How to use the command 'msedge' (with examples)

Microsoft Edge is a modern web browser developed by Microsoft, based on the open-source Chromium project originally developed by Google. The msedge command allows users to open the Edge browser from the command line with various options and settings. This command is particularly useful for developers or power users who need to automate browser tasks or customize their browsing experience beyond what the standard GUI options provide.

Open a Specific URL or File (with examples)

Code:

msedge https://example.com

Motivation:

Opening a specific URL or file directly from the command line is a convenient feature especially useful for web developers, testers, or users who work with local HTML files. It saves time by not requiring navigation through the browser’s GUI and is helpful in quickly accessing frequently used web resources or files.

Explanation:

• msedge: This part of the command launches the Microsoft Edge browser using the command line.
• https://example.com: This is the target URL we want Edge to open. It could also be a path to a local HTML file if desired.

Example Output:

Upon execution, Microsoft Edge will launch, and the page “https://example.com ” will be loaded in the current or a new tab, depending on your settings.

Open in InPrivate Mode

Code:

msedge --inprivate example.com

Motivation:

InPrivate mode is used for browsing without saving your history, cookies, or temporary files. This is particularly useful for privacy-concerned users who wish to prevent tracking or keep their browsing sessions private on a shared computer.

Explanation:

• --inprivate: This argument triggers InPrivate mode, which ensures that no browsing data is stored at the end of the session.
• example.com: This directs the browser to open the specified webpage ’example.com’ in InPrivate mode.

Example Output:

Executing this command will open Microsoft Edge in a window marked with “InPrivate”, indicating that browsing is private, and the webpage “example.com” will be loaded.

Open in a New Window

Code:

msedge --new-window example.com

Motivation:

Users often need to isolate web sessions or compare multiple pages side by side. Opening pages in a new window can help manage tasks more effectively by separating them across different windows for better organization and focus.

Explanation:

• --new-window: This argument ensures that the given URL is opened in a freshly spawned window, separate from existing windows.
• example.com: This specifies the web address to load in the new window.

Example Output:

A new Microsoft Edge window will open, displaying the page “example.com”. This operation will not affect your currently open Edge windows or tabs.

Open in Application Mode

Code:

msedge --app=https://example.com

Motivation:

Application mode is beneficial for users wanting a clean interface when using web applications. By stripping away the traditional browser elements like the address bar, toolbars, and buttons, the user can focus solely on the application’s interface.

Explanation:

• --app=https://example.com: This argument configures Edge to launch the specified URL as a standalone application. It removes standard browser UI elements, streamlining the user interface for the given web app.

Example Output:

Microsoft Edge will open a new window, displaying “https://example.com ” without any typical browser navigation elements, providing an application-like user experience.

Use a Proxy Server

Code:

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

Motivation:

Using a proxy server is valuable for testing network requests, enhancing security, or accessing geo-restricted content. Developers, network administrators, and users concerned with privacy and security often utilize proxies to route their internet traffic.

Explanation:

• --proxy-server="socks5://hostname:66": This specifies the proxy server settings using the SOCKS5 protocol. It routes traffic through the proxy specified by ‘hostname’ and port number ‘66’.
• example.com: The URL that the browser will access using the specified proxy settings.

Example Output:

Launching this command will open Microsoft Edge, loading “example.com” through the defined SOCKS5 proxy server, ensuring the browsing session goes through the proxy for privacy and security purposes.

Open with a Custom Profile Directory

Code:

msedge --user-data-dir=path/to/directory

Motivation:

Managing different user profiles with customized settings, bookmarks, and extensions can be quite efficient for users who need distinct environments for different tasks. This is especially useful for developers testing various setups or households sharing a computer.

Explanation:

• --user-data-dir=path/to/directory: This defines a custom directory location where Edge will store its user data, such as cookies, settings, and extensions for this particular session.

Example Output:

Upon execution, Microsoft Edge will open, utilizing a separate user profile stored at the specified directory path, allowing the user to operate with alternative settings and configurations.

Open without CORS Validation

Code:

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

Motivation:

During web development, particularly when testing APIs, CORS (Cross-Origin Resource Sharing) might block requests between different origins. Disabling it can facilitate quick testing across different domains without modifying server-side settings.

Explanation:

• --user-data-dir=path/to/directory: Utilizes a specified directory for temporary user data storage.
• --disable-web-security: This important argument disables the same-origin policy in Edge, thus allowing cross-origin requests.

Example Output:

When you run this command, Edge will start, operating from the defined user profile directory, and it will allow cross-site requests without restriction, easing API development and testing processes.

Open with a DevTools Window for Each Tab Opened

Code:

msedge --auto-open-devtools-for-tabs

Motivation:

For developers involved in web development, stringent testing, and debugging is crucial. Automatically opening DevTools for each tab can save the time otherwise spent manually opening these tools, making the development workflow more efficient.

Explanation:

• --auto-open-devtools-for-tabs: This command argument ensures that the Developer Tools pane is automatically opened for every new tab.

Example Output:

Running this command will start Microsoft Edge with every new tab also opening the Developer Tools window, providing immediate access to debugging features and insights into the web page’s function and performance.

Conclusion

The msedge command provides an array of powerful options for controlling the Microsoft Edge browser from the command line. From simple tasks like opening URLs to complex operations like using a custom proxy or profile directory, these commands are invaluable for users seeking efficiency and advanced control over their browsing experience. Whether for privacy, development, or personal organization, these use cases illustrate the diverse ways Microsoft Edge can be harnessed through command-line actions.