Microsoft Edge Dev channel takes first step to major version 88, Beta moves to 87

Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge (Image credit: Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • The Microsoft Edge Dev channel got its first bump to version 88 today.
  • This build brings inking for screenshots and marks the first build available for Linux.
  • There's also the usual big batch of bug fixes and general improvements.

The latest weekly build for the Microsoft Edge Dev channel is here, and it marks the browser's first jump to major version 88. It also has the honor of being the first public build that's available for Linux. Beyond that, the build introduces a new screenshot inking feature, along with the usual bunch of bug fixes and performance improvements.

This build is rolling out as version 88.0.673.0. New in this build is the option to take a screenshot and then begin inking over it. There are also several new management policies for organizations to be aware of. Here's a rundown of everything that's new and improved, according to Microsoft's release notes:

  • Added the ability to take a screenshot of a webpage and add ink to it.
  • Added extra error information to tabs when they crash due to sandbox conflict.
  • Improved Single Sign-On support on Mac.
  • Added a management policy to control the Edge Shopping Assistant. Note that updates to documentation and administrative templates haven't been made yet.
  • Added a management policy to configure how URLs are copied from Edge. Note that updates to documentation and administrative templates haven't happened yet.
  • Added a management policy to prevent the automatic redirection of incompatible websites from Internet Explorer to Edge. Note that this policy specifically prevents the installation of a component in Internet Explorer required for redirection to occur, and updates to documentation and administrative templates haven't happened yet.
  • Added a management policy to control the automatic redirection of incompatible websites from Internet Explorer to Edge. Note that this redirection is enabled by default, and updates to documentation and administrative templates haven't happened yet.
  • Added a management policy to hide the informational dialog that's shown the first time an automatic redirection from an incompatible website in Internet Explorer to Edge occurs. Note that hiding this popup also disables the automatic import of user data from Internet Explorer to Edge and updates to documentation and administrative templates haven't happened yet.
  • Deprecated the management policy to allow WebDriver to Override Incompatible Policies.
  • Fixed an issue where the prompt to restore tabs isn't shown when Edge is automatically closed due to the device restarting or turning off.
  • Fixed an issue where attaching a file while submitting feedback sometimes crashes the browser.
  • Fixed a crash when closing the browser.
  • Fixed a crash when installing a website as an app.
  • Fixed a hang when opening the browser.
  • Fixed a hang when closing the browser.
  • Fixed a hang when disabling an extension.
  • Fixed a hang when opening a website installed as an app.
  • Fixed an issue where clearing hosted app data when closing the browser also clears cookies.
  • Fixed an issue where "default.log" files are sometimes created in various user-visible locations on a device.
  • Fixed an issue where folders in the Favorites menu don't remember that they were previously open.
  • Fixed an issue where websites installed as apps sometimes use icons that are too big on the Start menu.
  • Fixed an issue where form fields in some PDFs can't be filled in.
  • Fixed an issue where dropdowns on webpages sometimes can't be used or closed.
  • Fixed an issue where dragging a link into the tab band to open a new tab doesn't work in fullscreen because Shy UI doesn't appear. Note that this has only been fixed for mouse users, and a fix for touch users is still needed.
  • Fixed an issue where sites that are supposed to open in IE mode sometimes open in regular tabs.
  • Fixed an issue where dialogs in IE mode tabs would sometimes prevent other Edge windows from being usable.
  • Fixed an issue where opening an IE mode tab sometimes causes full Internet Explorer to open.

For Beta channel users, you'll also see an update to Microsoft Edge version 87. This update brings features like the Price Comparison tool for Collections.

If you're already running a Microsoft Edge Dev channel build, this update is available now through the "About Microsoft Edge" portion of the settings menu. You can try out the Beta, Dev, and Canary channels by downloading them from the Edge Insider site. The stable version is also available through the official Microsoft Edge page.

Dan Thorp-Lancaster

Dan Thorp-Lancaster is the former Editor-in-Chief of Windows Central. He began working with Windows Central, Android Central, and iMore as a news writer in 2014 and is obsessed with tech of all sorts. You can follow Dan on Twitter @DthorpL and Instagram @heyitsdtl