Microsoft Edge is the default web browser in Windows 10. It has been packing new features and improving its performance steadily since its launch together with Windows 10. If you decide to give Microsoft Edge a go, make sure that you use the most convenient way to open the browser. Let's see all the ways and shortcuts that you can use to start Microsoft Edge, from the easiest to the more complex, including the command-line:

NOTE: If you intend to use Microsoft Edge as your primary web browser, you might want to make sure that it is set as the default: 3 Ways to change the default web browser in Windows 10.

1. Open Microsoft Edge from the shortcuts on the desktop, the taskbar or the Start screen

Windows 10 has shortcuts for Microsoft Edge on the desktop, the taskbar and the Start screen by default.

Open Microsoft Edge by double-clicking or double tapping on the desktop shortcut, or click or tap on the shortcuts on the Start screen or the taskbar.

If you don't have them anymore, read methods 5 and 6 on how to reinstate these shortcuts.

2. Open Microsoft Edge by using search

Type "edge" in the search field found on the Windows 10 taskbar, and click or tap Microsoft Edge in the list of results.

An even faster way is to start typing "edge" in the search field and press the ENTER key on your keyboard, as soon as you see the Microsoft Edge search result.

3. Open Microsoft Edge by asking Cortana to do it

If Cortana is enabled in Windows 10, activate it by saying "Hey Cortana" or by clicking or tapping the microphone button. Say "open Microsoft Edge." Cortana confirms your command by writing it and by saying "Sure. Opening Microsoft Edge" while launching the app.

4. Open Microsoft Edge by using its Start Menu shortcut

Microsoft Edge can be opened from the Start Menu in Windows 10. Click or tap the Start button, scroll down to the list of apps that start with the letter M and click or tap on the Microsoft Edge shortcut.

5. Pin Microsoft Edge to your desktop

If you removed the default Microsoft Edge shortcut from the desktop, you could pin it to the desktop again. To do that, first, you need to locate the Microsoft Edge shortcut in the Start Menu. Open the Start Menu in Windows 10 by clicking or tapping the Start button, and find the Microsoft Edge shortcut as shown earlier. Then, drag and drop the Microsoft Edge to the desktop.

If you execute the move correctly, a Link icon and text together with the Microsoft Edge icon and text, accompany your cursor as it moves across the desktop. Release the left-click mouse button (or your finger from the touchscreen) anywhere on the desktop, and Windows 10 creates a new shortcut at that place.

From now on, you can double click or double tap the shortcut to launch Microsoft Edge.

6. Pin Microsoft Edge to the taskbar or the Start screen

By default, Microsoft Edge is pinned to both the Start screen and the taskbar. If you have deleted its tile on the Start screen or unpinned it from the taskbar, you can get those shortcuts back:

Locate the Microsoft Edge shortcut in the Start Menu, as shown earlier in this guide. Right-click or tap and hold on the shortcut until a context menu appears. The first option in the menu is "Pin to Start" which fixes Microsoft Edge to the Start screen. If you choose More, an extension menu opens up where you have the option to "Pin to taskbar."

Choose the option you prefer, and Microsoft Edge is pinned where want.

7. Open Microsoft Edge by using the Run window

Press Win + R on the keyboard to open the Run window. In the Open field type "microsoft-edge:" and press Enter on the keyboard or click or tap OK.

Microsoft Edge is now opened.

8. Open Microsoft Edge by using Command Prompt or PowerShell

You can use Command Prompt or PowerShell too. In any of these apps, type "start microsoft-edge:" in the command line and press Enter.

9. Open Microsoft Edge by using the Task Manager

You can open Microsoft Edge using the Task Manager. Launch Task Manager (a quick way is by pressing CTRL + SHIFT + ESC). If you get the compact view of the Task Manager, press first More details in the bottom-left corner of the window. In the File menu, click or tap "Run new task." In the "Create new task" window that appears, type "microsoft-edge:" in the Open field and press Enter or click or tap OK.

10. Open Microsoft Edge by using File Explorer

File Explorer is a convenient way to start Microsoft Edge. Open File Explorer and type "microsoft-edge:" in the address bar. Then, press Enter on the keyboard.

11. Open Microsoft Edge from Internet Explorer

Since Microsoft is committed to transitioning web browsing from Internet Explorer to Microsoft Edge, it has built a mechanism in Internet Explorer to allow a quick jump to the newer browser. While in Internet Explorer, open the Tools menu by clicking on the gear icon in the top-right corner. In the menu select "Open with Microsoft Edge." Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut also shown in the menu: CTRL + SHIFT + E.

Please note that this opens in Microsoft Edge only the current tab from Internet Explorer. If you want to open the pages from other tabs, you need to select each tab and run the same command from there.

How often do you use Microsoft Edge?

Since you read this tutorial, you are intent on using Microsoft Edge. Microsoft has produced a competitive web browser that keeps up well with the competition and, in some areas, is even better than the other web browsers. Using a web browser is not, however, a necessarily exclusive deal for one computer. Many users opt to install and use multiple web browsers. How often do you use Microsoft Edge? Is it the only web browser you are using? Let us know your preferences in a comment below.