Arc Browser Now Available for Windows 11 Users

As of April 30, the Arc browser has been made available for Windows 11, expanding its accessibility beyond the previously available macOS and iOS versions. Those interested in the Windows variant had to previously sign up for a closed beta, facing wait times that, for some, stretched up to three months. Only recently, the beta has opened up to include more users. Support for Windows 10 is planned for a later date.

More Than Just a Browser?

In recent months, Arc has generated significant buzz. Developed by the startup The Browser Company, it is touted as an “operating system for the internet.” The browser is built on Chromium and Apple’s Swift programming language, which contributed to delays in adapting it for Windows.

Arc comes with features like pre-installed uBlock Origin and supports other Chrome extensions. Its default search engine is Google, although users can switch to alternatives like Duckduckgo via the browser settings.

Unique Features Set Arc Apart

What sets Arc apart from traditional browsers is its use of “Spaces.” Users can create multiple Spaces for different purposes like work, specific projects, or leisure, each customizable with unique colors for easy identification. The main organizational tools are found in a collapsible vertical bar, which displays tabs that can be assigned to different Spaces, enhancing usability and organization. Important tabs can be pinned to remain at the top of this sidebar, with default pins already set for Gmail and Google Calendar.

Additionally, Arc can display multiple tabs side-by-side in a Split View, supports both light and dark modes, and offers various keyboard shortcuts for efficiency. Tabs that remain open for 12 hours are automatically moved to an archive, where they can be accessed later, for up to 30 days.

Lagging Behind macOS

Despite its innovations, the Windows version of Arc still trails behind its macOS counterpart. Features promised like “Easels,” where users can freely place images, notes, and reminders, are absent. The “Little Arc” feature, allowing quick access to links in a pop-up window instead of a new tab, is also missing. However, the developers have retained one feature from the closed beta: Arc requires account registration to use, though it remains free of charge.

The current build number for the Windows version is 1.0.1.24682. With this release, the developers might be promising more than they can deliver, as some features are still missing. Users on the Arc subreddit have also reported various bugs and crashes, indicating that there may be some stability issues with this new release.