What's new in EdgeHTML 16

Article
11/03/2020

This documentation is archived and is not being maintained.

Here's a list of the new and updated features shipped in EdgeHTML 16 web platform, as part of the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (10/2017, Build 16299). For changes in specific Windows Insider Preview builds, see the Microsoft Edge Changelog and What's New in EdgeHTML.

Here's the permalink for the following list of changes: https://aka.ms/devguide_edgehtml_16.

New and updated features

CSS Grid Layout

Microsoft Edge now supports the un-prefixed implementation of CSS Grid Layout. Grid Layout defines a two-dimensional grid-based layout system which enables more layout fluidity than possible with positioning using floats or scripts. The example below uses CSS Grid Layout to create the structure for a basic web page.

CSS object-fit and object-position

EdgeHTML 16 introduces support for CSS properties object-fit and object-position. These properties control the position and size of replaced content within the content box.

Developer Tools

This release we started a major Microsoft Edge DevTools refactoring effort for improved robustness and performance, and also added a bunch of new features you can start using today on Windows Insider builds. Check out the Microsoft Edge DevTools guide for more on what's changed!

JavaScript

EdgeHTML 16 builds on Javascript performance optimizations of previous releases by expanding the Chakra engine's ability to defer/re-defer functions, use polymorphic inline caches, and optimize functions with try/finally blocks.

Additionally, features first previewed in EdgeHTML 15 are now stable and enabled by default:

New features

On by default

WebAssembly MVP (demo)
Shared Memory and Atomics

Payment Request API

The Payment Request API is an open, cross-browser standard that enables browsers to act as an intermediary between merchants, consumers, and payment methods (such as credit cards) that consumers have stored in the cloud. The API in EdgeHTML 16 has been updated to match the latest W3C Payment Request API specification. This includes:

Support for the canMakePayment() method
Support for the requestId property
Support for the id property
The default value for the complete() method's result parameter changed from " " to "unknown"

Service Workers

Service Workers are event-driven scripts that run in the background of a web page. Service workers enable functionality previously only available with native apps like intercepting and handling requests from the network, managing and handling background sync, local storage, and push notifications. Support for service worker is still in development, but you can test out your PWA in Microsoft Edge with our experimental service worker support by enabling the service worker feature in about:flags.

WebVR

WebVR for Microsoft Edge has added support for motion controllers. These controllers have a precise position in space, allowing for fine grained interaction with digital objects in virtual reality.

WebVR has also been optimized to support two different types of experiences.

Windows Mixed Reality PCs - Desktops and laptops with integrated graphics. When plugged into these devices, our immersive headsets will run at 60 frames per second.
Windows Mixed Reality Ultra PCs - Desktops and laptops with discrete graphics. When plugged into these devices, our immersive headsets will run at 90 frames per second.

Both setups will support the same immersive video and gaming experiences.

For more info about the upcoming Windows Mixed Reality updates, check out the Windows Mixed Reality holiday update blog post.

For guides and demos, head over to the WebVR Developer Guide.

Note

Since the WebVR spec is still in development, Microsoft Edge's implementation may change later down the line.

New APIs in EdgeHTML 16

Here's the full list of new APIs in EdgeHTML 16. They are listed in the format of [interface name].[api name].

Note

Although the following APIs are exposed in the DOM, the end-to-end behavior of some might still be in development. Refer to Microsoft Edge platform status for the official word on feature support.