Microsoft today announced the release of a preview version of its Edge Chromium browser for devices running Windows 7, 8, and 8.1.
The Chromium-based Microsoft Edge browser uses the same core used by Google Chrome and other browsers like Vivaldi, Opera, and Brave.
Microsoft initially released the browser for its Windows 10 operating system, but later released it for Apple devices. As of today, it is officially available for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. There is currently no version for Linux distributions.
Microsoft's current strategy doesn't seem to be focused solely on Windows 10, although it initially used it to make upgrading to Windows much more attractive.
Downloads are available now on the official Microsoft Edge Insider website. Simply visit the page and click the download button next to the operating system you want to install Edge on.
Currently, only the Canary Channel version is available for Windows 7 and 8.1 operating systems. Canary is the version that is actively being developed. The Dev Channel version is only available for Windows 10, and the first versions will soon be released to the Beta Channel, which currently has no version.
Microsoft says the experience for older platforms is "largely the same" as Windows 10, and that features like the upcoming Internet Explorer emulation feature will also be available on devices running Windows 7 and 8.1.
The new Microsoft Edge browser differs in many ways from Chrome and other Chromium-based browsers. It has some extensions that are only available for that browser, while it will also support Google Chrome extensions.
Microsoft has not yet revealed the release date of the final version of the new browser.
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