Following Chrome, Microsoft Edge 109 is out with a new Text prediction feature

Due to the same release schedule, Microsoft Edge quickly catches Chrome in the version number race. So a few days after Chrome 109, Microsoft Edge 109 landed in the stable branch with a new feature for consumers, Text Predictions, that allows you to type faster. There are also a couple of other important changes, including a new certificate verifier bundled with the browser to replace the one integrated with the OS. Also Edge 109 features Account linking between a personal Microsoft account (MSA) and Azure Active Directory (AAD) account.

Sadly, text prediction is currently only available in English within the US, India, and Australia. But Microsoft promises to make it available for more markets in the near future.

It is worth noting that while most users has got Edge version 109.0.1518.49, those who are on the extended stable channel will remain on version 108 a bit longer. They have received the 108.0.1462.83 update.

Here are the key changes in Edge 109.

• Account Linking between a personal Microsoft account (MSA) and Azure Active Directory (AAD) account. Microsoft is enabling users to link a personal Microsoft account (MSA) and Azure Active Directory (AAD) account through work or school. Once linked, users can earn Microsoft Rewards points for Microsoft Bing searches done in their browser or Windows search box while signed in with their work or school account. For more information, see the Account Linking FAQ and the Account Linking IT Admins FAQ. Tenant admins can also control this feature in the Message Center section of the Microsoft 365 Admin Center or by using the LinkedAccountEnabled policy.
• TLS server certificate verification changes. In Microsoft Edge version 110, the certificate trust list and the certificate verifier will be decoupled from the host operating system’s root store. Instead, the default certificate trust list and the certificate verifier will be provided by and shipped with the browser. The MicrosoftRootStoreEnabled policy is now available for testing to control when the built-in root store and certificate verifier are used. Support for the policy is planned to be removed in Microsoft Edge version 111. For more information, see Changes to Microsoft Edge browser TLS server certificate verification | Microsoft Learn. Note: This is a controlled feature rollout in Microsoft Edge version 109. If you don't see this feature, check back as we continue our rollout.
• Text prediction. To help you write faster and with fewer mistakes, Microsoft Edge provides word and sentence predictions for long-form editable text fields on web pages. Administrators can control the availability of text predictions using the TextPredictionEnabled policy. Text prediction is currently only available in English within the US, India, and Australia. We will continue to add new languages and regions in future versions of Microsoft Edge.

Besides the new features, there are updates to Group Policies the browser supports. Here's what's new there.

New policies

• WebHidAllowAllDevicesForUrls - Allow listed sites to connect to any HID device
• WebHidAllowDevicesForUrls - Allow listed sites connect to specific HID devices
• WebHidAllowDevicesWithHidUsagesForUrls - Automatically grant permission to these sites to connect to HID devices containing top-level collections with the given HID usage
• MicrosoftRootStoreEnabled - Determines whether the Microsoft Root Store and built-in certificate verifier will be used to verify server certificates
• DefaultClipboardSetting - Default clipboard site permission
• ClipboardAllowedForUrls - Allow clipboard use on specific sites
• ClipboardBlockedForUrls - Block clipboard use on specific sites
• SearchFiltersEnabled - Search Filters Enabled

Deprecated policies

• SetTimeoutWithout1MsClampEnabled - Control Javascript setTimeout() function minimum timeout
• ExemptDomainFileTypePairsFromFileTypeDownloadWarnings - Disable download file type extension-based warnings for specified file types on domains

Finally, Edge fixes two vulnerabilities, CVE-2023-21775 and CVE-2023-21796. You can learn more on the official website here.

Edge's main competitor, Google Chrome 109, has more impressive change log. The browser features a new site permission indicator, a dedicated information dialog for the open web page, improved updater, and quick access to Google Lens on the new tab page. You can find what's new in Chrome 109 in our dedicated post.