Microsoft tests removal of optional features in Edge

While Microsoft is seemingly trying to turn its Edge browser into a platform unto itself with the list of growing features it continues to bake in, users may still long for the more streamlined experience it initially launched with and a new test may bring back that feeling.

The folks over at Windows Central spotted Twitter user Leo Varela (@leopeva64) who shared a GIF highlighting a new section within Microsoft’s latest Edge Canary release that allows users to remove certain ‘optional features’ from the browser. Valera’s GIF specifically walks through removing the cite this feature recently added to Edge which allowed users to quickly reference cited locations for recent searches.

It looks like Microsoft will let you remove some of Edge's features:https://t.co/t1HbJS6nhS
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I wonder what other features will be included in that section in the future… Games? E-tree? ???? pic.twitter.com/9aQC146rJM

— Leopeva64 (@Leopeva64) April 26, 2023

With the new ‘removal’ feature launching in the Edge Canary channel there is a possibility it doesn’t make its way into the consumer version of the browser. However, Microsoft has dedicated some supplemental dialogue to walk users through the features planned purpose, and that could be a good signal that the company intends for this to be public facing at some point.

Choose your own features with Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge now lets you turn off optional browser features so as to make it the fastest browsing experience for you. Features that are turned off are still available to you but will require a small download to enable.

For those who bemoaned the addition of seemingly unavailing features to the Edge browser such as a Crypto Wallet, embedded financing options, citations and even the new Bing Chat client, this new development in the Canary channel could finally be the right balance of feature development and user customization necessary to keep Edge relevant and usable.