How to launch Microsoft Edge to a specific Workspace?

Question

How can I launch Microsoft Edge directly to a specific shared Edge Workspace, ie what is the command line switch?

Preferably I would like to launch two workspaces at once; more preferably I would like to launch them on to the last desktop region that they were arranged on.

I use "{msedgelocation} --restore-last-session" currently but it does not restore Workspaces.

Thank you.

I had a go with "--window-workspace" (from this list of Edge command line switches) using the name of the Workspace and separately with an ID I found (from the share URL). I also tried launching the Workspace share URL in the normal way using Explorer, but that didn't work it just opens a blank browser.

FYI general information about Edge Workspaces.

Answer 1

I believe you can use: msedge.exe" --launch-workspace=$workspaceID The ID is located in the workspace cache file: $env:LOCALAPPDATA\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\Profile #\Workspaces\WorkspacesCache

Answer 2

Hi @Paul Jefferies ,

Currently, it is not supported to directly launch Edge Workspaces using command line. You need to open a workspace from Edge browser.

This command start msedge --restore-last-session can launch all closed tabs last time.

We recommend that you could submit a feature request to the Dev Team by sending feedback (Press Alt+Shift+I) in Microsoft Edge.

Thanks for your understanding.

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Raina Zhao

Answer 3

I wanted a popup dialog box with a drop down to pick a workspace, so here you guys go!

You will need to create a shortcut to run this, and it's a bit clunky because it has to hide the console/command prompt. I'm sure it can be improved upon. Here's the shortcut target, and make sure you set it to "run minimized" so you don't see the console/cmd popup.

%SystemRoot%\system32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -WindowStyle Hidden -NoProfile -file "c:\location\folder\script.ps1"

# Define the path to the JSON file
$jsonFilePath = "$($env:UserProfile)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\Default\Workspaces\WorkspacesCache"

# Read and parse the JSON file
$jsonContent = Get-Content -Path $jsonFilePath -Raw | ConvertFrom-Json
# Import the assembly for Windows Forms
Add-Type -AssemblyName System.Windows.Forms

# Create a new form
$form = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.Form
$form.Text = 'Select a Workspace'
$form.StartPosition = 'CenterScreen'
$form.AutoSize = $true
$form.FormBorderStyle = 'FixedDialog'
$form.MinimizeBox = $false
$form.MaximizeBox = $false
$form.Height = 120

# Create a ComboBox for workspace selection
$comboBox = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.ComboBox
$comboBox.DropDownStyle = 'DropDownList'
$comboBox.Width = 250
$comboBox.Location = New-Object System.Drawing.Point(10, 10)

# Collate workspace names and IDs into the ComboBox
foreach ($workspace in $jsonContent.workspaces) {
    $comboBox.Items.Add("$($workspace.name) [$($workspace.id)]")
}

# Add the ComboBox to the form
$form.Controls.Add($comboBox)

# Create an OK button
$okButton = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.Button
$okButton.Text = 'Open Workspace'
$okButton.DialogResult = [System.Windows.Forms.DialogResult]::OK
$okButton.Location = New-Object System.Drawing.Point(10, 45)
$okButton.AutoSize = $true

# Add the OK button to the form
$form.Controls.Add($okButton)

# Create a Cancel button
$cancelButton = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.Button
$cancelButton.Text = 'Cancel'
$cancelButton.DialogResult = [System.Windows.Forms.DialogResult]::Cancel
$cancelButton.Location = New-Object System.Drawing.Point(120, 45)
$cancelButton.AutoSize = $true

# Add the Cancel button to the form
$form.Controls.Add($cancelButton)

# Show the form and wait for the user to click OK or Cancel
$result = $form.ShowDialog()

if ($result -eq [System.Windows.Forms.DialogResult]::OK) {
    # Extract the selected workspace name and ID
    $selectedWorkspaceFullText = $comboBox.SelectedItem
    $selectedWorkspaceName = $selectedWorkspaceFullText -replace ' \[\S+\]', ''
    $selectedWorkspaceID = [regex]::Match($selectedWorkspaceFullText, '\[(\S+)\]').groups[1].value

    # Shell output of selection
    Write-Output "Selected Workspace Name: $selectedWorkspaceName"
    Write-Output "Selected Workspace ID: $selectedWorkspaceID"

    # Launch Microsoft Edge with the selected workspace
    Write-Host "Launching Microsoft Edge for workspace: $selectedWorkspaceName"
    Start-Process -FilePath "msedge.exe" -ArgumentList "--launch-workspace=$selectedWorkspaceID --no-startup-window"
    Write-Host "Workspace has been launched."
}