The development cycle of the Microsoft Edge browser is marked by a continuous influx of new features, some of which enjoy longevity while others fade into obscurity. A notable feature introduced last year, rounded tabs, is now set to be discontinued. This change was first observed by Microsoft enthusiast Venkat in July, with subsequent updates confirming the impending removal of the rounded tabs feature.
The flag associated with this feature, #edge-visual-rejuv-rounded-tabs, has been updated to state, “This feature will be discontinued soon.” Upon reviewing the stable version of Edge, specifically version 127, it was noted that the rounded tabs feature was not enabled by default. This remains consistent in the latest rollout of Microsoft Edge version 128.
Although rounded tabs have been part of Edge for some time, they have not been the default design choice. The current tab layout closely resembles that of Chrome, featuring rounded edges on the sides while merging seamlessly with the bottom part of the tab. The rounded tab design, however, offers a distinct advantage, allowing each tab to stand out and be easily identifiable.
For those interested in exploring the rounded tab design, there exists an experimental setting that enables full-rounded corners in the tab strip. Yet, this option has lingered in the experimental phase for so long that it has not garnered much interest from users. Additionally, there is a flag that applies rounded corners to various browser elements; disabling the #edge-rounded-containers flag results in the loss of this rounded effect.
As Microsoft moves forward with its plans, the experimental flag for rounded tabs will be eliminated, along with support for the optional full-rounded corners feature. However, for users who find the rounded design appealing, there remains a way to enable it:
- Type edge://flags/ in the URL bar and press enter.
- Search for the #edge-visual-rejuv-rounded-tabs flag and set it to Enabled.
- Relaunch the browser to apply the setting.
- If the tab design doesn’t change, navigate to the Appearance settings and enable the “Try the new look and feel of Microsoft Edge” option.
- Restart Edge once more.
Upcoming Microsoft Edge Features
Looking ahead, the majority of new features in Edge will center around artificial intelligence. This shift indicates that many settings will leverage Copilot to enhance efficiency. Windows Latest has reported on several such features, including Copilot integration in the screenshot tool, an AI theme generator, a dedicated section for cryptocurrency wallets, site suggestions, and more.
In addition to AI-driven enhancements, performance improvement settings are also on the horizon. Features such as a RAM limiter and battery-saving options utilizing the built-in Windows 11 energy saver are expected to be introduced. In select regions, users may also benefit from a free 15GB VPN powered by Cloudflare within Microsoft Edge, which encrypts traffic and safeguards user IP addresses.
