Microsoft Edge Will No Longer Support ePub

As you may already know, the classic 'Spartan' Edge browser includes the ability to read EPUB files. This feature was first introduced in Windows 10 Creators Update. However, the newest Chromium-based Microsoft Edge browser won't include the EPUB support anymore.

EPUB is an extremely popular format for e-books. Technically, it uses ZIP compression and files with a special markup. The classic Edge app can display EPUB files natively in its tabs.

Its built-in EPUB reader includes the following features:

• the ability to adjust the font size,
• the ability to customize the font,
• three themes to change the book's appearance.
• the ability to annotate your EPUB books.
• the ability to add bookmarks, highlights, and read aloud.

Microsoft has decided to not include the EPUB reader in the Chromium-based Edge. The official announcements reveals that Microsoft Edge will no longer support e-books that use the .epub file extension. The company recommends to visit the Microsoft Store to see their list of recommended .ePub apps. Microsoft has collaborated with their partners and the DAISY Consortium to shortlist a few accessible ePub applications within the Microsoft Store. These apps are expected to be available in the Microsoft Store after September 2019. You can review the current set of recommended apps in the Microsoft Store collection. 

As you may already know, Microsoft is currently using three channels to deliver updates to Edge Insiders. The Canary channel receives updates daily (except Saturday and Sunday), the Dev channel is getting updates weekly, and the Beta channel is updated every 6 weeks. The stable channel is also on its way to users.

Actual Microsoft Edge Versions

The actual pre-release versions of Edge Chromium at the moment of this writing are as follows:

• Beta Channel: 77.0.235.9
• Dev Channel: 78.0.249.1 (see what's new in this version)
• Canary Channel: 78.0.256.0

I have covered many Edge tricks and features in the following post:

Hands-on with the new Chromium-based Microsoft Edge

Also, see the following updates.

• Latest Microsoft Edge Canary Features Tab Hover Cards
• Microsoft Edge Now De-Elevates Itself Automatically
• Microsoft Details Edge Chromium Roadmap
• Microsoft Enables Global Media Controls in Microsoft Edge
• How to Use Cloud Powered Voices in Microsoft Edge Chormium
• Microsoft Edge Chromium: Never Translate, Prepopulate Find with Text Selection
• Enable Caret Browsing in Microsoft Edge Chromium
• Enable IE Mode in Chromium Edge
• Stable Update Channel Made its First Appearance for Microsoft Edge Chromium
• Microsoft Edge Chromium Receives an Updated Password Reveal Button
• What are Controlled Feature Roll-outs in Microsoft Edge
• Edge Canary Adds New InPrivate Text Badge, New Sync Options
• Microsoft Edge Chromium: Clear Browsing Data on Exit
• Microsoft Edge Chromium Now Allows Switching Theme
• Microsoft Edge: Support for Windows Spell Checker in Chromium Engine
• Microsoft Edge Chromium: Prepopulate Find with Text Selection
• Microsoft Edge Chromium Gets Tracking Prevention Settings
• Microsoft Edge Chromium: Change Display Language
• Group Policy Templates for Microsoft Edge Chromium
• Microsoft Edge Chromium: Pin Sites To Taskbar, IE Mode
• Microsoft Edge Chromium Will Allow Uninstalling PWAs as Desktop Apps
• Microsoft Edge Chromium Includes YouTube Video Info in Volume Control OSD
• Microsoft Edge Chromium Canary Features Dark Mode Improvements
• Show Icon Only for Bookmark in Microsoft Edge Chromium
• Autoplay Video Blocker is coming to Microsoft Edge Chromium
• Microsoft Edge Chromium is Receiving New Tab Page Customization Options
• Enable Microsoft Search in Microsoft Edge Chromium
• Grammar Tools Are Now Available in Microsoft Edge Chromium
• Microsoft Edge Chromium Now Follows System Dark Theme
• Here’s how Microsoft Edge Chromium looks on macOS
• Microsoft Edge Chromium now installs PWAs in the root of the Start menu
• Enable Translator in Microsoft Edge Chromium
• Microsoft Edge Chromium Dynamically Changes Its User Agent
• Microsoft Edge Chromium Warns When Running as Administrator
• Change Search Engine In Microsoft Edge Chromium
• Hide or Show Favorites Bar in Microsoft Edge Chromium
• Install Chrome Extensions in Microsoft Edge Chromium
• Enable Dark Mode in Microsoft Edge Chromium
• Chrome Features Removed and Replaced by Microsoft in Edge
• Microsoft Released Chromium-based Edge Preview Versions
• Chromium-Based Edge to Support 4K and HD Video Streams
• Microsoft Edge Insider extension now available in Microsoft Store
• Hands-on with the new Chromium-based Microsoft Edge
• Microsoft Edge Insider Addons Page Revealed
• Microsoft Translator is Now Integrated with Microsoft Edge Chromium