Microsoft Edge is about to feel faster on Windows 11. The Edge team has announced Accelerated App Launch, a Windows 11 feature that makes the browser open up to 33% faster. The catch: it only helps when Edge is already running in the background. Here is how it works, what it cannot do, and what your PC needs to get it.
What Is Accelerated App Launch?
Accelerated App Launch is a new Windows 11 feature announced by the Edge team on 29 October 2026. Microsoft says Edge launches about 15% faster under typical conditions and up to 33% faster during heavy multitasking.
How it works: previously, when Edge was already running and the user opened it again (from the Start menu, taskbar, or a link), Windows first started an extra temporary process that passed the request to the running Edge instance. Now Windows routes the request straight to the running instance, skipping that step.
The Limits: Warm Launches Only
The gain applies only to warm launches, when Edge is already running in the background — for example through the Startup Boost feature that keeps core Edge processes loaded. It does not make the first launch after a shutdown faster.
What Your PC Needs
To get Accelerated App Launch, you need:
- Microsoft Edge version 150 or newer.
- Windows 11 version 25H2, 26H1, or 26H2 with the October 2026 non-security update KB5127936 (an optional preview, released 28 October 2026; it was earlier available in Release Preview builds 26200.9807 and 26300.9807 from 16 October).
PCs still on Windows 11 24H2 are not in Microsoft’s supported list. PCs that skip optional updates should get the change with the 10 November security update.
Edge is the first browser to support it. Microsoft is contributing the relevant changes to Chromium, but the interface is a Limited Access Feature requiring an unlock token, so other apps will not get it immediately.
Also in the Same Update
The same KB5127936 update also brings other changes, such as a customizable File Explorer context menu.
FAQs
How much faster does Edge get?
Microsoft says about 15% faster under typical conditions and up to 33% faster during heavy multitasking.
Does it speed up the first launch after I start my PC?
No. The gain applies only to warm launches, when Edge is already running in the background. It does not make the first launch after a shutdown faster.
What do I need to get it?
Microsoft Edge version 150 or newer, and Windows 11 version 25H2, 26H1, or 26H2 with the October 2026 non-security update KB5127936 (an optional preview released 28 October 2026). PCs on Windows 11 24H2 are not in the supported list.
Will other browsers get this too?
Edge is the first browser to support it. Microsoft is contributing the relevant changes to Chromium, but the interface is a Limited Access Feature requiring an unlock token, so other apps will not get it immediately.
Conclusion
Accelerated App Launch is a smart, small change: by skipping an unnecessary step, Windows 11 can open Edge noticeably faster when it is already running. Just do not expect it to speed up a cold start. If your PC runs a supported Windows 11 version with the October update, the faster launches should arrive on their own — with the 10 November security update at the latest for those who skip optional updates.
