Microsoft Edge Tests Color & Background Themes with Live Preview for Browser Personalization

Microsoft has updated Edge’s Appearance settings in the Canary version with Color and Image Themes, along with a Preview Pane that shows how Edge looks when you apply theme and wallpaper changes in real-time. This is a major theme customization upgrade for sure.

Microsoft Edge already offers built-in themes, including light, dark, and device-specific modes, along with AI-generated themes through a dedicated web app for personalization of the browser. Now, Edge is taking customization to the next level with new theming and wallpaper options in its Canary build, porting images and NTP background customization options to Appearance settings.

Edge’s Appearance settings in the Canary version now include two distinct tabs under the Theme section: Color Theme and Image Theme.

The Color Theme tab allows users to explore various color themes along with a live preview below, showing how Edge will look once applied.

In the Image Theme tab, users can see a current preview of their theme featuring a wallpaper. They can choose from a collection of wallpapers provided by Edge or select their own uploaded image. Additionally, users can customize the color scheme with four preset options or use a color picker for exact adjustments.

Edge still allows “Refresh wallpapers daily” with a toggle, which automatically applies new wallpapers to Edge.

Microsoft is consolidating theme and background customization within a single settings panel, rather than splitting them between Appearance settings and the New Tab Page. This allows users to preview and apply themes, wallpapers, and color schemes easily without switching between multiple sections.

Chrome with Side Panel lets you customize the new tab page and browser with theme options, where you can see changes immediately when selecting a theme with the side panel open. Microsoft Edge provides an even better preview option showing how Edge will change when you select a theme or wallpaper.

Do note the theme and wallapaer customization changes in appearance settings being tested in Canary verison.

That’s not all. Microsoft may soon replace Edge’s tab actions menu with a tab search button featuring a left pane. Additionally, Microsoft Edge is adding a Copilot button throughout the interface to push its AI features. Microsoft has also prepared an Edge Android extensions page, allowing users to install extensions soon.

What’s your take on this? Let us know in the comments below!