Microsoft Edge automatic update on Windows Server with multiple users

Baumgartner Markus 26 Reputation points
2021-07-23T07:22:19.34+00:00

Hi,
I tried to implement the automatic update for Microsoft Edge on some of our servers.
But Edge can't be updated automatically if it's used by multiple users. (On Windows 10 with only one user at a time it's working quite fine.)
All users have to close Edge and after that it's possible to "enable" the update.
I applied the policy for forcing the restart of the browser after 12 hours, that's why I thought it should work, because every user will get the message that a restart is necessary and all edge processes should be closed automatically.
I couldn't find any useful information on the web regarding my problem.

As a workaround I terminated all Edge processes of all users on the server via PowerShell after I got the "a restart of Edge is necessary to apply the update" message for 3 days. (Because the automatic update couldn't update the browser...it was already installed, but not used until all Edge processes were closed.)

Hope you can help me with this!

(I also posted the same topic in https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftedge/forum/all/microsoft-edge-automatic-update-on-windows-server/44d6b0af-b4a6-40ea-92a2-1a4f5a3a2cef and was told posting it in this forum.)

Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge
A Microsoft cross-platform web browser that provides privacy, learning, and accessibility tools.
2,114 questions
Windows Server
Windows Server
A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.
12,082 questions
Accepted answer
  1. Yu Zhou-MSFT 12,036 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
    2021-07-26T06:10:04.497+00:00

    Hi @Baumgartner Markus

    I can reproduce what you said. I think it's not an issue but a default behavior on Windows Server. When you install the app on server, actually you install only one app and different users all have access to that app.

    When different users use Edge on the server, they're just opening different instances of the main Edge process. Edge needs to restart the browser to complete installing the updates, so you can choose an off-work time to close all Edge instances of all users on the server to completely close Edge, then open Edge using whatever user account. It will complete updating and Edge will be up to date on all user accounts.

    If the response is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it.
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    Regards,
    Yu Zhou

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  1. Baumgartner Markus 26 Reputation points
    2021-08-11T15:10:08.643+00:00

    Hi,
    I got it working in the meantime by just terminating all Edge processes via a scheduled task if there is a new update available and already installed (new_msedge.exe in program directory).
    It's not the nicest way, but it's at least working without any problems.
    But I still think that this close should be enforced by the GPO for all Edge instances simultaneously...never mind.

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