Microsoft Edge is getting desktop shortcuts for user profiles

Microsoft Edge Finally Gets a Feature That Should Have Been There Years Ago—Desktop Shortcuts for Profiles Coming in May 2026

In a move that has left many tech enthusiasts scratching their heads, Microsoft is finally bringing a long-overdue feature to its Edge browser: the ability to create and remove desktop shortcuts for different browser profiles. Yes, you read that right. After years of users juggling multiple profiles manually or relying on third-party workarounds, Microsoft is now adding a simple toggle in the profile settings to make this process seamless.

According to the latest update on the Microsoft 365 Roadmap, the feature—titled “Microsoft Edge: Add setting to create or remove profile desktop shortcut for Windows”—will allow users to generate desktop shortcuts for individual Edge profiles. This means you can now have separate icons on your desktop for your work profile, personal profile, or any other profile you use, making it faster and more convenient to switch between them.

The feature is described as follows: “A new toggle is added in the profile settings to give users the ability to create or remove the profile desktop shortcut. Available only for Windows devices.” While this is a welcome addition, the limitation to Windows devices has raised some eyebrows, especially considering that Chrome and Firefox have offered similar functionality across platforms for years.

Why Is This Such a Big Deal?

For those who use Edge for both personal and professional purposes, managing multiple profiles has always been a bit of a hassle. Without desktop shortcuts, users had to open Edge, navigate to the profile menu, and manually switch between profiles—a process that, while not overly complicated, could be time-consuming and frustrating.

With this new feature, Microsoft is essentially catching up to its competitors. Chrome, for instance, has allowed users to create shortcuts for specific profiles for years, and Firefox has offered similar functionality. The fact that Edge is only now getting this feature has led to some playful criticism from the tech community, with many joking that Microsoft is “late to the party.”

When Can You Expect It?

The feature is currently listed as “in development” on the Microsoft 365 Roadmap, with a rollout expected to begin in May 2026. While that might seem like a long wait, it’s worth noting that Microsoft often tests new features with a subset of users before rolling them out more broadly. So, if you’re eager to try it out, you might see it pop up on your system sooner than May.

The Bigger Picture

This update is part of Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to improve Edge and make it more competitive with other browsers. Over the past few years, Edge has undergone significant changes, including a switch to the Chromium engine, which has made it faster and more compatible with modern web standards. However, features like this one highlight that there’s still room for improvement.

For now, the addition of desktop shortcuts for profiles is a small but meaningful step forward. It’s a feature that many users have been asking for, and its arrival—albeit delayed—will undoubtedly make life easier for those who rely on Edge for multitasking.

Final Thoughts

While it’s hard to ignore the fact that Microsoft is playing catch-up with this feature, it’s also a reminder of how far Edge has come in recent years. The browser has evolved from a clunky, Internet Explorer-based relic to a sleek, Chromium-powered tool that can hold its own against Chrome and Firefox.

As we look ahead to May 2026, one thing is clear: Microsoft is listening to its users and making incremental improvements to Edge. Whether this feature will be enough to win over skeptics remains to be seen, but it’s certainly a step in the right direction.

Tags: Microsoft Edge, browser profiles, desktop shortcuts, Windows, Chrome, Firefox, Chromium, tech news, Microsoft 365 Roadmap, browser features, multitasking, productivity, software updates

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