Microsoft is to abandon its existing Edge web browser and develop a new version based on the same underlying technology as Google's Chrome.

The Edge browser, which was supposed to replace Internet Explorer and was hailed as being far faster, has struggled to attract users - despite being free in every copy of Windows 10.

Now, it is being killed off in favour of a new browser that uses the same open source 'Chromium' code as Google's Chrome browser and its ChromeOS software for netbooks.

The new app, which will also be called Edge, will also allow Microsoft to make a browser for Apple's MacOS.

Scroll down for video

Microsoft is set to abandon its Edge web browser and develop a new 'Anaheim' browser based on the same underlying technology as Google's Chrome, it has been claimed.

WHO IS WINNING THE BROWSER WAR? According to the latest figures, currently just 4% of users run Edge, while Google's Chrome is the runaway leader with over 72% of the market Chrome - 72.38% Firefox - 9.1% IE - 5.38% Safari - 5.06% Edge - 4% Opera -2.18% source: StatCounter Advertisement

'Today we're announcing that we intend to adopt the Chromium open source project in the development of Microsoft Edge on the desktop to create better web compatibility for our customers and less fragmentation of the web for all web developers,' Microsoft said.

Codenamed 'Anaheim,' this new browser for Windows 10 will replace Edge as the default browser on the platform.

A preview version will be available early next year, Microsoft said.

'Over the next year or so, we'll be making a technology change that happens 'under the hood' for Microsoft Edge, gradually over time, and developed in the open so those of you who are interested can follow along.'

Google said it welcomed the move.

'Chrome has been a champion of the open web since inception and we welcome Microsoft to the community of Chromium contributors,' it said.

'We look forward to working with Microsoft and the web standards community to advance the open web, support user choice and deliver great browsing experiences.'

Windows Central's Zac Taylor says the move is a 'big deal for Windows.

'Microsoft's web browser should finally be able to compete alongside Chrome, Opera and Firefox, and those who are all-in with the Microsoft ecosystem will finally be getting a browser from Microsoft that works well when browsing the web.'

The browser change is the latest attempt by Microsoft to compete in the browser world.

Internet Explorer, which was first called Windows Internet Explorer, was first released as part of the add-on package Plus! for Windows 95 in 1995.

Internet Explorer was one of the most widely used web browsers, attaining a peak of about 95 per cent during 2002 and 2003.

However, it struggled in the face of competition, and in May 2012 it was announced that Google's Chrome overtook Internet Explorer as the most used browser worldwide.

Microsoft later confirmed that it is dropping the Internet Explorer brand for Edge when it launched Windows 10.