check before: 2025-06-01
Product:
Entra, Microsoft 365 suite, Microsoft Edge, Windows
Platform:
Linux, Mac, Online, Web, World tenant
Status:
Launched
Change type:
Admin impact, New feature, Updated message, User impact
Links:
Details:
Summary:
Microsoft Edge will default to opening external links with the Primary work profile for users signed in with Microsoft Entra ID, starting late August 2025. This change affects Windows, macOS, and Linux users differently and can be managed with the `EdgeOpenExternalLinksWithPrimaryWorkProfileEnabled` policy. No admin action is required before the rollout.
Details:
Updated October 16, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
We're updating how Microsoft Edge handles external links for enterprise users. Before this rollout, Edge opens external links using the last used profile. After this rollout, for users signed in with Microsoft Entra ID, Edge will default to the Primary work profile to open links. The Primary profile is typically the most secure and appropriate profile for work-related content. This change will be on by default.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 494835.
[When this will happen:]
General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out late August 2025 (previously late June) and expect to complete by mid-November 2025 (previously mid-September).
Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability
Created:
2025-06-27
updated:
2025-10-17
Task Type
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Docu to Check
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MS How does it affect me
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MS Preperations
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MS Urgency
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summary for non-techies**
Microsoft Edge will now automatically open external links using the "Primary work profile" for users signed in with a Microsoft Entra ID, with this change rolling out between late August and mid-November 2025, and administrators can manage this behavior through a specific policy setting.
Direct effects for Operations**
Change in Default Profile for External Links
Users will experience a shift in how external links are opened, potentially leading to confusion if they are accustomed to the last used profile. This may disrupt workflows, especially for users who frequently switch between profiles.
- roles: End Users, IT Support
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/deployedge/microsoft-edge-browser-policies/edgeopenexternallinkswithprimaryworkprofileenabled, https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=494835
User Experience Disruption
The automatic switch to the Primary work profile may lead to unexpected behavior for users who have multiple profiles, resulting in potential access issues to personal or non-work-related content.
- roles: End Users, Compliance Officers
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/deployedge/microsoft-edge-browser-policies/edgeopenexternallinkswithprimaryworkprofileenabled, https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=494835
Need for User Training and Documentation Update
Organizations may need to invest time in updating training materials and documentation to inform users about the new default behavior, which could lead to temporary inefficiencies.
- roles: Training Coordinators, IT Administrators
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/deployedge/microsoft-edge-browser-policies/edgeopenexternallinkswithprimaryworkprofileenabled, https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=494835
Configutation Options**
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Opportunities**
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Potentional Risks**
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IT Security**
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explanation for non-techies**
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** AI generated content. This information must be reviewed before use.
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change history
| Date | Property | old | new |
| 2025-10-17 | MC Last Updated | 07/23/2025 20:13:51 | 2025-10-17T03:36:35Z |
| 2025-10-17 | MC Messages | Updated July 23, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
We're updating how Microsoft Edge handles external links for enterprise users. Before this rollout, Edge opens external links using the last used profile. After this rollout, for users signed in with Microsoft Entra ID, Edge will default to the Primary work profile to open links. The Primary profile is typically the most secure and appropriate profile for work-related content. This change will be on by default. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 494835. [When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out late August 2025 (previously late June) and expect to complete by mid-September 2025 (previously mid-July). | Updated October 16, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
We're updating how Microsoft Edge handles external links for enterprise users. Before this rollout, Edge opens external links using the last used profile. After this rollout, for users signed in with Microsoft Entra ID, Edge will default to the Primary work profile to open links. The Primary profile is typically the most secure and appropriate profile for work-related content. This change will be on by default. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 494835. [When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out late August 2025 (previously late June) and expect to complete by mid-November 2025 (previously mid-September). |
| 2025-10-17 | MC End Time | 11/10/2025 08:00:00 | 2026-01-26T08:00:00Z |
| 2025-07-24 | MC MessageTagNames | New feature, User impact, Admin impact | Updated message, New feature, User impact, Admin impact |
| 2025-07-24 | MC Summary | Microsoft Edge will default to opening external links with the Primary work profile for users signed in with Microsoft Entra ID, starting late June 2025. This change affects Windows, macOS, and Linux users differently and can be managed with the `EdgeOpenExternalLinksWithPrimaryWorkProfileEnabled` policy. No admin action is required before the rollout. | Microsoft Edge will default to opening external links with the Primary work profile for users signed in with Microsoft Entra ID, starting late August 2025. This change affects Windows, macOS, and Linux users differently and can be managed with the `EdgeOpenExternalLinksWithPrimaryWorkProfileEnabled` policy. No admin action is required before the rollout. |
| 2025-07-24 | MC Last Updated | 06/27/2025 01:17:48 | 2025-07-23T20:13:51Z |
| 2025-07-24 | MC Messages | We're updating how Microsoft Edge handles external links for enterprise users. Before this rollout, Edge opens external links using the last used profile. After this rollout, for users signed in with Microsoft Entra ID, Edge will default to the Primary work profile to open links. The Primary profile is typically the most secure and appropriate profile for work-related content. This change will be on by default.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 494835. [When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out late June 2025 and expect to complete by mid-July 2025. | Updated July 23, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
We're updating how Microsoft Edge handles external links for enterprise users. Before this rollout, Edge opens external links using the last used profile. After this rollout, for users signed in with Microsoft Entra ID, Edge will default to the Primary work profile to open links. The Primary profile is typically the most secure and appropriate profile for work-related content. This change will be on by default. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 494835. [When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out late August 2025 (previously late June) and expect to complete by mid-September 2025 (previously mid-July). |
| 2025-07-24 | MC Title | Microsoft Edge: Primary work profile will open external links by default | (Updated) Microsoft Edge: Primary work profile will open external links by default |
| 2025-07-24 | MC End Time | 09/01/2025 09:00:00 | 2025-11-10T08:00:00Z |
Last updated 4 weeks ago ago
