DuckDuckGo releases Windows version of its own browser in beta

Search engine company DuckDuckGo has released a Windows version of its own browser in beta. The first version already has several features of its own, but support for extensions will only come later in the software.

The Windows version should eventually offer the same functions as the versions for macOS, iOS and Android, the company reports. In addition to extensions, these include faster launches, HTML import of favorites, and more options for the Fire button, the browser button that allows users to quickly clear history.

DuckDuckGo focuses its browser on privacy and protection against tracking. For example, it has built-in ad blocking and Duck Player, a stripped-down version of YouTube without tracking and algorithmic recommendations. After installation, DuckDuckGo is the default search engine, but that can be changed.

The DuckDuckGo browser is a Chrome variant with the Blink rendering engine. The beta is intended to collect feedback and check whether the browser works properly on all configurations of Windows machines. The beta can be installed by all users without any account or waiting list requirements.