How to use Collections feature in Microsoft Edge

The Collections feature in the new Microsoft Edge browser can be viewed as a repository where you can store and manage content that interests you. Although it is an early version, it previews the final changes likely to be introduced later. The earlier version used an experimental flag that was turned off by default. The current version, on the other hand, is enabled by default for all Microsoft Edge channels.

Store web content using Microsoft Edge Collections

The general-purpose tool can adapt to many roles. For example, if you’re a shopper, it will help you collect and compare items. If you’re an event organizer, it will help pull together all your event information. Or, if you’re a teacher or a student, Collections will help you organize your web research and create your lesson plans or reports.

After reviewing the brief history of this feature, let’s see what new improvements the revamped version of Microsoft Edge Collections includes.

1. Capability to access collections across different devices
2. Ability to edit card titles
3. Option to open all links in a collection into a new window
4. Quieter Collections flyout
5. Dark theme in Collections
6. Sharing via Collections.

How to use Collections feature in Microsoft Edge

You can get started by opening the Collections pane from the button found adjacent to the address bar. It is visible as double square icon.

When opened, select ‘Start new collection’ and assign it a suitable name.

Once you are familiar with it, you can start adding more related content to your Collections.

Features of Collections feature in Microsoft Edge

1] Capability to access collections across different devices

Microsoft has added sync to Collections. So, when an Insider signs into Microsoft Edge preview builds with the same profile that he uses on different computers, Collections will automatically sync between them. This enables Insiders to easily and securely access files anytime—even when they are offline. Moreover, they get the latest version of the file at hand.

Microsoft humbly acknowledges that there have been issues around sync but feedback from users has helped it improve and refine the experience.

2] Edit card titles

One of the most requested and anticipated features in the Edge browser has been the ability to rename the titles of items in Collections. Luckily, the demand has received a positive response via  a dedicated dialog box. You can now edit a title by right-clicking and choosing ‘Edit’ option from the context menu. When the dialog appears, find the option to rename the title.

3] Option to open all links in a collection into a new window

Similarly, other feedback from a lot of users regarding an easy way to open all sites saved in a collection has urged developers to come up with a new ‘Open all’ option. Beginning now, you can open all links by,

• Accessing ‘Sharing and more’ menu to open tabs in a new window.
• Via the context menu on a collection to open them as tabs in the current window.

This way, you can ensure that you pick up right from where you left off last. Another demand from users regarding an option to save a group of tabs to a collection has not materialized yet. However, Microsoft assures that its team of developers is actively working on it. It may soon share the news when it is ready.

4] Quieter Collections flyout

Annoying Popups and pestering flyouts can distract you. So, to restore the peace and tranquility, Microsoft has made ‘Try Collections’ flyout to be quieter and less annoying.

5] Dark theme in Collections

The benefits of dark themes are many and easy to understand— you don’t have to put too much strain on your eyes, it has easier-to-read text, and besides all, they just look cool, don’t they? Edge developers have made sure to provide the same experience in Collections. So, try out Dark theme in Collections and let us know what you think.

6] Sharing via Collections

Sharing is an essential and universal etiquette in the digital world. As such, the ability to share content with others has become a new tradition. Adhering to this practice, Collections in Edge browser will allow sharing via 2 ways,

• Through the ‘Copy all’ option added to the ‘Sharing and more’ menu
• By selecting individual items and copying them via the ‘Copy’ button in the toolbar.

Once you’ve copied items from your Collection, you can then paste them into your favorite apps, like OneNote or Email. If you are pasting into an app that supports HTML you will get a rich copy of the content.

Microsoft Edge Collections now also let you follow online content creators.

Let us know if you find this feature useful to store web content.

Read: How to show or hide Collections button in Microsoft Edge browser.

Using a Parameter to display Collections feature in Edge

1] Download the latest version of the new Edge browser from the official website. The trick works with the stable version of the new Edge browser only.

2] Create a desktop shortcut for the new Edge browser.

3] Right-click on the desktop shortcut of the new Edge browser and select Properties.

4] In the Shortcut tab (which would be open by default), add the following suffix to the Target field while keeping a space between the last letter and the suffix:

--enable-features=msEdgeCollections

5] The final path should look something like this:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\msedge.exe" --enable-features=msEdgeCollections

Where C: drive is the system drive.

6] Click on Apply and then on OK to save the settings.

I hope this helps.