner, Smarter, Business-first Edge
Microsoft’s culling of legacy features in Edge 137 is both a response to changing user habits and a carefully calculated bet on the future of productivity in the browser. By minimizing clutter and channeling resources toward AI-integrated business tools, Edge cements its role as a critical piece of Microsoft’s enterprise cloud and workflow story. However, this transformation comes with real trade-offs—the most striking being the potential alienation of power users and a narrowing of Edge’s unique, consumer-facing identity.Whether these changes ultimately strengthen Edge’s position or open the door to a renaissance of feature-rich competitors will largely depend on how well Microsoft can balance its AI ambitions with the practical needs of its diverse user base. As always, the best browser will be the one most attuned to its users’ expectations—whether that means simplicity, raw speed, deep productivity integrations, or an unwavering commitment to customization and user control.
For now, Edge 137 is a clear signal: Microsoft is all-in on AI-powered productivity, and it’s trimming everything else that doesn’t fit that vision. Users should prepare—both for the promise, and the pitfalls, of a browser with fewer bells and whistles, but a much sharper focus on what comes next.
Source: Neowin Microsoft removes a lot of features from the Edge browser
