Recently, Microsoft released Edge version 103 which introduced a better version of the “Efficiency Mode.” The efficiency mode is not a new concept for the browser, since it has had the feature, previously known as “Performance Mode,” for quite some time now. However, you can say that the efficiency mode in Edge has been repurposed.
What is Efficiency Mode in Microsoft Edge
Previously, efficiency mode was a feature in Microsoft Edge that allowed the browser to conserve energy and extend battery life by putting the tabs in the background to sleep after 5 minutes of inactivity, and consuming fewer system resources. Although the feature was enabled by default, it meant that the animations would be slower the video playbacks won’t be smooth. With Microsoft Edge 103, this concept remains, but with a little iteration. Now, Edge offers a more advanced version of efficiency mode where it does all that mentioned above, plus it also improves your gaming experience by reducing the resource consumption of other browsers and directing the power to the window playing the online game. Efficiency mode can now save up on energy through idle tabs in the background while boosting your gaming experience on the window/tab where the game is playing.
How to Enable/Disable Efficiency Mode in Microsoft Edge
When you upgrade to Edge 103, the efficiency mode is already enabled by default. You can disable it or re-enable it using the following guide to simply toggle the feature. While performing step 2 above, do not be confused by the “Turn on efficiency mode when” option. This is the older efficiency mode feature that saves system resources and power consumption which we talked about earlier. Here, you can choose when Edge conserves energy from the drop-down menu out of the following 4 options:
Unplugged, low batteryUnpluggedAlwaysNever
Final Thoughts
With Microsoft Edge version 103, several improvements have been included to enhance a gamer’s experience whilst playing online games, especially through the Xbox Cloud Gaming platform. Edge is also integrated deep within the Windows 10 and 11 operating systems, which is why Microsoft recommends that you do not uninstall it. That said, we believe that Microsoft Edge will eventually catch on and become the more popular web browser, especially if Microsoft keeps making such drastic improvements. Let us know your favorite web browser and why it is so in the comments below.
