Microsoft announced on October 29, 2026, that Microsoft Edge is the first browser to support accelerated app launches on Windows 11, rolling out starting with version 150.
Faster Browser Launches
Microsoft stated that Edge is the first browser to support accelerated app launches on Windows. Most Windows users will see a 15 percent launch speed improvement, with wins of up to 33 percent under heavy multitasking when Edge is already running.
The feature has already rolled out starting with Microsoft Edge version 150 and later. It is supported on Windows 11 versions 25H2, 26H2, and 26H1 with the October 2026 non-security update (KB5127936) or later.
How the Feature Works
Without accelerated app launches, Windows must start an intermediary process to check if Edge is already running before forwarding the request. With the new capability, an Edge process sends a registration request to Windows when it starts.
Windows accepts the request and uses the registration to notify the already running Edge process directly during subsequent launches. This is supported by the Start menu, the Taskbar, and opening supported default links.
Chromium Contribution
Microsoft is also contributing this work to Chromium, the open-source project underlying Edge. This will allow other Chromium-based browsers to benefit from accelerated launches on Windows in the future.
Key facts and where they come from
- Edge is the first browser to support accelerated app launches on Windows.
Edge is the first browser to support accelerated app launches on Windows
- Most Windows users see a 15% launch speed improvement, with wins up to 33% under heavy multitasking.
most Windows users will see a 15% launch speed improvement, with wins of up to 33% under heavy multitasking!
- The feature has rolled out starting with Microsoft Edge version 150 and later.
rolled out starting with Microsoft Edge version 150 and later
- It is supported on Windows 11 versions 25H2, 26H2, and 26H1 with update KB5127936 or later.
supported on Windows 11, versions 25H2, 26H2, 26H1 with the October 2026 non-security update (KB5127936) or later.
