Forum Discussion
Elliot Kirk
Jan 13, 2020Former Employee
Discussion - Updating our interface with Fluent touches
Hi Insiders. We have received a whole lot of feedback on the overall design of the next version of Microsoft Edge. First off, we would like to thank you all for the feedback that you have submitted. ...
- Jul 14, 2020
Thank you so much for all your feedback on the overall design of the new version of Edge, as it is invaluable to our getting the experience right. A common thread through this feedback has been a lot of discussion about the definition of “Fluent” design, and how it should apply to Microsoft products, so we wanted to share an update to provide some clarity. As opposed to a specific or static set of design rules, Fluent is intended to be an ever-evolving design system across Microsoft products. As the world around us continues to evolve, including devices, interaction models, user habits and expectations, the Microsoft design system must also evolve to meet the changing needs of our users. This means Fluent will not necessarily always represent everything that it did several years ago when the look and feel of the legacy version of Edge was first developed. You can learn more about the current direction of Fluent by visiting the Fluent Design System Page, which provides a summary of the design system as a whole, as well as how it applies to different platforms, applications and controls across Microsoft.
If you browse through the Fluent guidance at the link above, you’ll note that the new version of Edge is aligned with the current direction Fluent is going, and we will continue to evolve along with the design system and Microsoft as a whole. While Edge may be one of the first to put some of these new Fluent elements into practice, you will continue to see other products across the company update to reflect this direction as well. For example, you’ll notice that the latest Fluent designs are characterized by rounded corners across objects and controls, and the new version of Edge is consistent with that guidance. Another example is that there isn't a pivotal focus on transparency in the latest Fluent designs, and surfaces of the new version of Edge reflects this.
This is not to say we will never consider incorporating such aspects into our designs going forward, or perhaps offering options to customize the look and feel, but there are no plans to incorporate these elements into the default experience for all users at this time. However, there are other design investments on our roadmap to continue aligning with the broader Fluent direction, such as updating icons and illustrations across the product. Please continue to send your feedback on the overall Edge look and feel, including preferences and pain points, as we are always open to learning more and updating our direction based on the needs of our users.
- The Microsoft Edge Team
ilikered
Jun 03, 2021Copper Contributor
MissyQ I have raised it before several months on this thread and also sent feedback multiple times. Still unable to switch from Chrome because of this.
sdmarathe
Jun 06, 2021Copper Contributor
why are you trying to push Edge to become "like" Chrome? If you want it to behave like Chrome just go ahead and use Chrome - can;t you? Why are you pushing the ruin the Edge user interface now that Chrome has ruined its interface? Give everyone a break and use Chrome. Leave Edge alone
- ilikeredJun 06, 2021Copper ContributorI'm not pushing for anything like that. I'm just asking for an option for the non touch user who has a lot of bookmarks organized in multiple folders on the bookmark bar and use 14-15 inch screens. The current interface is best suited for Touch Screens as well as bigger sized displays. It's probably Ok if you don't work much with bookmarks inside folders and don't use the right click context menus much. It's also probably Ok if you fall into the other category that I mentioned above. And also I don't think everyone's needs and opinions should be same. Me and multiple other users who are facing this issue, are only asking for an option and NOT asking for a permanent change to the interface. About using Chrome, yes that's what me and several others have been doing for the past 1.5 years, despite having a better option in Edge. We just couldn't cope up with this UI. And a thread that was several pages long which was discussing this problem, had also been deleted without any reason.
- sdmaratheJun 06, 2021Copper Contributor
I use 15 inch screen and have a ton of bookmarks. I do not find the problem you do. You have to realize if you are young or with good eyesight - it does not matter. For middle aged folks like me without great eyesight, who do not use touch screen but use 15 inch laptop for work or home, this is a nightmare. Also, like I said, Chrome is doing these things to cater to one demographics of users while ignoring the needs of others. The least they should do is give users an option. As far as using Chrome - you at least have that option - I do not. So pardon me if I am not sympathetic to the users that want a Chrome like user interface. They can use Chrome or Opera or whatever the heck other Chromium based browsers. Edge was the only holdout among Chromium browsers that still had needs of many people like me covered and now we are left without a good browser. Firefox seems to have picked up on this "cool" trend as well alas.
- ilikeredJun 07, 2021Copper ContributorI wonder, which change made you left with no option. Because I still see that the spacing and everything is the same on Edge even now, which is very huge. My bookmark folders don't even fit on the bookmark toolbar, I have to click on an arrow on the rightmost to get to some of my bookmark folders. And within a single folder, it takes some amount of scrolling to get to the lower end of the bookmarks. I'm not sure if we are even talking about the same thing here, because that experience is the same, even now.