Orbit 1.1.0

Download Orbit-win-x64.zip, unzip anywhere and run Orbit.exe. Windows 10/11, 64-bit; no installer or .NET install needed. About 72 MB, down from 254 MB.

What's new

• New engine: Microsoft Edge WebView2. Pages are drawn by the Chromium-based engine that Windows already includes and keeps up to date. That is why the download is so much smaller, and H.264 and AAC video now play.
• Chrome extensions. Open an extension on the Chrome Web Store and choose Add to Orbit, or install uBlock Origin in one click from Settings → Extensions. Extensions show as icons next to the address bar and their pop-ups open as in Chrome. The Web Store ones and uBlock Origin update themselves.
• The built-in ad blocker is gone. Install uBlock Origin (or any other blocker) as an extension instead.
• Orbit tidies up the old Chromium files when it updates from 1.0.x.

Upgrading

Orbit 1.0.1 can update itself to this version. Your bookmarks, history and settings are kept.

Known limitations

• Extensions don't work in private windows, and an extension that relies on the activeTab permission may not be able to act when you click its button.
• Orbit needs the Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime (already part of Windows 11 and current Windows 10). If it's missing, Orbit offers to open the download page.

See the wiki.

Orbit 1.0.1

Download Orbit-win-x64.zip, unzip anywhere and run Orbit.exe. Windows 10/11, 64-bit; no installer or .NET install needed.

What's new

• Automatic updates: Orbit can check GitHub when it starts, download and verify new versions (SHA-256), and install them the next time you open it. Turn it off in Settings → Updates.
• Redesigned windows: settings (with side navigation), history (grouped by day), downloads, bookmarks and all dialogs now share one dark design.
• Split view: show two tabs side by side.
• Drag a tab out to open it in its own window, with a live preview of where it will land.
• Bookmark folders, bookmark site icons and a bookmark manager with drag and drop.
• Tabs are tinted with the colour of their site icon.
• Custom title bar that gives pages more room; the maximised window controls are now correctly placed.
• Bookmarks bar items are spaced apart; assorted fixes.

Upgrading

Version 1.0.0 can't update itself, so download this one manually. From now on Orbit can do it for you. Your bookmarks, history and settings are kept.

Known limitations

No browser extensions, and no H.264/AAC video (sites that also offer VP9, such as YouTube, work). See the wiki.

Orbit 1.0.0

First public release.

Download Orbit-win-x64.zip, unzip anywhere and run Orbit.exe. Windows 10/11 64-bit. No installer and no separate .NET install needed.

Highlights: Chromium engine, custom title bar, tab tear-off, split view, bookmark folders with site icons, downloads manager, private windows, ad and tracker blocking.

Known limitations: no browser extensions; no H.264/AAC video. See the wiki.