A Lesson in UI (and IT Leadership)

Over the course of my career — and especially in the years since — I’ve been reminded that technology succeeds or fails not because of features, but because of how well it supports the way people actually work. Tools should reduce friction, not introduce it.

This week I ran into an example worth sharing.

Microsoft recently rolled out a new UI for the Edge browser. On the surface, it’s a cosmetic refresh. But for those of us who move between browsers as part of our daily workflow, the impact is more than visual. UI consistency isn’t about preference; it’s about productivity. When the layout shifts, when familiar controls move, when customization options disappear, the cost shows up in small but persistent interruptions to users’ workflow.

The previous Edge UI aligned well alongside Chrome, making it easy to switch between the two. The new design breaks that continuity. More concerning is the removal of options to tailor the interface, something power users have relied on for years. And the new menu structure feels deeper and less intuitive, making simple tasks harder to find.

These may seem like small changes, but they add up. Edge had been evolving into a strong, productivity-focused browser. This latest shift feels like a step away from that trajectory.

My hope is that Microsoft will revisit these decisions and re-engage with the needs of the people who depend on these tools every day. Flexibility, clarity, and respect for established workflows matter, especially for those of us who have spent decades building and supporting systems where usability is not an afterthought.

If you’ve noticed similar changes in the tools you rely on, I’d be interested in hearing about your experience and perspective.

This article was also posted on LinkedIn, here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/edward-g-happ_microsoftedge-userexperience-productivity-activity-7451296572933378048-b6h9 

Full disclosure: I used Copilot to help draft this post, drawing from an interactive session we had about trying to restore my original Edge settings. I edited the final copy you are reading. Another collaborative use of AI.

The postings on this site are my own and don't necessarily represent positions, strategies or opinions of any of the organizations with which I am associated.