What you need to know
- Microsoft Edge Insider MSIX installer packages for Windows 10X and HoloLens 2 are now available.
- It's the first time the new Microsoft Edge is available on HoloLens 2.
- Microsoft Edge operates via a SHIM on Windows 10X and HoloLens 2.
Microsoft has released the MSIX installer packages of Edge Insider channels for Windows 10X and HoloLens 2 today. Microsoft previewed the new Microsoft Edge on Windows 10X earlier this year, and the availability of the MSIX allows Windows 10X emulator testers to install an Insider channel of their choice.
The big news is the introduction of Microsoft Edge Insider for HoloLens 2. This is the first time we're seeing the new Microsoft Edge be made available for the WCOS-based HoloLens 2 headset, allowing those customers to take advantage of the new and improved web rendering and performance capabilities of the new Edge.
Up until now, HoloLens 2, like Xbox, has shipped with the old version of Microsoft Edge as those platforms aren't capable of running legacy Win32 programs. The MSIX version of the new Microsoft Edge, when installed on a WCOS product, operates via a SHIM that allows the legacy application to run as if it were a modern app, translating those legacy APIs and talking to the OS as if it were native.
This was previewed with the Windows 10X emulator builds that were released earlier in the year, and today's Insider builds operate the same way on HoloLens 2. Microsoft hasn't released an MSIX for Xbox specifically, but the MSIX package does say Xbox is supported. Unfortunately, there's no way to sideload an MSIX package on Xbox at this time.
If you have the Windows 10X emulator or a HoloLens 2 headset around, you can download the MIcrosoft Edge Beta, Dev, or Canary MSIX now and install the browser today. Let us know how it goes!
Zac Bowden is a Senior Editor at Windows Central. Bringing you exclusive coverage into the world of Windows 10 on PCs, tablets, phones, and more. Also an avid collector of rare Microsoft prototype devices! Keep in touch on Twitter: @zacbowden.
