Microsoft Edge gets Actions; You can Type commands from Address bar

Remember Chrome Actions? The feature that lets you type commands and run actions directly from Omnibox without needing to visit browser settings and menus buried deep in? You can call that ‘Edge Actions’ in the Microsoft Edge browser. It can now be enabled and use in the Canary version, here is how.

What you need to know:

  • Google has added Actions to Chrome with version 87.
  • This turns Omnibox into a command prompt
  • The feature makes the address bar more useful
  • Type a phrase in the Omnibox, the browser shows relevant actions underneath.
  • The actions now work in the Microsoft Edge browser also

For instance, type  “edit password” or “delete history” in the Edge Address bar to notice Manage passwords and Clear browsing history actions shown inline.

type commands in Edge address bar aka Edge Actions

How to Enable and use Actions in Microsoft Edge browser

  1. Launch Edge browser
  2. Visit edge://flags page
  3. Search for Pedal and enable the following highlighted flags and restart the browser
    Omnibox Suggestion button row
    Omnibox Pedal Suggestions
    Omnibox suggestion button row and Omnibox Pedal suggestions Edge Flags

Now similar to Chrome Actions, here are some of the commands you can type in the Edge Address bar to run the following actions

  • Clear browsing history – type “wipe cookies” or “delete history” or “clear cache”
  • Open InPrivate window – type “InPrivate” or “launch edge inprivate” or “incognito” or “launch incognito mode”
  • Update Edge- Type “update browser” or “update edge”
  • Manage Passwords – Type “edit password” or “update credentials” or “manage passwords”
  • Manage Payment methods -Type  “update credit card” or “update card info” or “edit credit card”

Google is working on Commander in Chrome that lets you run commands in the search interface. you can invoke it with the shortcut Ctrl+Space.

Tab Search, Chrome  Actions, and Chrome Commander all are similar features and you shouldn’t be confused.

Since Edge now got Actions, don’t be surprised if it gets commander feature as well in near feature since it is Chromium-based.

What’s your take on typing commands from the Edge address bar? Have you found this feature useful?

Let us know in the comments below.

Venkat Eswarlu

Venkat is an independent technology journalist and the founder of Techdows. He has been covering web browsers, Windows, and software news since 2009. His exclusive scoops on Chrome, Firefox, and Edge features have been cited by Forbes, TechCrunch, Wired, CNET, and other major publications.

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