Microsoft Edge in SAP Business Client

[sandra_thimme]

The rise of Edge, a sunset for CEF Chromium in new releases

This blog post highlights the end of support for the Chromium browser control option in the next SAP Business Client release and the recommended option and activities for our customers.

What?

With release 7.70, SAP Business Client offers the choice between three browser controls for embedding web-based applications:

• Internet Explorer based on the IE web browser control


• Chromium based on the Chromium Embedded Framework (CEF) which embeds Chromium core as web browser engine


• Edge based on Microsoft's WebView2 control which also embeds Chromium core

Settings - Choose your Primary Browser Control

With the next SAP Business Client release 8.0 planned for Q1/2023, SAP intends to restrict the browser control options to Internet Explorer and Edge*.

The Chromium option based on the Chromium Embedded Framework (CEF) will be supported together with SAP Business Client 7.70 until 02.04.2024.

 

*Even though Microsoft announced the de-support for Internet Explorer, Internet Explorer Control will remain to be supported and working, see note 3090354

Why?

Both controls, Edge and Chromium (CEF) are based on standard Chromium core. However, there are differences how the controls are delivered, installed and patched:

For Chromium, the full browser control is delivered and can be installed with SAP Business Client (installation package Chromium for SAP Business Client 7.70). Security corrections for this browser control are shipped with SAP Business Client patches, so distributing security updates means installing an up-to-date Business Client patch (see SAP Security Note 2622660).

The Edge control depends on the Microsoft WebView2 runtime which is not shipped with the SAP Business Client. Starting with Windows 11, the runtime is already part of the operating system; before, you have to download it from Microsoft and install it separately for the first time. Updates and security corrections for the WebView2 runtime are delivered by Microsoft via Microsoft Update. They are therefore independent of SAP Business Client patches and can be received automatically.

See also SAP Business Client for Desktop Installation – SAP Help Portal for installation specifics.

Using the Microsoft Edge Web View2 control has the following benefits:

• improved security


• easy maintenance


• good quality and performance


• a future-proof solution

On top, you can take advantage of the Dynamic Browser Selection feature to use the Internet Explorer browser control simultaneously for web applications which rely on IE e.g. due to its support of ActiveX content.

See more:

Using SAP Business Client with Dynamic Browser Control Selection – SAP Help Portal

See also:

SAP Business Client 7.70

Recommended Actions

• Switch to the Edge browser control in time. You are able to use it as of SAP Business Client 7.70.


• Test your scenarios and let us know if you encounter a gap or problem so we can address it in a timely manner.

 

Recommended Actions regarding Internet Explorer please have a look at the following blog by Thorsten Dencker

Internet Explorer 11 will no longer be supported by various SAP UI technologies in newer releases