There's a new browser launching today, January 15, across various platforms including macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android. It's the new version of Microsoft Edge, the company's first browser that's based on the open-source Chromium project, the technology behind the industry-leading Google Chrome.

1. Openoffice
2. Microsoft Access Alternative For Mac Software

Since last summer, I've been using the Microsoft Edge public beta on my MacBook Pro alongside Apple Safari, my default browser for nearly two decades. For this okay, boomer, even the thought of ditching an Apple product for one made by Microsoft was like considering an invitation to join the dark side. Nonetheless, flirting with Microsoft Edge turned out to be a positive experience.

With the first Chromium-based Microsoft Edge browser now available to the public, I plan on continuing my Microsoft adventure for various reasons. Still, I'm not ready to ditch Apple Safari either for the reasons noted below.

I have purchase Microsoft 360 Home, the $9.99/mo version. When installing Office, the only apps that appear in my applications area (I use a Mac) are PowerPoint, Word, Excel, OneNote and Outlook. I believe I get Microsoft Access with my subscription, so my question is- how do I download and install it without it prompting me to purchase 360 again? Apr 21, 2013 Here, is a list of 5 free Microsoft Access alternatives. Microsoft Access is the most popular database tool used by many business organizations nowadays. And because of the simplicity and ease of use it provides, it’s widely used by individual users to create simple database applications. I purchased the Microsoft bundle for Mac, which states it includes Microsoft Access, I have downloaded everything and am able to locate everything but Access on my computer. Any advice on how to find/download it would be greatly appreciated. The most up-to-date version of Microsoft Access is always available with an Office 365 subscription. Microsoft Access 2019 is the latest version of Access available as a one-time purchase. Previous versions include Access 2016, Access 2013, Access 2010, Access 2007, and Access 2003. Access 2019 is compatible with Windows 10. Microsoft Office Access is not available for Mac but there are plenty of alternatives that runs on macOS with similar functionality. The most popular Mac alternative is LibreOffice - Base, which is both free and Open Source.

Good start

Microsoft Edge

Price: Free download.

Bottom line: Even as an unfinished product, Microsoft Edge is on the right track. Mac users should take it for a test drive and not feel guilty about it.

The Good

• Easy setup and import
• Robust, flexible security tools
• Access to Chromium-based extensions

The Bad

• No Apple Pay integration
• No iCloud password integration
• Syncing isn't a finished product

Packed with features

What is Microsoft Edge?

Originally, I thought the best way to review Microsoft Edge for Mac was to compare it to Apple's Safari. After much thought, I decided against taking this approach, although I do plan on writing a separate article for iMore explaining the key differences between the two browsers. For this review, I'll focus instead on Microsoft Edge's broad features, then unpack its biggest strengths and weaknesses and why you should consider adding it to your Mac.

All about Chromium

Any discussion on Microsoft Edge needs to begin with one about Chromium. This web browser project was originally developed by Google. Like all successful open-source projects, it's been steadily improved by many third-parties, of which Microsoft is only one.

With Chromium, Google has long promised a 'lightweight and fast' internet experience. From there, it has largely been left to others to make browser-specific features worth considering.

Today, Chromium serves as the starting point for many browsers, not just Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome. These include Amazon Silk, Brave, and many others.

A security and privacy win

Microsoft Edge: What I like

The first Chromium-based version of Microsoft Edge is packed with high-profile features. No doubt, those on the surface will get most of the attention. However, I've been most impressed with what's going on behind the scenes.

Hackers will always target web browsers and I don't expect that will ever change. While nothing is 100 percent secure, Microsoft is doing its part to push its Edge browser closer to absolute security through tracking prevention and a so-called SmartScreen tool.

Tracking prevention

In Microsoft Edge, you get to decide how much free rein web trackers have while you're surfing. The trackers, which collect data about how you interact with a site, includes a mix of good and bad actors. Unfortunately, separating the two isn't always easy. At launch, Microsoft Edge offers three levels of tracking prevention, Basic, Balanced, and Strict.

Under Basic, Microsoft blocks trackers it thinks are potentially harmful, while allowing others that are intended to personalize your web content and ads. The Balanced approach, which Microsoft recommends for most users, blocks harmful trackers and those from sites you haven't visited. The trade-off is you receive a less robust and personalized experience compared to the Basic option.

With Strict tracking, Microsoft blocks harmful trackers and the majority of all trackers across most sites. Under this scenario, your surfing experience becomes even less personalized. Depending on the site, the limit could also disable video and login capabilities.

Like Microsoft, I believe the Balanced approach is optimal for most users. Nonetheless, I'm impressed Microsoft has moved past an all or nothing approach when it comes to tracking. Better still, you can switch back and forth between the three levels at will depending on your circumstances or location.

SmartScreen and Application Guard

Meanwhile, with built-in Microsoft Defender SmartScreen technology, Microsoft Edge can protect you from accidentially visiting locations online previously reported as phishing or malware websites. The tool also sends out an alert if you attempt to download potentially malicious files.

For those in a work environment, Microsoft has given IT professionals even more control over SmartScreen. For businesses, there's also the Application Guard, which is designed to help prevent web-based attacks using hardware isolation.

Looking beyond privacy and security, there's no denying Microsoft has spent a great deal of time during the beta process to create a setup process simple enough for anyone to complete. As part of this, it made it easy to import data from other browsers. Current Apple Safari users, for example, can import favorites, bookmarks, and browsing history, while Google Chrome users also have the ability to import payment and password information, addresses, settings, and more.

As part of the Microsoft Edge setup process, you can also create an informative web page that shows up on new tabs. The page offers a Microsoft Bing web search box, quick links to your most visited web sites, and a full Microsoft News page. You can change the tab page to match one of three canned layouts or make it your own by creating a more customized version. The new page is a nice touch and one of the key reasons to consider making a switch.

Lots of extensions

Another benefit of using the Chromium-backed Microsoft Edge browser is compatibility. Not only can you take advantage of Microsoft's new extension store for Edge, but you can also install content from the Chrome Web Store. The compatibility means you now have access to over 190,000 extensions and web apps. At last count, Safari offers less than 100.

Extensions make a web browser even more useful and offers a great way to further customize the experience. Available extensions include web security tools, translators, password generators, and much more.

iCloud averse, lacking features

Microsoft Edge: What I don't like

The Chromium version of Microsoft Edge arrives with two limitations that could make it a tough sell for users, at least in the short-term.

One of Microsoft Edge's most important features is sync, which keeps your browser history, favorites, passwords, and other data the same across all of your devices. Unfortunately, sync isn't fully supported at launch. No doubt, Microsoft will correct this omission soon, but it's a head-scratching omission from such a high-profile launch.

There's no easy fix to the second limitation, which affects only Apple users. Microsoft Edge, unlike Apple Safari, doesn't support iCloud. Because of this, there's no way to bring over your iCloud Keychain username and passwords to the new browser. You also can't use Apple Pay. Because of the former, I have found it nearly impossible to fully embrace the Microsoft Edge browser and choose it over Apple Safari. However, if you use a third-party password manager such as 1Password, this limitation isn't important.

Beyond these pain points, Microsoft Edge is a nearly perfect browser and I can't wait to see where it goes from here. I'm also excited about trying the refreshed iOS version, available on the App Store.

Speedy, but ..

I'm not the type who puts a lot of weight on software benchmarks because those tests are heavily influenced by hardware. Because of this, I'll leave it to others to fully analyze the performance of Microsoft Edge and compare it to other browsers on the market, including Apple Safari.

With that being said, during my limited tests, I didn't see much of a difference between the two browsers. Like other Chromium-based browsers, Microsoft Edge on Mac is quick. However, it didn't seem any faster or slower than Apple Safari. Your situation could differ depending on the age of your computer, which is certainly worth keeping in mind.

A mostly great product

Microsoft Edge

As 2020 begins, a plurality of Mac users now use Google Chrome as their browser of choice, followed by Apple Safari. In total, the two browsers control 93 percent of the market on macOS. That could soon change thanks to the arrival of Chromium-based Microsoft Edge.

If you're a current Chrome browser user ..

The new browser has been designed with privacy and protection in mind. At the same time, it firmly embraces the third-party integration and speed that has made Chrome the most popular browser on desktops overall.

If you're a current Apple Safari user ..

Thanks to limitations from Apple, Microsoft Edge can't import all content from Safari, such as passwords. However, if you're willing to look past this and want to jump head first into open-source Chromium web browsing, you should give Microsoft Edge a try. Offering perhaps a fresher experience than Safari with more privacy features, the newest browser for Mac is beautifully designed, fun to use, and customizable to match your unique tastes.

Download it

Microsoft Edge

A worthy alternative.

Microsoft Edge could give Google Chrome and Apple Safari a run for web browser supremacy on a Mac.

Have any questions?

If you have any questions or concerns about the Microsoft Edge web browser, let us know below.

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

The HybridDrive is a USB-C dock with an SSD built in

You need more ports, right? And you probably need more storage, right? What you really need is the HybridDrive.

Software developers, data architects and power users have expressed a need to run Microsoft Access on their Mac without partitioning their hard drives or restarting.

Mar 19, 2020  Can't resize Notes Master or Handout Master pages. We are trying to print notes and the images/text are completely skewed off the page. Running PowerPoint 2016; Multiple users have this issue and it seems to resize arbitrarily to the 2x7.5 dimensions and then we do not know how to resize. You might even get it fixed as we have software. Visual Studio 2019 for Mac version 8.4.6 (8.4.6.36) released February 19, 2020. This service release addresses a number of additional accessibility issues and also fixes the following issues: Can't expand a list item in the Review Solution and Commit page after doing a Update Solution command. Visual Studio 2019 for Mac version 8.4.5 (8.4.5.19). Notes page can't be fixed by mac users site microsoft.com office.

Firstly, if you fall into this category, Parallels Desktop for Mac can assist you with developing application software without reformatting or rebooting your machine. As seen below:

Access 2016 in Win10 in Parallels Desktop

Secondly, users can create tables, queries, forms, and reports that connect their projects together with macros. Even more advanced users utilize Visual Basic for apps to write advanced data manipulation and user control solutions.

Here at Parallels, we’re excited whenever our customers share with us the incredible projects they produce and how Parallels Desktop has helped them get work done faster!

Check out how some of our users are using virtualization for Microsoft Access:

Juan Becker of New York – “I was given a Mac when coming onto the team at a new job and as a life-long Microsoft guy I was missing the most important application for my position: Microsoft Access. I needed it and that was the issue but had no idea how to get it on my Mac or if it would even work.

I found Parallels as a solution for running Microsoft Access through the Parallels forums and saw other users had success. There are specific macros such as ActiveX data objects that work within MS Access that I need for my position and Parallels was and is so easy to use, which makes me a user for life. I additionally ended up buying Parallels Access for remotely connecting to my Mac or Windows through my tablet and phone, which allows me to travel for work without my laptop.

That, along with all of the other options and tools that Parallels offers, was a no-brainer, and like I said before, I was instantly sold and will remain a user for life!”

Jason Cooper of Indiana – “I am running a fairly large Microsoft Access database (roughly 60 MB), and as a longtime Boot Camp user, I quickly found myself needing to avoid restarting my machine every time I wanted to switch operating systems in order to speed up my work productivity.

The reputation of Parallels Desktop is what sold me three years ago. The first time I ran one of my queries through Parallels, it processed very quickly, in around five seconds.

I’m the lead webmaster and director of information security for my company, so finding a solution for Microsoft Access was a necessity. Additionally, I plan to do multi-platform software testing for work and found that Microsoft Access runs through Parallels exactly as if I were running it on a PC.”

Openoffice

Nevertheless, Parallels Desktop is an easy and cost-effective solution to run Microsoft Access on your Mac. It provides our customers and their employees with the right tools, which effectively allows our customers to be more productive in a virtual world. Try running Windows programs on your Mac without restarting for 14 days here FREE: Try Now!

Microsoft Access Alternative For Mac Software

Need Microsoft Windows operating system to get started with Microsoft Access? Buy directly below: