Microsoft Edge is a cross-platform web browser developed by Microsoft.It was first released for Windows 10 and Xbox One in 2015, then for Android and iOS in 2017, for macOS in 2019, and as a preview for Linux in October 2020. Apr 12, 2021 What is Microsoft Edge for Mac Chromium-based release of Microsoft Edge for macOS platform. This is a Microsoft's take in Open-Source browser wars. Until the moment I wanted to sync my passwords, I didn't know Microsoft Edge was available for Mac OS. So, on my Windows laptop, I synced my Microsoft Edge Passwords to Google Chrome, then installed Chrome on the Macbook, and imported the passwords to Safari. For the first few days, things were okay with Safari. I was excited, I was okay.
-->This article describes how to configure policy settings on macOS using a Microsoft Edge policy manifest file on Jamf Pro 10.19.
You can also configure Microsoft Edge policy settings on macOS by using a property list (.plist) file. For more information, see Configure for macOS using a .plist
Prerequisites
The following software is required:
- Microsoft Edge Stable channel 81
- Policy Templates file, version 81.0.416.3
- Jamf Pro, Version 10.19
About the Jamf Pro Application & Custom Settings menu
Before Jamf Pro 10.18, managing Office 365 involved manually building a .plist file. This was a time-consuming workflow that required a strong technical background. Jamf Pro 10.18 eliminated those barriers by streamlining the configuration process. However, IT Admins could only use this new user interface for specific applications and preference domains specified by Jamf.
Mac Os Catalina
In Jamf Pro 10.19, a user can upload a JSON manifest as a 'custom schema' to target any preference domain, and the graphical user interface will be generated from this manifest. The custom schema that's created follows the JSON Schema specification.
For more information, see Computer Configuration Profiles in the Jamf Pro Administrator's Guide.
Get the policy manifest for a specific version of Microsoft Edge
To get the policy manifest:
Go to the Microsoft Edge Enterprise landing page.
On the Channel/Version dropdown list, select any channel with version 81 or later.*.
On the Build dropdown list, select any 81 build or later.*.
Click GET POLICY FILES to download our policy templates bundle.
Note
Currently, the policy templates bundle is signed as a CAB file. You'll need to use a 3rd party tool, such as The Unarchiver to open the file on macOS.
After you unpack the CAB file, unpack the ZIP file and navigate to the 'mac' top level directory. The manifest, which is named 'policy_manifest.json', is in this directory.
This manifest will be published in every policy bundle starting with build 81.0.416.3. If you want to test policies in the Dev channel, you can take the manifest associated with each Dev release and test it in Jamf Pro.
Use the policy manifest in Jamf Pro
Use the following steps to upload the policy manifest to Jamf Pro and then create a policy profile for macOS.
Sign in to Jamf.
Select the Computer tab.
Under Content Management, select Configuration Profiles.
On the Configuration Profiles page, click + New.
On New macOS Configuration Profile>Options, select Application & Custom Settings.
On the Application & Custom Settings popup window, click Configure.
In the Application & Custom Settings section, set the values shown in the following screen shot.
- For Creation Method, pick Configure settings.
- For Source, pick Custom Schema.
- For Preference Domain, provide the name of your domain. This example uses com.microsoft.Edge as the domain.
- For Custom Schema, paste the contents of the 'policy_manifest.json' manifest file.
- Click Save.
After you save the profile, Jamf displays the General section shown in the next screen shot.
- Provide a display Name for the profile and a Description.
- Keep the default setting for Category, which is None.
- For Distribution Method, the options are Install Automatically or Make Available in Self Service.
- For Level, the options are User Level or Computer Level.
- Click Save.
After you save the General section, Jamf shows the 'Microsoft Edge Beta Channel' configuration profile set up for our example. In the next screen shot, note that you can keep working the profile by clicking Edit or if you're finished, click Done.
Note
You can edit this profile after it's been saved and in another Jamf session. For example, you might decide to change the Distribution Method to Make Available in Self Service.
To do a follow up edit on the Microsoft Edge Stable Channel, or delete it, select the profile name, shown in the following Configuration Profiles screen shot.
Mac Os Versions
After you create the new configuration profile you still have to configure the Scope for the profile.
To configure the scope
For Targets, provide the following minimum settings:
- TARGET COMPUTERS. The options are Specific Computers or All Computers.
- TARGET USERS. The options are Specific Users or All Users.
- Click Save.
For Limitations, keep the default setting: None. Click Cancel.
For Exclusions, keep the default setting: None. Click Cancel.
See also
The Chromium engine has allowed for a complete refresh of Microsoft Edge, as the new browser evolved beyond the world of Windows to become a cross-platform application that can also run on macOS and soon on Linux.
Just like Google Chrome, Vivaldi, and other Chromium-based browser, Microsoft Edge can now serve as the main driver on more than just Windows 10. Both Windows 7 and 8.1 are also supported, and Microsoft is now at work on bringing the browser to the world of Linux too.
But expanding beyond the boundaries of Windows 10 isn't the only result of Microsoft Edge embracing the Chromium engine. This new approach also allowed Edge to evolve substantially with new capabilities, including support for Google Chrome extensions, and many other new features.
And Microsoft has tried an approach that makes so much sense for Windows users. The company retained the familiar look and feature lineup in the legacy version of Edge and brought it to the Chromium engine, thus developing a mix that makes it one of the best browsers currently available.
But the bigger challenge for Microsoft Edge isn't necessarily to serve as your daily driver on Windows 10, but to actually convince Chrome, Firefox, and Safari users it's worth a try.
As I see it, a more ambitious plan is to make Apple users sticking with Safari to migrate to Edge, something which for the hardcore fans of the Cupertino-based company is outrageous.
But for many others, it all comes down to using the best browser around at a certain time.
Right now, Microsoft Edge is just as good as Google Chrome, if not actually even better, so Mac users have no reason not to give it a try. While Safari itself is a pretty advanced browser, many choose it because it's the native choice. Others go for Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, both of which have been around for a long time on Macs, and now are rather reticent to giving a try to Microsoft Edge.
Microsoft, however, is fully committed to delivering a very refined experience regardless of the platform. The company maintains the browser with several development channels, including a Canary build that is updated on a daily basis. The Dev build receives updates every week, while the Beta channel is refreshed every six weeks.
'Microsoft Edge for macOS will offer the same new browsing experience that we're previewing on Windows, with user experience optimizations to make it feel at home on a Mac. We are tailoring the overall look and feel to match what macOS users expect from apps on this platform,' Microsoft said when it released the first build of the new Edge for macOS.
'We are committed to building a world class browser with Microsoft Edge through differentiated user experience features and connected services. With this initial release, we have made several changes to the user interface to align with the Microsoft design language whilst making it feel natural on macOS.'
The good news is that the adoption of Microsoft Edge is already improving, and the first victim appears to be Firefox. According to third-party statistics, while Google Chrome maintains a clear lead in the browser world on the desktop, Firefox is losing ground, and there's a good chance it'd lose the second place to Microsoft Edge in just a few months.
Edge is expected to improve its market share in the coming months as more people give it a try, and once the browser lands on Linux as well, it officially becomes a full alternative to the likes of Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.
