Microsoft Edge will auto pause Flash content after Windows 10 Anniversary Update

Microsoft Edge is following in the footsteps of Chrome by automatically pausing non critical Flash content in web sites. Video or Games are exempted, animations and advertisements will be paused by default unless the user decides to view the content by clicking on it. This classification of content is similar to the approach used by Chrome. The changes are expected to be effective from the Windows 10 Anniversary Update scheduled for a July release. Flash has been the web standard for video and rich interactive content, but HTML5, JS and other technologies offer the same if not better functionality without the drawbacks. Flash has always been a headache in terms of vulnerabilities and potential to be exploited. Microsoft hopes to give it’s users a more secure environment to browse in by slowly phasing out Flash. Another reason to block playing the content by default is that Flash is very resource hungry. Edge has reduced the consumption of Battery with this move, and alternatives to Flash are less demanding when it comes to the CPU and memory. Finally, Microsoft is pushing for adoption of more modern and open web standards, as against an older proprietary format. Microsoft posted a strongly worded explanation for the move in its developer blog : “We are planning for and look forward to a future where Flash is no longer necessary as a default experience in Microsoft Edge.”