Microsoft Edge has become the first web browser to support Windows 11's new accelerated app launch feature, a capability designed to streamline how applications open on the operating system. This integration allows the browser to achieve a 15 percent improvement in launch speed under normal conditions, with potential gains reaching up to 33 percent for users who are multitasking heavily on their PCs.
The update enabling this functionality is included in the October 2026 non-security update for Windows 11, identified as KB5127936. Currently available as an optional release, this patch also introduces an updated context menu and Cloud Rebuild features. Because Edge serves as the built-in browser for Windows 11, Microsoft prioritized it for the initial rollout of this technology, which requires cooperation between the application and the operating system.
Previously, clicking a link to open Edge required Windows to determine if the browser was already running by initiating an intermediary search process. While this might not be noticeable on a freshly booted machine, performance can degrade during heavy multitasking. The new accelerated app launch feature addresses this by sending a registration request to Windows when the browser is first opened. This allows the system to locate the Edge instance quickly the next time it is launched via a link, provided the application is already running in the background.
The speed improvements apply to launches initiated from the Start menu, the Taskbar, and supported links that default to opening in Edge. Although this feature enhances the user experience, Microsoft does not view it as an exclusive selling point for Edge. The company is contributing its work on accelerated app launch to the Chromium project, allowing other Chromium-based browsers to eventually benefit from the same performance gains. Additionally, Microsoft is working to extend this functionality to improve how PDF files are opened within the ecosystem.
Sources: Windows Central.