If you use your web browser for both work and personal tasks, your tab bar can quickly become chaotic. Mixing research for an upcoming project with personal shopping tabs and social media makes it difficult to stay focused. To solve this problem, Microsoft introduced a highly useful feature known as Microsoft Edge Workspaces. This tool allows you to create separate, dedicated browsing environments for different tasks or projects, dramatically improving your daily productivity.
In this guide, we will walk you through exactly how to set up, use, and share Microsoft Edge Workspaces to streamline your digital life.
What Are Microsoft Edge Workspaces?
Unlike standard browser profiles, Microsoft Edge Workspaces operate within your main browser window. They act as distinct, saved sessions where you can group related tabs and favourites. For example, you could have one workspace dedicated to “Holiday Planning” and another for “Quarterly Financials”. When you switch between workspaces, all your relevant tabs instantly appear, and irrelevant ones are hidden away.
How to Create a New Workspace
Creating a new workspace is incredibly simple and takes only a few seconds. Follow these steps to get started:
- Open Microsoft Edge on your computer.
- Look for the Workspaces icon located in the top-left corner of the browser, just next to your vertical tabs button (it usually looks like a small square with an overlapping outline).
- Click on the icon and select Create new workspace.
- Enter a descriptive name for your workspace, such as “Project Alpha” or “Travel Plans”.
- Choose a colour for the workspace to help you easily identify it at a glance.
- Click Done.
You are now in your new workspace! Any tabs you open here will automatically be saved to this specific session.
How to Manage and Switch Between Workspaces
Once you have created multiple Microsoft Edge Workspaces, navigating between them is effortless. Simply click the Workspaces icon in the top-left corner and select the workspace you wish to open from the drop-down menu. A new Edge window will open displaying only the tabs saved in that specific workspace.
Deleting a Workspace
When you have finished a project and no longer need the workspace, you can easily remove it to keep things organised:
- Click the Workspaces icon.
- Hover over the workspace you want to delete.
- Click the three-dot menu next to its name.
- Select Delete workspace and confirm your choice.
How to Share Workspaces with Others
One of the most powerful features of Microsoft Edge Workspaces is the ability to collaborate in real-time. If you are working on a team project, you can share a workspace so that everyone sees the same tabs and can add new ones dynamically.
- Open the workspace you want to share.
- Click the Invite button located in the top-right corner of the Edge toolbar.
- Copy the provided link and send it to your colleagues or friends.
When they click the link, they will join the workspace, and any changes they make (such as opening a new tab) will instantly reflect on your screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Microsoft account to use Workspaces?
Yes, you must be signed into Microsoft Edge with a Microsoft account to create and sync your workspaces across devices.
Are my personal passwords shared in a collaborative workspace?
No, your browsing data, passwords, and cookies remain private and are not shared with other users in the workspace.
By integrating this feature into your daily routine, you can keep your digital workspace perfectly organised and significantly boost your overall productivity.
