Microsoft Edge is committed to keeping you safe online, and we aim for security that is smart, built-in, and easy for everyone. We are introducing Restart to update on idle - a new opt-in feature that relaunches your browser when you are away from your computer to apply pending updates. This means that critical security bug fixes reach you faster, and new features and enhancements are available to apply earlier.
Today, many browsers – including Edge – wait for you to manually close and restart your browser to apply updates. This behavior can be inconvenient and can result in some users going days without getting the latest update. Restart to update on idle goes beyond the “automatic” updates offered by other browsers, because it doesn’t require you to take the action to relaunch your browser. Instead, with this feature, Microsoft Edge knows when you step away from your computer and relaunches itself when there are any pending updates. After Microsoft Edge relaunches, it automatically restores your tabs, so you can seamlessly pick up where you left off, knowing you already have the latest version.
How Restart to update on idle works
Microsoft Edge's Restart to update on idle is designed to recognize when you're actively using your browser or computer. It waits to restart, ensuring it doesn't disrupt your browsing, whether you're editing a document, downloading files, or streaming media.
Note
Restart to update on idle does not work when using InPrivate browsing mode.
This feature is designed to restart and update the browser when it isn't in use. However, there's a possibility of losing unsaved work during the restart.
As we continue to preview the feature, your feedback is crucial in helping us continue to refine and enhance it. You can submit feedback by going to Settings and more (…) > Help and feedback > Send feedback.
Turn on Restart to update on idle
This feature is off by default. To turn it on:
- In Microsoft Edge, go to Settings > About Microsoft Edge.
- Alternatively, you can go directly to it inside Settings at
edge://settings/help.
- Turn the toggle On for Restart to update on idle (Instant update if you are in a version earlier than Edge 156). If you want to disable this feature, turn the toggle Off.
Once you have enabled the feature, the following notification will alert you of any pending browser updates when your computer is idle. This notification is designed to inform you of the upcoming browser relaunch in case you return to your browser during this time period. It will only appear when your device is idle, ensuring minimal disruption. Once the countdown concludes, the browser will automatically relaunch to implement the latest update.
Frequently asked questions
What is the risk of content loss when I enable “Restart to update on idle”?
This feature updates the browser when you're not actively using it, but it can cause content loss if you have unsaved work or open tabs that the update closes. While not an exhaustive list, content loss might occur in the following scenarios: unsaved documents and incomplete forms.
Many modern web applications automatically save data in the background, ensuring a seamless user experience. However, some older web applications don't have this capability.
The Microsoft Edge autofill feature helps you quickly fill out forms so you can pick up where you left off.
How long until the browser relaunches when I turn on the feature?
Browser relaunches:
If the device is idle for 15 minutes with no active wake locks, the feature displays a notification informing you of a pending browser relaunch.
Upon displaying the notification, the feature starts a 5-minute countdown for Edge to relaunch.
If you continue to be idle with no active wake locks during this time, the browser relaunches to apply the pending update.
This process ensures that the browser only relaunches after a minimum of 20 minutes of device inactivity, allowing updates to be applied seamlessly without disrupting your workflow.
What happens to my browser tabs when I return to my computer?
After relaunching to apply the update, Edge automatically restores your browser tabs so you can easily pick up where you left off.
If your tabs don't restore, you can right-click the title bar in Edge, which displays the title of the website you're viewing, and click Restore window or use the shortcut Ctrl+Shift+T. For more information, see How to reopen closed tabs or adjust your Edge browser settings.
Is there a group policy for enterprises or IT admins?
Microsoft is actively collaborating with commercial partners to gain a deeper understanding of their needs, with the aim of developing a robust group policy that IT administrators can use effectively. Currently, the Restart to update on idle feature doesn't have an associated policy. Microsoft is committed to addressing this gap and will keep you updated on its progress.
What happens if Edge is running but minimized, or if Edge isn't running?
If Microsoft Edge is running but minimized, the update still applies. Edge remains minimized and automatically restores your browser tabs, so you can seamlessly continue from where you left off. If Edge isn't running, the update applies the next time you open the browser.
How do I know if I have wake locks that prevent me from getting an update?
The edge://discards/ page provides insights into wake locks that prevent a tab from entering sleep mode. The Can Sleep? column indicates if the tab is playing audio or video.
You can also check by opening an elevated command prompt and running the following command:
On Windows:
powercfg /requestsOn macOS:
pmset -g assertions
The output shows all current wake locks on your device. Wake locks that aren't from Microsoft Edge don't prevent the browser from getting an update.