Microsoft Edge, like many modern browsers, supports the use of command-line flags to modify its behavior and enable specific features. This article provides a detailed guide on how to launch Edge with command-line flags, ensuring these flags are consistently applied, even when opening links from other applications.
Command-line flags are instructions passed to a program when it is launched. They allow users to customize the application's settings and functionality beyond the standard graphical interface. In the context of web browsers, flags can enable experimental features, modify security settings, or control specific aspects of the browser's behavior.
There are several reasons why you might want to use command-line flags with Microsoft Edge:
The most effective method to ensure command-line flags are always applied to Edge, regardless of how it's launched, involves modifying the Windows Registry. Here's how:
Open the Registry Editor: Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
Navigate to the Correct Key: In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path:
Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MSEdgeHTM\shell\open\command
Modify the Default Value:
Locate the Default key in the right pane.
Right-click on Default and select "Modify".
The original value will look similar to this:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\msedge.exe" --single-argument %1
Modify the value by adding your desired command-line flags before the --single-argument %1 parameter. For example, to enable a feature called "Feature1", the modified value would be:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\msedge.exe" --enable-features=Feature1 --single-argument %1
Click "OK" to save the changes.
Important: The --single-argument %1 parameter is crucial. Removing it will cause Edge to open a new tab page when clicking links from other applications instead of navigating to the intended link.
Edge Channel Considerations
If you are using a different channel of Edge (e.g., Dev, Beta, or Canary), ensure the path to the msedge.exe executable is correct in the registry value. For example, for the Dev channel:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge Dev\Application\msedge.exe" --enable-features=Feature1 --single-argument %1
To confirm that your command-line flags are correctly applied, Edge provides a built-in page:
edge://version/ in the address bar.While not as comprehensive as the registry method, you can also add command-line flags to the target path of an Edge shortcut.
Locate the Edge Shortcut: Find the Edge shortcut on your desktop or in the Start Menu.
Open Properties: Right-click the shortcut and select "Properties".
Modify the Target Field: In the "Target" field, add your desired command-line flags after the path to msedge.exe. For example:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\msedge.exe" --enable-features=Feature1
Apply Changes: Click "Apply" and then "OK".
Note: This method only applies flags when launching Edge through the modified shortcut.
Launching Microsoft Edge with command-line flags provides a powerful way to customize the browser and enable advanced features. By modifying the Windows Registry, you can ensure these flags are consistently applied, providing a seamless browsing experience regardless of how Edge is launched. Remember to verify that your flags are active using the edge://version/ page.
