How to Completely Disable ‘Edge Workspaces’ via Group Policy in Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge Workspaces is a feature that allows users to share a set of browser tabs and collaborate with others in real-time. By inviting colleagues to a Workspace, everyone sees the same websites, and updates to the tab group sync instantly across all participating devices. While beneficial for collaborative projects, Edge Workspaces represent a substantial Data Loss Prevention (DLP) risk. Users could inadvertently share tabs containing highly sensitive internal systems, confidential client portals, or intranet sites. If a Workspace link is accidentally shared with an external party or a compromised internal account, unauthorized users gain immediate visibility into the group’s browsing sessions.

This guide explains how to completely disable Edge Workspaces via Group Policy in Microsoft Edge, preventing users from creating or joining collaborative browsing sessions.

Disable Edge Workspaces via Group Policy

To enforce a strict block that removes the Workspaces icon from the title bar and prevents the browser from connecting to the underlying synchronization service, we must deploy an administrative template. Note that this requires Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions.

1. Log into Windows 11 with an Administrator account.
2. Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialogue box.
3. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter to launch the Local Group Policy Editor.
4. In the left-hand navigation pane, strictly follow this exact path:

   Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Microsoft Edge

5. In the right-hand pane, locate the policy named Enable Workspaces.
6. Double-click the policy to open its configuration window.
7. Select the radio button next to Disabled.
8. Click Apply, then click OK.

Verify the Configuration Lockdown

Group Policy changes require the browser to read the registry upon its next launch. Close all active instances of Microsoft Edge.

To verify the restriction is active, open Microsoft Edge. The Workspaces icon (which resembles overlapping squares, typically located in the top-left corner of the title bar next to the profile icon) will be completely absent. Furthermore, if users click on legacy Workspace links shared via email or chat, the browser will refuse to process the URI scheme, failing to load the collaborative environment. By disabling this feature at the policy level, you eliminate the risk of accidental tab-sharing and secure your organization’s internal browsing activity.