Microsoft tests a secured Edge browser for business

If the idea of a more secure Windows browser attracts you - and why you would not - then you may want to have a look at the latest Windows 10 Insider Preview Build. This is because it includes the Windows Defender application protector for Microsoft Edge, which was announced last September but is finally available for testing today. This application protector essentially encloses your browser in a virtual machine, so that if your browser is never attacked by malware, it will not affect the rest of your PC.

To enable it, you must use the "Enable or Disable Windows Features" dialog box, and then select the "Windows Defender Application Protection" check box. Now, when you open Microsoft Edge and click the menu, you will see the "New Application Guard window" option. Click on it and a new special browser window will appear.

All this is possible thanks to Virtualization Based Security (VBS), which is possible thanks to Windows 10. The virtual PC created by Application Guard will keep the Edge browser separate from storage, other applications and the Windows 10 kernel. Other browsers offer "Sandboxes" too, but Microsoft says Application Guard is unique because there is a hardware container that makes it impossible for malware and other vulnerabilities to leak.

There are a couple of warnings. Running Edge on a virtual machine will probably slow down, and as each browser session is processed, all data and cookies are lost once it is closed. It is also available to Enterprise users for now, presumably because their security needs are much higher than the average person. However, perhaps it could be introduced as an optional feature later on for everyday users.

Apart from Application Guard, Windows 10 Insider Preview Build also includes an improved PDF Reader for Microsoft Edge and the integrated configuration of Cortana.