Use Primary Work Profile as default to open external links
Verified with Microsoft Edge 152.0.4191.53 — updated on July 10, 2026
Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 138, Windows 7 or later
Path in the GPO console
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Microsoft Edge - Default Settings (users can override)\Identity and sign-in User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Microsoft Edge - Default Settings (users can override)\Identity and sign-in Description
This policy controls whether Microsoft Edge uses the Primary Work Profile as the default profile when opening external links. 1. On Windows, the Primary Work Profile refers to the profile signed in with the Entra ID account used to enroll the device. 2. On macOS and Linux, the Primary Work Profile is the only profile signed in with an Entra ID account. If multiple profiles are signed in with Entra ID accounts, the Primary Work Profile setting doesn't apply. Policy behavior: 1. If enabled or not configured, Microsoft Edge uses the Primary Work Profile as the default for opening external links. 2. If disabled, the last used profile becomes the default for opening external links. Note: This policy doesn't override the following scenarios: 1. If the EdgeDefaultProfileEnabled policy is set, it takes precedence over this policy. 2. External links opened from Outlook or Microsoft Teams may be configured to launch in a specific profile, which can override the Primary Work Profile setting. 3. If the user sets a preference for "Default profile for external links" in Profile preferences, that setting takes effect.
Registry
Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\Recommended Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\Recommended Value name: EdgeOpenExternalLinksWithPrimaryWorkProfileEnabled
Enabled: EdgeOpenExternalLinksWithPrimaryWorkProfileEnabled = 1
Disabled: EdgeOpenExternalLinksWithPrimaryWorkProfileEnabled = 0
Export Builder
BETAConfigure 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. ⓘ
Applying both scopes creates an ambiguous configuration (computer takes precedence over user). Only do this intentionally.
.reg file
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Use Primary Work Profile as default to open external links
; State: Enabled
; Scope: Computer (HKLM)
; Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 138, Windows 7 or later
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\Recommended]
"EdgeOpenExternalLinksWithPrimaryWorkProfileEnabled"=dword:00000001More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)
PowerShell
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Use Primary Work Profile as default to open external links
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 138, Windows 7 or later
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\Recommended'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'EdgeOpenExternalLinksWithPrimaryWorkProfileEnabled' -Value 1 -Type DWordIntune XML
No direct Policy CSP / OMA-URI mapping for this policy. Use the Intune Remediation tab, or ingest the ADMX in Intune.Intune Remediation
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Use Primary Work Profile as default to open external links
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 138, Windows 7 or later
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\Recommended' -Name 'EdgeOpenExternalLinksWithPrimaryWorkProfileEnabled' -Expected 1 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Use Primary Work Profile as default to open external links
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 138, Windows 7 or later
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\Recommended'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'EdgeOpenExternalLinksWithPrimaryWorkProfileEnabled' -Value 1 -Type DWordSCCM scripts
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Use Primary Work Profile as default to open external links
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 138, Windows 7 or later
# SCCM Configuration Item guidance:
# Create a Configuration Item of type "Setting: Script".
# Discovery script: use the Detection script below.
# Remediation script: use the Remediation script below.
# Compliance rule: the Discovery script output equals 'Compliant'.
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Use Primary Work Profile as default to open external links
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 138, Windows 7 or later
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\Recommended' -Name 'EdgeOpenExternalLinksWithPrimaryWorkProfileEnabled' -Expected 1 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Use Primary Work Profile as default to open external links
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 138, Windows 7 or later
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\Recommended'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'EdgeOpenExternalLinksWithPrimaryWorkProfileEnabled' -Value 1 -Type DWordBuilding a multi-setting collection? Add this setting and generate combined .reg / PowerShell / GPO scripts.