Browser Tips
Secret settings and the best extensions
EDGE
Switch on Edge’s performance monitor and VPN
Microsoft has removed the
‘Browser essentials’ button from Edge’s toolbar and split it into two separate features: Performance and Secure Network. The former lets you monitor the browser’s memory usage and switch on ‘efficiency mode’ to conserve your laptop’s battery life.
Secure Network lets you switch on Edge’s built-in VPN (technically a proxy), to encrypt your data and hide your IP address when you’re using public Wi-Fi or accessing potentially unsafe sites. Powered by Cloudflare,Secure Network gives you 5GB of free encrypted data per month. To reduce clutter on Edge’s toolbar, both features are hidden by default but they can be turned on manually. Click the three-dot menu button and choose Settings, then Appearance. Click ‘Toolbar’ and switch on the options Performance and ‘Secure network (VPN) button’ ( 1 in our screenshot).