How to use the command 'microsoft-edge' (with examples)

Microsoft Edge is a modern web browser developed by Microsoft. It’s based on the Chromium web browser developed by Google, making it compatible with most web technologies and extensions available for Chrome. For Windows users, the command can also be invoked using msedge. This command provides several options to enhance the browsing experience by allowing specific configurations like private modes, proxy settings, and developer tools.

Opening a Specific URL or File (with examples)

Code:

microsoft-edge https://example.com|path/to/file.html

Motivation:

Opening a specific URL or HTML file directly through a command is an efficient way of quickly accessing web content, particularly for developers or power users who frequently switch between browsers or screens. This method streamlines the process by automating browser navigation, which can be particularly useful when testing website changes or presenting online resources without the need to type URLs manually.

Explanation:

• microsoft-edge: Invokes the Microsoft Edge browser.
• https://example.com|path/to/file.html: Specifies the resource to be opened, which can be a URL or a local file path.

Example Output:

Upon execution, Microsoft Edge launches and displays the content of the provided URL https://example.com or the HTML file located at path/to/file.html.

Opening in InPrivate Mode (with examples)

Code:

microsoft-edge --inprivate example.com

Motivation:

InPrivate browsing is a feature that prevents Edge from storing your browsing history, cookies, site data, or any information entered in forms. Use this to maintain privacy, especially when accessing websites on a shared or public computer, or when testing websites without interference from cached data or cookies.

Explanation:

• microsoft-edge: Specifies the browser launching.
• --inprivate: A flag that tells Edge to open in InPrivate mode.
• example.com: The website to be opened in InPrivate mode.

Example Output:

Microsoft Edge will open a new window in InPrivate mode, displaying the webpage at example.com, with the assurance that no browsing data will be recorded during the session.

Opening in a New Window (with examples)

Code:

microsoft-edge --new-window example.com

Motivation:

Opening a site in a new window can help users manage and organize different sessions for multitasking without interference from existing tabs and windows. This is particularly useful for presentations or when separating different tasks, projects, or user accounts.

Explanation:

• microsoft-edge: Initiates the Microsoft Edge browser.
• --new-window: A directive for Edge to open the specified URL in a completely new window.
• example.com: The target website to be displayed in the new browser window.

Example Output:

Microsoft Edge launches a fresh window, and the specified page at example.com loads independently of any currently open Edge windows.

Opening in Application Mode (with examples)

Code:

microsoft-edge --app=https://example.com

Motivation:

Application Mode allows users to view a website in a clean interface without browser elements like toolbars and URL bars, simulating the look and feel of a standalone application. This is perfect for web apps or when creating a distraction-free interface for users who need to focus solely on the web app functionality.

Explanation:

• microsoft-edge: Launches the Microsoft Edge browser.
• --app=https://example.com: Directs Edge to open the URL in application mode, stripping the user interface down to maximize screen real estate for the web content.

Example Output:

When executed, Microsoft Edge displays https://example.com in a minimalistic window with no traditional browser controls or navigation bars.

Using a Proxy Server (with examples)

Code:

microsoft-edge --proxy-server="socks5://hostname:66" example.com

Motivation:

Using a proxy server with Edge allows users to reroute their internet traffic through a specific server, enhancing privacy and security or circumventing geo-restrictions. It’s an essential functionality for users needing anonymous browsing or access to content not available in their region.

Explanation:

• microsoft-edge: Starts the Edge browser.
• --proxy-server="socks5://hostname:66": Configures Edge to route connections through the specified proxy server using the SOCKS5 protocol with hostname and port 66.
• example.com: The site to access via the proxy server.

Example Output:

Microsoft Edge will load example.com, with the connection tunneled through the specified SOCKS5 proxy, masking the user’s IP address to enhance privacy or bypass network restrictions.

Opening with a Custom Profile Directory (with examples)

Code:

microsoft-edge --user-data-dir=path/to/directory

Motivation:

This command is crucial for users who require separate browsing environments for different scenarios or need to test within distinct configuration settings. Custom profile directories can manage cookie settings, extensions, and browser history separately for various tasks or projects.

Explanation:

• microsoft-edge: Begins the launch of Microsoft Edge.
• --user-data-dir=path/to/directory: Instructs Edge to use a specific directory for all user data, maintaining separate session details, such as history, bookmarks, and extensions.

Example Output:

Edge opens with the user data derived from the designated directory, giving the appearance that this environment is a standalone browser instance tailored with the user’s custom settings and data.

Opening Without CORS Validation (with examples)

Code:

microsoft-edge --user-data-dir=path/to/directory --disable-web-security

Motivation:

Disabling web security can be essential for developers when testing web applications sending and receiving requests cross-origin. While generally unwise for everyday browsing, it’s invaluable for debugging and development of services utilizing advanced web APIs that are typically limited by CORS policies.

Explanation:

• microsoft-edge: Executes Microsoft Edge.
• --user-data-dir=path/to/directory: Uses a specified user data directory for session management.
• --disable-web-security: Turns off the enforcement of cross-origin security measures, a necessity for testing APIs under development.

Example Output:

Microsoft Edge starts, operating without the enforcement of CORS policies, thereby allowing unrestricted access to external resources from different origins to the user’s session on the browser.

Opening with a DevTools Window for Each Tab Opened (with examples)

Code:

microsoft-edge --auto-open-devtools-for-tabs

Motivation:

Automatically launching DevTools alongside each browser tab is advantageous for developers who are consistently troubleshooting or refining web pages. It offers immediate access to debugging tools necessary for identifying errors, inspecting elements, and profiling the network or performance.

Explanation:

• microsoft-edge: Executes the Microsoft Edge browser.
• --auto-open-devtools-for-tabs: Configures Edge to open the DevTools pane for every tab, gearing up the browser for web development needs instantly.

Example Output:

Each time a new tab is opened, Edge automatically displays the DevTools environment, ready for developers to inspect, debug, and analyze any aspect of the page.

Conclusion:

The microsoft-edge command is a versatile tool that offers a range of customizable options to enhance the browsing experience, cater to specific user needs, and provide essential functionalities for web development and testing. Whether it’s navigating the web while maintaining privacy, developing streamlined application interfaces, or debugging web pages with ease, these examples demonstrate how the power of command-line tools can optimize and enhance user and developer interactions with Microsoft Edge.