Microsoft Edge's new Instant Updates feature could result in data loss

[harlan4096]

Most web browsers are set up to download and install updates automatically. What does not happen automatically is the restart that is required to complete the process.

Major companies like Google or Microsoft are working on automations for browsers. Google plans to reveal an AI project in the coming months that takes over user tasks.

Microsoft has created Instant Updates to address delayed browser updates. While the feature still requires a restart of the browser, Instant Updates is designed to make that restart automatically on behalf of the user.

The details:

• Instant Updates is currently only available for managed devices (Enterprise).
  
• It restarts the browser only if no user activity has been recorded for 15 minutes and if there are no wake locks.
  
• The feature does not take into account unsaved work on websites or webapps.
  

Microsoft explains that the feature is in private preview right now. It is disabled by default furthermore, which limits problems that may arise with data loss.

Still, in the FAQ on the support page, Microsoft highlights that content can be lost, if the feature is enabled: "This feature is designed to update the browser when you aren't actively using it, but there's a risk of content input loss if you have unsaved work or open tabs that could be lost or closed during the update. While not an exhaustive list, content input loss might occur in the following scenarios: unsaved documents and unsaved incomplete forms."

In other words; if you step away from the PC without making sure that anything you entered or did is saved, then you may lose that input or work when you resume work on the device.

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