M365 Changelog: (Updated) Microsoft Edge for Business is coming in Edge version 116
MC642267 – Updated August 7, 2023: Microsoft has updated the content below with additional information. Thank you for your patience.
Microsoft Edge for Business, the new, dedicated work experience currently in preview, is planned to be released with Microsoft Edge stable version 116 (scheduled for the week of August 17, 2023). All users who sign into Edge using Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) will automatically be transitioned to Microsoft Edge for Business as part of the release.
Microsoft Edge for Business on desktop and mobile aims to address the needs of both end users and IT Pros. It is designed to meet the needs of the evolving security landscape while empowering users to be more productive by enhancing focus. In addition to native enterprise controls that you’re already familiar with in Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Edge for Business includes new visual elements, including an adjusted icon, and optional automatic switching between a personal browser window (activated by Microsoft account MSA login) and a work browser window (activated by Entra ID login).
Policies, settings, and configurations previously set by an organization and its Entra ID connected users will be maintained in the transition to Edge for Business. Additionally, passwords, favorites, and data currently associated with the user’s work profile will be transferred to Edge for Business. There is no impact to users’ default browser settings. There are no functional changes to the Entra ID profile.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 144362
When this will happen:
Preview is currently available in Microsoft Edge version 115 or later.
Microsoft Edge for Business is planned to be released with Microsoft Edge stable version 116 (scheduled for the week of August 17, 2023).
How this will affect your organization:
- Policies, settings, and configurations previously set by an organization and its Entra ID connected users will be automatically transitioned to Edge for Business.
- IT maintains full control over policy and feature management and configuration with Edge for Business.
- The icon for the work browser window will be updated to include a briefcase.
- Upon first opening Edge after the update, the user will see an in-product banner informing them of the change with a link to learn more.
- An optional personal browsing window for Microsoft Edge is enabled so users with a personal profile can separate their work and personal browsing with focus on personal content separated from work. For example, in the personal browser window, when a work site is accessed, it will be redirected to open in the work window, if automatic switching is enabled. The personal browser window is lightly managed, with IT maintaining control over security, compliance, and update policies. This feature does not create any link between the user’s Entra ID account and their MSA account, and the organization settings related to linking work and personal accounts are unaffected. There are no functional changes to the Entra ID profile.
Note: The above applies to Edge for Business on desktop. An updated icon, automatic switching, and management via Edge management service in the Microsoft 365 admin center will be available for Edge for Business on mobile in the future.
What you need to do to prepare:
- Inform your users of this upcoming change.
- For end users to experience optional automatic switching from a personal browser window to a work browser window, they must sign in to at least one Entra ID profile (work account) and one Microsoft account profile (personal account) and enable this in Edge settings.
- (Optional) Review the policies available for personal browser management.
Additional information
Visit the FAQ for more in-depth information.
Microsoft always values feedback and questions from our customers.