Microsoft Edge following Chrome's lead, might let you exit full screen view with the Esc button soon

Microsoft Edge users may soon have a new, intuitive way to exit full screen mode, mirroring a feature recently introduced in Google Chrome. The company is currently testing a feature in Edge Canary that allows users to exit full screen view by pressing and holding the Esc key.

Full screen mode, a popular feature in most browsers, maximizes screen real estate by hiding the browser’s interface elements such as toolbars, menus, and bookmarks. This creates an immersive experience ideal for watching videos, playing games, or focusing on content without distractions.

Currently, Edge users can exit full screen mode either by pressing the F11 key or by moving their cursor to the top of the screen to reveal the hidden interface and clicking an “Exit Fullscreen” button. The addition of the Esc key method would provide a third option, potentially streamlining the user experience for those who prefer keyboard shortcuts. This potentially upcoming MS Edge feature was spotted by tipster @Leopeva64 who shared screenshots of the flag and UI elements on 𝕏.

This move appears to be in direct response to Google Chrome’s recent implementation of a similar feature. Chrome has been testing the ability to exit full screen mode with the Esc key, although it still currently requires users to enable a specific flag to access the functionality.

Microsoft’s decision to follow suit highlights the ongoing competition and feature parity efforts between major web browsers. By adopting popular features from rivals, Edge aims to maintain its appeal to users who might otherwise be tempted to switch to Chrome or other alternatives.

The new Esc key functionality is expected to work across Windows, Mac, and Linux versions of Microsoft Edge, providing a consistent experience for users regardless of their operating system. For keyboard-centric users, the addition of the Esc key exit method could prove to be a welcome time-saver. It also brings Edge more in line with other applications that use the Esc key to exit full screen modes, potentially creating a more intuitive overall computing experience.

As with many experimental features, there’s no guarantee that this functionality will make it to the stable release of Microsoft Edge. However, its presence in the Canary build suggests that Microsoft is seriously considering its implementation.