How to Utilize Microsoft Edge Within Games on Windows 11
If you host your game library on Steam on your PC, you probably know that you can call up an in-game web browser by pressing Shift + Tab. Several tools will appear, including the Browser, which appears in a pop-up window while playing video games, so that you can search the Internet for information about the game without having to exit the game to open the browser and then return to it again, and so on.
This is very useful, especially in games that require a guide that you must follow to complete some tasks. Fortunately, this ability is no longer limited to Steam but is part of the Windows 11 system through a new feature called "Game Assist." Which allows you to access a mini version of Microsoft Edge while playing games, so let's review how to use it.
According to Microsoft, it is a version of the Microsoft Edge browser designed specifically for gamers that is integrated into the Windows 11 Game Bar, making it easier for gamers who need to search for information while playing to access a web browser without having to switch between the game and the regular browser, which can sometimes lead to game crashes or technical problems. The browser can be called up through this "Game Bar" and will appear as a widget in a miniature window in the game, allowing gamers to browse the internet without interrupting the game. It can be used to play music, chat, or watch videos while continuing to play.
The great thing about this feature is that it syncs seamlessly with the regular Edge browser, so all your personal data from Microsoft Edge, including bookmarks, browsing history, login information, etc., is synced so you can continue using services like Discord or Twitch via the Game Assist window in games with ease.
Perhaps the most notable feature here is Game-Aware, meaning that Game-Aware can detect the games you are currently playing and suggest relevant content to you, such as a guide to passing difficult tasks or articles reviewing tips and tricks about the game, etc. This feature currently supports some popular games such as Fortnite, League of Legends, Minecraft, and Roblox, but Microsoft promises to expand support and add more games in the future. But even if your favorite game is not supported, you can still use Game Assist as a guide.
As of this writing, Game Assist is available in beta, with Microsoft testing its performance in games and working to fix some issues that players may encounter. However, you can try it out now if you want by installing the beta version 132 of the Edge browser on your Windows 11 device. Then launch this version and press the menu button ( ⋯ ) on the far left of the toolbar, then choose “Settings.” On the next page, go to the “Appearance” section and scroll down to the “Game Assist (Preview)” section, where you click “Install widget” to activate the feature.
Next, you need to set this beta—Edge Beta—as your default browser, or you’ll get the “Something went wrong” error message when you turn on the feature later. So open the Settings app in Windows (by pressing Win + I keys together), then go to the “Apps” section, click on “Default apps,” and search for “Microsoft Edge Beta” and click on it. On the next page, you can click on “Set Default,” but you don’t have to make the browser your default browser; just make it the default for HTTPS and HTTP, so scroll down until you find them and choose Microsoft Edge Beta as the default for them. After completing this step, you can say that the Game Assist feature is ready to use.
As we mentioned, the feature can be accessed through the Game Bar, which appears after pressing the Win + G keys together. Then, click the “Widgets” button to display the tools menu, where you will find the (Game Assist (Preview)) tool. Click on it to display the mini window of the Microsoft Edge browser within the Game Bar tools. For easier access, you can click on the star icon to install Game Assist as a permanent tool in the Game Bar.
Game Assist works with any game as soon as you launch it from the Game Bar, where the mini version of Microsoft Edge designed for games appears. You will find a bar on the right side with shortcuts to services that gamers usually visit, in addition to the home page that provides quick access to sites dedicated to covering everything related to games.
If you are playing a game that supports the Game-Aware feature that we mentioned, you will find that Game Assist suggests useful pages and instructions related to the game. In any case, the browser window takes up a small space in the game window, but you can resize the window to suit your requirements. Of course, control here is via the keyboard and mouse only, but Microsoft promises to provide support for controllers in future updates.
Game Assist provides players with two main ways to get support when they encounter difficulties in gameplay: either providing text guidance for specific levels or tasks—if Game-Aware is supported—and the ability to open YouTube gameplay videos directly within the browser. You can pin the Game Assist window by clicking the “pin” icon at the top, and the video will appear pinned within the game so that it can be viewed and interacted with at the same time. So it’s a useful addition for some gamers.