A better way to browse the web

And how to spot those battery-draining apps  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [Windows Intelligence](#) [Windows Intelligence](#) Brought to you by: [Morning brew logo](=)​ We have a lot of choice in web browsers these days — but is that choice meaningful? Sure, you can choose between Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, or so many other browsers. But is there a big difference? You're getting nearly the same interface wherever you go. Is all the innovation over? Are web browsers just done? I hope not! That's why I've spent the last week rewiring my brain to understand how the Arc browser can transform the browsing experience. This application might just transform the way you browse the web on your PC today — check out my deep dive in this week's Things to Try section to discover whether this trendy new browser is right for you. 🗳️ But first, a poll: [Which office suite do you prefer? Let me know!](=)​ [Chris Hoffman, AUthor] Chris Today's read: ⌚ 3 Things to Know: 1 minute 30 seconds ⌚ 3 Things to Try: 1 minute 30 seconds ⌚ Top Thurrott Thoughts: 30 seconds ⌚ Just for Fun: 20 seconds ​ [] [3 Things to Know This Week] ​ 1. Microsoft says security trumps backward compatibility ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: Microsoft has been taking heat for security failures over the past few years. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recently sent out a memo telling employees to prioritize security over everything else, including new features and backwards compatibility. 🔎 KNOW MORE: Windows and other Microsoft products may have a bit less of a focus on backwards compatibility soon — and more of a focus on security. It's an understandable choice. - Microsoft has fallen prey to sophisticated attacks, including one that accessed US government emails last year. A US government agency recently released a report saying "Microsoft’s security culture was inadequate." - The new memo tells employees: "Do security. In some cases, this will mean prioritizing security above other things we do, such as releasing new features or providing ongoing support for legacy systems." - This harkens back to Microsoft's Trustworthy Computing initiative, launched in 2002, which Microsoft recently celebrated 20 years of. That initiative was also about prioritizing security. 📌 READ MORE: Read [the memo send to Microsoft employees](), --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Windows is getting a built-in Adobe PDF reader soon ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: Microsoft Edge's built-in PDF reader will soon be powered by Adobe's PDF engine, complete with promotions for Adobe Acrobat and an "Adobe" mark at the bottom-right corner of a document whenever you view a PDF. 🔎 KNOW MORE: Windows won't be including Adobe's PDF reader, but Microsoft will be replacing Edge's current PDF reader with one that's powered by Adobe technologies under the hood. - This change was originally scheduled for the end of March, but Microsoft quietly postponed it to July. - Microsoft promises the new Adobe-powered PDF reader will be an all-around upgrade, with more accurate PDF rendering and other improvements. It'll also offer extra features if you pay for an Adobe Acrobat subscription. - This won't change anything for you if you use another PDF reader, like the PDF reader built into Chrome or Firefox. 📌 READ MORE: Check out [Microsoft's FAQ about the PDF viewer changes](). --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Microsoft has run out of patience for Xbox ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: After spending many billions of dollars buying up game studios for its Xbox business, Microsoft is now making huge cuts to that division. It's a shift that suggests Microsoft may change how it approaches other consumer businesses, too, like Windows. 🔎 KNOW MORE: Microsoft's Xbox division has been on an acquisition spree, acquiring studio after studio. After other recent layoffs, Microsoft just closed four of those studios — and rumor is more layoffs and an Xbox Game Pass subscription price increase are being discussed. - It seems like Microsoft is turning to cost-cutting mode and expecting more profitability from its Xbox division. - Windows feels like it's seeing a similar focus on profitability, with advertisements and links to Microsoft's online services popping up in new places. - It's unclear what this may mean for Windows, but this is a clear corporate shift for how Microsoft approaches another consumer business. It's something to keep an eye on — and the biggest Microsoft story this week. 📌 READ MORE: Learn more about [the turmoil in Microsoft's Xbox division](). SPONSORED MESSAGE Your inbox just got a major ~glow up~ [Lego figure going from caveman to man in a suit](=)​ Like that kid from high school who grew a foot and got his braces off post-graduation, your inbox is looking mighty fine these days. The reason for this sudden face-lift? You subscribed to Morning Brew! Remember: Your inbox used to be full of boring, dusty ol' business news. But [Morning Brew](=) is a free daily email that whips up the latest info on all sorts of need-to-know stuff in an informative, witty way. TL;DR: Morning Brew is actually interesting to read. So congrats, you intellect. You joined 4 million others who go beyond clickbait for actual news on Silicon Valley, Wall Street, and everything in between. …wait, you haven’t subscribed yet? ➜ [Upgrade your daily news slate and stay informed in just 5 minutes a day with Morning Brew](=). [​​​BOOST YOUR INBOX WITH THE BREW​​​​ ➜](=) ​ [] [3 Things to Try This Week] 1. Discover an entirely new way to browse the web Web browsers haven't changed much in the last decade. Now, there's finally a new web browser with a totally different way of doing things — one that might just transform your web browsing experience forever. ➜ I've spent the last week using Arc as my main web browser, and it could be a huge productivity upgrade — if you're willing to rethink how you use browser tabs. ⌚ It will just take you 20 seconds to install Arc, but you'll have to spend some time discovering its features. 💻 Arc is only on Windows 11 — but Windows 10 support is coming soon. 📌 Check out [my review of the Arc web browser]( to see why this browser is so interesting — and why you should try it out. --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Access system tray icons with a keyboard shortcut The keyboard is a great way to navigate the taskbar: You can press the Windows key to open the Start menu, of course, but you can also press Windows+1, Windows+2, and so on to activate taskbar icons. ➜ You can also access the system tray icons at the bottom-right corner of your taskbar with a keyboard shortcut, letting you access everything without touching your mouse. ⌚ You can try this shortcut in 3 seconds. 💻 This works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. To access the system tray with your keyboard, just press Windows+B. You'll see an black box appear down in your system tray area. You can then use the arrow keys and the Enter key to select icons and buttons with your keyboard. When you're done, just press the Esc key. [A system tray icon selected with the Windows+B keyboard shortcut on Windows 11.] --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. See which apps are draining your laptop battery We always want more laptop battery life — I know I do. One of the best ways to extend your laptop's battery life is by lowering your display brightness. But there's more you can do. ➜ Windows has a built-in way to see which applications have been draining the most battery power on your PC, just like on a modern phone. ⌚ You can find these statistics in just 8 seconds. 💻 This works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. To find this information, open the Settings app from your Start menu (or by pressing Windows+i). Then: On Windows 11, head to System > Power & battery > Battery usage. Look under "Battery usage per app." Click a time period in the chart to select it. [The System > Power & battery screen on Windows 11.] ​ On Windows 10, head to System > Battery and look under "Battery usage per app." Select a time period with the dropdown box. [Battery usage per app on Windows 10.] The apps you use the most will no doubt consume a lot of battery power. But, with this information, you can make informed decisions. Perhaps an app is running in the background and wasting resources even though you don't use it much, for example. It might be time to uninstall it if you don't use it much. ​ [] [Top Thurrott Thoughts] Some standout links and expert analysis from our friends at Thurrott, who have been covering Windows since 1994: - ​[ChromeOS: Android, Linux, and Web Apps, Just Not in That Order]()​ - Diving into the app situation on Chromebooks. - ​[Amazon Prime Video Will Soon Show Ads When Users Hit Pause](=) - Yikes. - ​[Apple Announces M4 iPad Pros, M2 iPad Airs, and Apple Pencil Pro]() - New iPads this week. - ​[Thinking About iPad (Premium)]( - What's the point of the iPad today? - ​[Sony Backtracks on PlayStation Account Requirement for Helldivers 2 on PC](=)​ - This was probably the biggest PC news of the week. ​ SPONSORED MESSAGE [Cartoon of man on a video call](=) Stuck in a rut? Invest in you with [BetterHelp](=), which makes therapy affordable and accessible — talk anywhere, anytime, via phone, video, or text! It's therapy on your terms. [GET 25% OFF](=) [And Just for Funsies...] Do you have a lot of browser tabs open? Sometimes I think I do. But I've never had thousands of browser tabs open for years on end. That's why I was startled by [this story about a Firefox user named Hazel](=) who has 7470 tabs open. She says opening her browser takes no more than a minute. "I like to scroll back and see clusters of tabs from months ago—it's like a trip down memory lane on whatever I was doing/learning about/thinking about," she told PCMag. [Firefox asking to close over 7000 browser tabs.] How can this be? Well, Firefox is actually pretty efficient about dealing with tabs. If you choose to have Firefox remember your browsing session and always open with your previous tabs, Firefox won't actually load those tabs until you click them. Still, while this apparently works fine for her, I don't think I'm going to keep thousands of tabs open at once any time soon. But, the next time I find myself buried under a hundred browser tabs, I'll remember I don't have many tabs open at all — not compared to some people. Until next week... Take care! Have a great Mother's Day weekend. --------------------------------------------------------------- 📊 Last week’s poll results: Chrome was the top browser pick, with Firefox coming up second and Edge and Brave in a near-tie for third place. [Browser usage pie chart] 🗳️ If you haven’t already, be sure to [​vote in this week’s poll](=)​! 🤚 Wait! Before you go: What'd you think of this issue? [Thumbs Up]( [Thumbs Down]() Hit the thumbs-up or thumbs-down to cast your vote and let me know. Want less email? [Update your reading preferences](=) to opt out of any individual publications or unsubscribe entirely. New here and not yet subscribed? Take two seconds to [sign up for our newsletters](): Windows Intelligence, Android Intelligence, or Cool Tools (or all three!). Hungry for even more? 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