Open links outside Edge in a new window

Question

Greetings.

I'm not sure if this is something related to Windows or Edge, but since a couple weeks the behaviour has changed regarding opening links from apps outside Edge.

I use several virtual desktops and I usuallly I leave Edge windows opened in these desktops. Normally, when I'm in a desktop that doesn't have an Edge window opened, whenever I click on a weblink in any app (Outlook, Teams, etc.) a new Edge window would open in that desktop. But since a couple of weeks, links now open in a different desktop that has an Edge window opened, so I find myself jumping from desktop to desktop without wanting to.

I don't know if anyone is familiar with this issue. Hopefully there's a fix.

Thank you in advance,

Answer 1

The behavior change is caused by a new Microsoft 365/Edge integration where links from Outlook and Teams open in Microsoft Edge with a side-by-side view of the email/chat and the web page. This integration can change how and where Edge windows are opened when links are clicked from those apps.

To restore more traditional behavior (and reduce unwanted desktop switching), configure which browser opens links from Outlook and Teams, or allow users to choose:

1. If managed by policy (IT/admin scenario)
   • Use the Choose Which Browser Opens Web Links policy.
   • Set it to System default browser if links should follow the Windows default browser, instead of forcing Edge.
   • This policy applies to Outlook for Windows and Teams for Windows and controls which browser opens web links from those apps.
2. If users manage their own settings
   • Leave the Choose Which Browser Opens Web Links policy Not configured or Disabled.
   • Then, in each app, users can choose how links open:
     • New Outlook for Windows: Settings > General > Files and links > Open hyperlinks from Outlook in.
     • Classic Outlook for Windows: File > Options > Advanced > File and browser preferences.
     • Teams: Settings > Files and links > Link open preference.
   • On first use, a banner in Edge may appear; selecting Manage my settings lets users revert to their system default browser instead of Edge.

Adjusting these settings or policy will stop Outlook/Teams from forcing links into an existing Edge integration window and should reduce the cross-desktop jumping when opening links from those apps.

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References:

• Web links from Outlook emails and Teams chats open in Microsoft Edge
• Web links from Outlook and Teams open in Microsoft Edge in side-by-side view

Answer 2

Hello Juan,

Thanks for reaching out. A similar case was discussed here: Microsoft Edge switches Virtual Desktops (pulls focus) when it is open in multiple desktops

From my understanding, Edge runs as a single-instance app by default, so when you click a link from another app, Windows may route it to an existing Edge window on a different desktop instead of opening a new one.

You can try a few workarounds:

1. Isolate Edge windows per desktop — Open Task View (Win + Tab), right-click the Edge window, and uncheck "Show windows from this app on all desktops." This keeps Edge windows tied to the desktop they were opened on.
2. Use separate Edge profiles per desktop — Click your profile icon in Edge and select "Add profile." Use a different profile on each virtual desktop. Edge treats each profile as a separate process, which reduces cross-desktop switching.
3. Check Multitasking settings — Go to Settings > System > Multitasking > Desktops > "Show open windows" and set it to "Only on the desktop I'm using."

Also, submitting feedback directly in Edge (Alt + Shift + I) helps the Edge team track this behavior.

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