Most web browsers are typically set up to automatically download and install updates. However, the necessary restart to complete the update process is not performed automatically.
Companies like Google and Microsoft are developing automation features for their browsers. In the coming months, Google plans to launch an AI initiative designed to help users by automating various tasks.
To address the slow pace of browser updates, Microsoft has rolled out Instant Updates. This feature, while still requiring a browser restart, aims to streamline that process for users.
Key details:
- Instant Updates is exclusively available for managed devices (Enterprise).
- The restart happens only after the user has been inactive for 15 minutes and in the absence of wake locks.
- This feature does not take into account any unsaved work on websites or web applications.
Microsoft reports that the feature is currently in private preview and is disabled by default to reduce potential data loss risks.
In the FAQ section of their support page, Microsoft also cautions that turning on the feature could lead to content loss: “This feature is designed to update the browser when you aren’t actively using it, but there’s a risk of losing any input if you have unsaved work or open tabs that could be lost or closed during the update. While not comprehensive, content input loss may happen in scenarios such as unsaved documents and incomplete forms.”
In other words, if you leave your computer without ensuring all your inputted data or work is saved, you could risk losing that information upon your return.
Microsoft Edge provides a 5-minute warning prior to automatically restarting. This alert serves to notify users of the impending browser restart, and users can opt to cancel the restart if they wish.
The Instant Updates feature from Microsoft aims to streamline the update installation procedure by enabling automatic browser restarts. The company has provided similar capabilities in Windows for several years, though this has sometimes resulted in unintended restarts that lead to lost work.
Unlike the Windows version, this feature is not enabled by default, which is a positive aspect; however, it remains uncertain if this will be the case once the preview phase ends. Additionally, it is not clear whether it will eventually be released for consumer versions of Microsoft Edge.
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