Microsoft Edge's new customization settings go far beyond dark mode
Pick a browser theme and a color to suit your mood
Microsoft is bringing a new batch of customization options to Edge, allowing you to totally customize the look of your browser.
Software developers have been gradually adding much-loved dark mode options to and endless stream of apps, but Microsoft is getting more colorful with Edge. In future versions of the browser is will be possible to choose from a wide range of theme to help create a personalized look.
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The new options follow Chrome's lead, and let you choose from no fewer than 14 color-based themes, and download even more styles from the Chrome Web Store. The similarity in approach is a result of Edge now being based on the same Chromium engine as Google's browser.
The choices available from within Edge without the need to venture to a store are Morning Fog, Icy Mint, Island Gateway, Cool Breeze, Silly Pink, Bubblegum, Sunny day, Mango Paradise, Dark and Stormy, Cool State, Moonlight Glow, Juicy Plum, Spicy Red, and Mystical Forest. Like the names of paint in the hardware store, not all of these give much of a hint about what to expect in terms of color, but there is a helpful preview to help you to make your choice.
A rainbow of color
As is very often the case with new features like this, Microsoft is testing them out on people using preview builds of Edge. If you want to take a look at the new customization options for yourself, you need to be running the Canary build of Edge 91 or the Dev build of Edge 90. Both of these browser versions are available to download.
To try the new themes, you also need to enable an optional flag. To do this, launch Edge and use the following steps:
- Pay a visit to edge://flags
- Search for Enable picker for colour based themes
- Use the drop-down menu to enable the setting
- Click the button to restart the browser
Now you can open up Edge's settings, head to the Appearance section, and you'll find new Theme options.
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Via Techdows
Sofia is a tech journalist who's been writing about software, hardware and the web for nearly 25 years – but still looks as youthful as ever! After years writing for magazines, her life moved online and remains fueled by technology, music and nature.
Having written for websites and magazines since 2000, producing a wide range of reviews, guides, tutorials, brochures, newsletters and more, she continues to write for diverse audiences, from computing newbies to advanced users and business clients. Always willing to try something new, she loves sharing new discoveries with others.
Sofia lives and breathes Windows, Android, iOS, macOS and just about anything with a power button, but her particular areas of interest include security, tweaking and privacy. Her other loves include walking, music, her two Malamutes and, of course, her wife and daughter.