Microsoft introduces Edge Workspaces. This solution adds new features focused on collaboration to the Edge browser. Workspaces should provide teams with a central location with links and files.

Update 06/04/2023: Edge Workspaces is available in preview today. You can find the function in the top left of the taskbar under the action menu. You give the workspace a name and a theme color, after which you will receive a shareable link to invite colleagues. The Verge recommends creating the workspace at the beginning of the browser session. The function opens a new window and active tabs are not automatically adopted.

Original article from 10.12.2022: At Ignite 2022, Microsoft will introduce Edge Workspaces. This is a solution that turns the Edge browser into a core collaboration tool for teams. Microsoft notes that links and files shared by colleagues in channels and chats are often forgotten or snowed in. Edge Workspaces is a solution for this.

Surf together

A workspace is a shared set of tabs in the Edge browser. This allows groups to view the same websites, but also work together on the same files. Anyone with access to the workspace can edit tabs in real time.

Microsoft gives an example with links to interesting sites, but also a sharepoint with relevant files. According to the company, Workspaces not only simplifies collaboration, but also facilitates onboarding. After all, access to the workspace is enough for a new team member to get started right away.

Canvas competition

The design of Edge Workspaces is a bit reminiscent of Slack Canvas, which the parent company Salesforce introduced on Dreamforce. Canvas takes the form of a shared document that team members can add links and files to. Implementation is slightly different, but both solutions offer a central repository that should be more organized than a bunch of files and links in a chat.

It is striking that Microsoft Edge decides to implement its workspaces idea. After all, the software giant wants to promote teams as a central collaboration hub and insists on seamless working in a flow. On the other hand, edge workspaces can be an interesting application to convince companies to switch to the browser. The solution is immediately available in preview.