en-US edge computer user

Configure the default paste format of URLs copied from Microsoft Edge, and determine if additional formats will be available to users

Verified with Microsoft Edge 152.0.4191.53 — updated on July 10, 2026

Microsoft Edge 152.0.4191.53

Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 87, Windows 7 or later

Path in the GPO console

Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Microsoft Edge

Description

If FriendlyURLs are enabled, Microsoft Edge computes more representations of the URL and places them on the clipboard. This policy configures what format is pasted when the user pastes in external applications or inside Microsoft Edge without the 'Paste as' context menu item. If you configure this policy, it makes a choice on behalf of the user. The options in edge://settings/shareCopyPaste will be grayed out, and the options in the 'Paste As' context menu won't be available. * Not configured = The users are able to choose their preferred paste format. By default, this is set to the friendly URL format. The 'Paste As' menu will be available in Microsoft Edge. * 1 = No additional formats are stored on the clipboard. There will be no 'Paste as' context menu item in Microsoft Edge, and the only format available to paste will be the plain text URL format. Effectively, the friendly URL feature is disabled. * 3 = The user gets a friendly URL whenever they paste into surfaces that accept rich text. The plain URL is still available for nonrich surfaces. There will be no 'Paste As' menu in Microsoft Edge. * 4 = (Not currently used) The richer formats may not be supported in some paste destinations and/or websites. In these scenarios, the plain URL option is recommended when configuring this policy. The recommended policy is available in Microsoft Edge 105 or later. Policy options mapping: * PlainText (1) = The plain URL without any extra information, such as the page's title. This is the recommended option when this policy is configured. For more information, see the description. * TitledHyperlink (3) = Titled Hyperlink: A hyperlink that points to the copied URL but whose visible text is the title of the destination page. This is the Friendly URL format. * WebPreview (4) = Coming soon. If set, behaves the same as 'Plain URL'. Use the preceding information when configuring this policy.

Registry

HKLM Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge
HKCU Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge

More options available

Options

Configure the default paste format of URLs copied from Microsoft Edge, and determine if additional formats will be available to users
ConfigureFriendlyURLFormat enum
  • The plain URL without any extra information, such as the page's title. This is the recommended option when this policy is configured. For more information, see the description. -> 1
  • Titled Hyperlink: A hyperlink that points to the copied URL but whose visible text is the title of the destination page. This is the Friendly URL format. -> 3
  • Coming soon. If set, behaves the same as 'Plain URL'. -> 4

Export Builder

BETA

Configure the state, scope and options, then generate .reg, PowerShell, Intune and SCCM outputs — or add the setting to a multi-setting collection.

These exports write the registry — this is not a managed GPO.

Scope

.reg file

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Configure the default paste format of URLs copied from Microsoft Edge, and determine if additional formats will be available to users
; State: Enabled
; Scope: Computer (HKLM)
; Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 87, Windows 7 or later

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge]
"ConfigureFriendlyURLFormat"=dword:00000001
More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)

PowerShell

# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Configure the default paste format of URLs copied from Microsoft Edge, and determine if additional formats will be available to users
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 87, Windows 7 or later

$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'ConfigureFriendlyURLFormat' -Value 1 -Type DWord

Building a multi-setting collection? Add this setting and generate combined .reg / PowerShell / GPO scripts.

Open the Builder

Embed this policy on your site

What to embed
Theme

Adds one script line: the theme follows your site’s appearance and the height fits the content. If your site blocks scripts, the embed follows the visitor’s system theme.

Preview