Microsoft Edge's new Performance Mode feature aims to optimize the browser's performa

[harlan4096]

Microsoft is testing a new feature in the Canary version of its Edge web browser. Called performance mode, it is designed to optimize the browser's performance.

The feature is being rolled out in Canary builds at the time of writing, We spotted it in Edge Version 91.0.859.0, the latest version at the time of writing.
Edge users who don't see the feature yet in the browser may launch Edge with the parameter --enable-features=msPerformanceModeToggle to unlock it in the settings of the browser.

Select Menu > Settings > System, and scroll down to the "Optimize Performance" section on the page to see if Performance Mode is listed as an option. If it is not, you may launch Edge with the parameter mentioned above to display it.

The feature is set to off by default, and you need to toggle it to "always on" to enable it.

The description provides insight on what it does:
 

Performance mode helps you optimize speed, responsiveness, memory, CPU and battery usage. Performance improvements might vary depending on your individual specifications and browser habits.

The actual tweaks that Performance Mode makes when enabled are unknown at this point. The only visible change is that the timer function for Sleeping Tabs becomes unavailable, likely because it is controlled by Performance Mode. It is highly unlikely that this is the only change, as it won't impact all the areas that Microsoft lists in the mode's description.

The feature is being rolled out gradually to all Edge Canary installations.  Performance Mode is just one of the performance related optimizations that Microsoft introduced in Edge recently. Sleeping Tabs was introduced earlier to save memory, CPU and power by putting inactive tabs to sleep.

Closing Words

Information is scarce on Edge's new performance mode. Microsoft promises optimizations in all major areas when the mode is enabled, but does not reveal much besides that. Benchmarks may show how well the new mode performs in comparison to Edge's regular mode, and whether users benefit from enabling it. Since it is only available in Edge Canary, it needs to be considered in development at this point in time.

Now You: What are your expectations in regards to the Performance Mode?
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