Microsoft Edge 124 Beta updates the First Run Experience, and it could be the feature that makes the browser bigger than ever

Edge 124 made its way to the Beta Channel before its stable release, and similar to its Edge Dev 124 update, this one is quite big, and it has a lot of new features, changes, and improvements, while also implementing new policies, and deprecating other policies as well.

The Beta 124 patch has a plethora of new features, but the most interesting one (and the most useful one, if you ask us) is the new ability to allow first-time Edge users to cancel unintentional creations, such as accounts, profiles, and setting ups, in a way that’s easy and convenient.

The feature is now part of the Edge Beta 124, but Microsoft said they’re gradually rolling it out in a controlled manner, so not everybody will get access to it right away. However, once they do, the perks will be quite big: new users won’t have to worry about enabling something that does not fit their style of browsing, as that can be easily undone.

The new updates to the profile options in the new profile experience are necessary if Microsoft wants Edge to become more popular than ever before. Why? Because it provides a seamless and easy introduction of the browser to the new users. The browser is already quite good, and many believe it is better than Google Chome, but it does not have its popularity.

You can see all the new features, changes, and improvements coming with Edge Beta 124, below:

Feature updates

• Email notifications for extension requests in the Microsoft Edge management service. The Microsoft Edge management service provides admins with the ability to receive email notifications for extensions that their users requested. This helps inform them promptly of any new feedback. Note: This experience is in public preview and can be accessed by opting in to targeted release in the Microsoft 365 admin center.
• Updated default profile pill for EDU users in Edge for Business. To improve the applicability of the current Edge for Business default visuals, users signed in with an EDU account will see the default profile pill label updated to “School”.
• Desktop Shortcut for New Enterprise Devices. New Microsoft Enterprise devices running through Windows Out of Box Experience (OOBE) for the first time will see a Microsoft Edge desktop shortcut automatically created. This desktop shortcut provides users with an alternative way to access their Microsoft Edge browser without needing to manually pin and configure their set-up.
• Updated profile options in new profile experience. Many users unintentionally create empty profiles, cluttering their workspace and impeding their browsing experience. To reduce clutter and the likelihood of profile churn, updated First Run Experience (FRE) string options encourage users to sign-in and meaningfully create profiles for an improved browsing experience, or easily cancel unintentional creation. Note: This feature is a controlled feature rollout. If you don’t see this feature, check back as we continue our rollout.
• Copilot Page Context Policies. To summarize and answer questions based on page context in Microsoft Edge, Copilot needs to be able to access the page content. We’re providing two new policies to offer more flexibility for admins to customize Edge page context access across Copilot chats in Edge sidebar.
  • CopilotPageContext – Control Copilot access to page contents for Microsoft Entra ID profiles
  • CopilotCDPPageContext – Control Copilot with Commercial Data Protection access to page contents for Microsoft Entra ID profiles
  • The DiscoverPageContextEnabled policy is deprecated in Edge version 124 and will be obsoleted in Edge version 127.
• Updates to Settings pages on privacy, security, search, & services. To improve ease of use, we’re updating Edge settings page into two sections: “Privacy and Security” and “Search and Services.” This streamlined approach should enable users to find the settings they’re interested in more easily. Note: This feature is a controlled feature rollout. If you don’t see this feature, check back as we continue our rollout.
• Removal of Web SQL. Web SQL support is fully removed. In prior releases, Web SQL support was disabled by default but could be re-enabled via the WebSQLAccess policy. After this change, there’s no longer any mechanism to enable Web SQL support. This change is happening in the Chromium project, on which Microsoft Edge is based. For more information, see Intent to Deprecate and Remove Web SQL.
• Sidebar Tools App – SpeedTest. Adding a SpeedTest answer by default to the Tools app in the Microsoft Edge sidebar. For more information, see Manage the sidebar in Microsoft Edge.
• Updated reauthentication flyout when Web Single Sign-On (SSO) fails. Users who encounter Web single sign-on (SSO) failures for User Interaction Required (UIR) accounts will experience a flyout with a call to action to sign in and verify their account.
• Updated profile management and customization controls. Enhancing the profile management and customization experience through surfaced profile controls and an expanded range of default avatars. With these updates, users can effortlessly tailor their profiles to their preferences and select from a broader collection of profile avatars.

Policy updates

New policies

• CopilotCDPPageContext – Control Copilot with Commercial Data Protection access to page contents for Microsoft Entra ID profiles
• CopilotPageContext – Control Copilot access to page contents for Microsoft Entra ID profiles
• MutationEventsEnabled – Enable deprecated/removed Mutation Events

Deprecated policies

• DiscoverPageContextEnabled – Enable Discover access to page contents for AAD profiles (deprecated)

Obsoleted policies

• ThrottleNonVisibleCrossOriginIframesAllowed – Allows enabling throttling of non-visible, cross-origin iframes (obsolete)
• WebSQLAccess – Force WebSQL to be enabled (obsolete)