WebView2 is based on the Microsoft Edge browser. You have the opportunity to extend features from the browser to WebView2-based apps, which is useful. However, since WebView2 isn't limited to browser-like apps, there are some browser features that need to be modified or removed.
This article covers:
The modified browser features and supporting information.
The ability to turn on or off the feature.
Guidance on keyboard shortcuts.
Design guidelines
In the context of WebView2, browser features adhere to the following design guidelines:
Most features work the same in WebView2 and Microsoft Edge. If a feature doesn't make sense in the context of WebView2 or for other reasons, the feature is modified or turned off.
WebView2 features don't include Microsoft Edge branding.
Browser features
The following table displays the WebView2 features that differ from the Microsoft Edge browser:
Default state indicates that the feature is part of the default experience on a new WebView2 instance.
Configurable indicates that you can turn on or off the feature using WebView2 APIs or command-line switches.
Nota
This article doesn't cover modifying features by using command-line switches. For more information about turning on and off features by using command-line switches, see List of Chromium Command Line Switches.
Feature
Default state
Configurable
Details
Autofill for Addresses
On
Yes
This feature is turned on by default. You can turn this feature on or off by using the WebView2 Autofill APIs.
Autofill for Passwords
Off
Yes
This feature is turned off by default. You can turn this feature on or off by using the WebView2 Autofill APIs.
Autofill for Payments
Off
No
This feature is turned off.
Browser Extensions
Off
No
This feature is turned off.
Browser Task Manager
Off
No
This feature is turned off.
Collections
Off
No
This feature is turned off.
Continue-where-I-left-off prompt
Off
No
This feature is turned off.
Downloads
On
Yes
WebView2 provides an API that allows you to customize the download UI to manipulate downloads. For example, you can block, redirect, save, pause, and so on. For more information, see Download API.
Edge Shopping
Off
No
This feature is turned off.
Family Safety
Off
No
This feature is turned off.
Favorites
Off
No
This feature is turned off.
IE Mode
Off
No
This feature is turned off. WebView2 doesn't support IE mode and has differences in behavior compared to IE (such as MHT or BIN support).
Immersive Reader
Off
No
This feature depends on the browser UI for interaction. This feature is turned off.
Intrusive Ads
Off
No
This feature is turned off.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Review Details
Review Details
The keyboard shortcuts that are turned off by default either don't make sense or cause problems in WebView2. You cannot turn these shortcuts off or on. Instead, you can listen for a key combination using the AcceleratorKeyPressed event and create a custom response if needed. For more information, see Additional keyboard shortcuts information.
PDF Annotations
Off
No
This feature is turned off. The PDF viewing feature is enabled, but drawing, inking, and highlighting in a PDF aren't enabled. For more information, see Disabling Feature: PDF Annotations Support.
Mini menu
Off
No
This feature is turned off.
Read Aloud
Off
No
This feature is turned off.
Smart Screen
On*
No
* The UI for this feature has been removed, however the underlying functionality is still available. Additionally, you can turn off Smart Screen by using a command-line switch.
Translate
Off
No
This feature is turned off.
Tracking Prevention
On*
No
* The UI for this feature has been removed, however the underlying functionality is still available. Tracking prevention is always set to balanced.
Visual search on image hover
Off
No
This feature is turned off.
Profile and Identity
Off
No
The feature that syncs your favorites, cookies, and so on, is turned off.
Windows Defender Application Guard
Off
No
This feature is turned off.
edge:// URLs
Review Details
No
Settings for the Microsoft Edge browser are on edge:// URLs. Because most of these webpages have Microsoft Edge branding or don't make sense within the context of WebView2, some of these URLs are turned off. For more information, see Blocked internal URLs.
Web platform features
The following WebView2 platform features are currently unavailable:
Feature
Details
Push Notifications
This feature isn't implemented in WebView2.
Web Payment API
This feature is turned off.
Periodic Background Sync
Periodic Background Sync events will never trigger.
Blocked internal URLs
The following Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome settings webpages aren't available in WebView2:
Keyboard shortcuts or key bindings are supported in Microsoft Edge and WebView2.
Preventing shortcuts from changing during update
When Microsoft Edge is updated, the default key bindings might change. Furthermore, a keyboard shortcut that is turned off by default might instead be turned on, if the feature is now supported in WebView2.
To avoid such changes to your keyboard shortcuts, you can set AreBrowserAcceleratorKeysEnabled to FALSE, which turns off all keys that access browser features, but keeps all basic text-editing and movement shortcuts turned on.
Shortcuts that are turned off
The following shortcuts are always turned off in WebView2, or are effectively turned off. An asterisk (*) indicates that the shortcut isn't turned off, but the feature that it accesses is turned off, or the feature doesn't apply to WebView2.
Learn how to develop keyboard-accessible products with our comprehensive module. This course covers essential guidelines, design considerations, implementation strategies, and testing methods to ensure your products are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.