Microsft Edge fails to restore tab groups

Question

Microsft Edge fails to restore tab groups

David Isler 20

Microsoft Edge(149.0.4022.62) fails to restore tab groups containing local file paths (C:\… or also "Networkdrive"). After restart, affected tabs are replaced by edge://newtab/, (ERR_INVALID_URL) indicating a loss of session data. Issue started recently (2-3 weeks ago) and is reproducible. Bevor it worked. Any idea what that could be?

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Answer accepted by question author

Carl-L 22,825 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hello David Isler,

Your description actually matches an issue that I have seen recently with tab groups. As I see, the issues also affect Chrome, not just Edge. So the root cause of this might be lying with the Chromium engine itself.

I see that most users can restore their previous session by using the back button, can you please check and confirm that? Also. since the issue come from the engine. I'd suggest avoiding using tab groups for documents or PDF readers tabs.

I hope this clarifies.

David Isler 20 Reputation points

2026-06-15T05:35:52.5366667+00:00

Hi Carl

Thanks for your answer. Your workaround works. Thats great. Thanks a lot. I know, thats not the best to oyu Tab-Groups for PDF-Readers, but user needs to work with several PDF'Groups and for him it is the easiest way, if he does not want to open 30 or 40 files every day.

Kind Regards
David
Carl-L 22,825 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-16T13:22:48.5333333+00:00

Hello David Isler,

I fully understand that it is quite inconvenient. However, since it is an engine wide issue, there is little thing individual browsers can change about it. So, in the meantime, please use the workaround while waiting for a fix from the engine side. Thank you for your understanding.

1 additional answer

Your answer

David Isler 20 Reputation points

2026-06-15T05:35:52.5366667+00:00

Hi Carl

Thanks for your answer. Your workaround works. Thats great. Thanks a lot. I know, thats not the best to oyu Tab-Groups for PDF-Readers, but user needs to work with several PDF'Groups and for him it is the easiest way, if he does not want to open 30 or 40 files every day.

Kind Regards
David
Carl-L 22,825 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-16T13:22:48.5333333+00:00

Hello David Isler,

I fully understand that it is quite inconvenient. However, since it is an engine wide issue, there is little thing individual browsers can change about it. So, in the meantime, please use the workaround while waiting for a fix from the engine side. Thank you for your understanding.

Answer 1

The behavior matches a regression in how Edge now restores tabs and tab groups, especially with local file paths, and there is no documented setting to revert to the previous behavior. Only documented, supported mitigations from the provided context can be suggested:

Verify Edge is fully up to date
- Go to Settings and more → Settings → About Microsoft Edge and apply any available updates. Some tab and session issues are resolved in newer builds.
Check startup/session configuration
- Go to Settings and more → Settings → Start, home, and new tab page.
- Ensure Open tabs from the previous session is selected so Edge attempts to restore the last session, including tab groups.
- Be aware that if “clear browsing data on close” is configured, some data is deleted, but the URL list is expected to persist for the next session; if local file URLs are being converted to edge://newtab/, this is likely a product issue rather than a configuration problem.
Reset Edge settings (non-destructive to passwords/history)
- Navigate to edge://settings/reset.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- This preserves bookmarks, history, and saved passwords, but resets pinned tabs, startup page, search engine, and extensions. After the reset, re‑test whether tab groups with local file paths are restored correctly.
Basic stability checks
- If Edge is also unstable (crashing or closing tabs unexpectedly), follow the general troubleshooting steps:
  - Close unnecessary tabs, extensions, and apps, then retry.
  - Restart the computer and test again.
  - Ensure Edge is repaired if needed: Start → Settings → Apps → Installed apps → Microsoft Edge → Modify → Repair.
If the issue persists
- With the above settings confirmed and Edge updated, the loss of session data for local file tabs inside tab groups is consistent with a product bug introduced in a recent version. At that point, the next step is to collect diagnostic data (Edge version, Shift+Esc Browser Task Manager screenshots, edge://discards output) and open a support case or feedback report so the Edge team can address the regression.

References: