EdgeOptions configuration in Selenium Java - Build an Automation Script

Configure Microsoft Edge browser with EdgeOptions and verify browser launch

Preconditions (3)

Step 1: Create an EdgeOptions object

Step 2: Set the browser to start maximized using EdgeOptions

Step 3: Add an argument to disable browser notifications using EdgeOptions

Step 4: Initialize EdgeDriver with the configured EdgeOptions

Step 5: Navigate to https://www.example.com

Step 6: Verify that the browser window is maximized

Step 7: Verify that the page title contains 'Example Domain'

Step 8: Close the browser

✅ Expected Result: Microsoft Edge browser launches maximized without notifications, navigates to example.com, and page title contains 'Example Domain'. Browser closes successfully.

Automation Requirements - Selenium WebDriver with Java

Assertions Needed:

Assert that the browser window size matches the screen size (maximized)

Assert that the page title contains 'Example Domain'

Best Practices:

Use explicit waits if needed (though not mandatory here)

Use EdgeOptions to configure browser capabilities

Use try-finally or @After method to ensure browser closes

Use By locators only if interacting with page elements (not needed here)

Avoid hardcoded waits; prefer implicit or explicit waits

Automated Solution

Selenium Java

import org.openqa.selenium.WebDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.edge.EdgeDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.edge.EdgeOptions;
import org.openqa.selenium.Dimension;
import org.junit.jupiter.api.AfterEach;
import org.junit.jupiter.api.Assertions;
import org.junit.jupiter.api.BeforeEach;
import org.junit.jupiter.api.Test;
import java.awt.Toolkit;

public class EdgeOptionsTest {
    private WebDriver driver;

    @BeforeEach
    public void setUp() {
        // Create EdgeOptions object
        EdgeOptions options = new EdgeOptions();
        // Start browser maximized
        options.addArguments("--start-maximized");
        // Disable notifications
        options.addArguments("--disable-notifications");

        // Initialize EdgeDriver with options
        driver = new EdgeDriver(options);
    }

    @Test
    public void testEdgeOptionsConfiguration() {
        // Navigate to example.com
        driver.get("https://www.example.com");

        // Get screen size for comparison
        Dimension screenSize = new Dimension(
            Toolkit.getDefaultToolkit().getScreenSize().width,
            Toolkit.getDefaultToolkit().getScreenSize().height
        );

        // Get browser window size
        Dimension windowSize = driver.manage().window().getSize();

        // Assert window is maximized (width and height at least screen size minus some OS taskbar)
        Assertions.assertTrue(windowSize.getWidth() >= screenSize.getWidth() - 50,
            "Browser width should be maximized");
        Assertions.assertTrue(windowSize.getHeight() >= screenSize.getHeight() - 50,
            "Browser height should be maximized");

        // Assert page title contains 'Example Domain'
        String title = driver.getTitle();
        Assertions.assertTrue(title.contains("Example Domain"), "Page title should contain 'Example Domain'");
    }

    @AfterEach
    public void tearDown() {
        if (driver != null) {
            driver.quit();
        }
    }
}

This test class uses Selenium WebDriver with Java and JUnit 5.

setUp(): Creates an EdgeOptions object and adds arguments to start the browser maximized and disable notifications. Then it initializes the EdgeDriver with these options.

testEdgeOptionsConfiguration(): Navigates to https://www.example.com. It then compares the browser window size to the screen size to verify the window is maximized (allowing a small margin for OS taskbars). It also asserts the page title contains 'Example Domain'.

tearDown(): Ensures the browser closes after the test to free resources.

This approach uses best practices like configuring browser options explicitly, verifying UI state with assertions, and cleaning up resources.

Common Mistakes - 4 Pitfalls

Not using EdgeOptions and launching EdgeDriver with default settings

Using Thread.sleep() to wait for page load instead of relying on implicit or explicit waits

Not closing the browser after test execution

Hardcoding window size values instead of comparing with screen size

Bonus Challenge

Now add data-driven testing with 3 different URLs and verify the page title contains expected text for each.

Show Hint

Practice

1. What is the primary purpose of using EdgeOptions in Selenium Java tests?

easy

A. To customize Microsoft Edge browser settings before launching it

B. To write test assertions for Edge browser

C. To locate web elements on the Edge browser page

D. To generate test reports for Edge browser tests

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand EdgeOptions role

   EdgeOptions is used to set browser preferences and configurations before starting Edge.

2. Step 2: Differentiate from other test tasks

   Assertions, locating elements, and reporting are separate tasks not handled by EdgeOptions.

3. Final Answer:

   To customize Microsoft Edge browser settings before launching it -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   EdgeOptions = browser setup [OK]

Hint: EdgeOptions sets browser settings before launch [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing EdgeOptions with assertion or locator classes
• Thinking EdgeOptions generates reports
• Using EdgeOptions to find elements

2. Which of the following is the correct way to add the argument --headless to an EdgeOptions object in Java?

easy

A. options.addArguments("--headless");

B. options.setArguments("--headless");

C. options.addArgument("headless");

D. options.setCapability("headless", true);

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall method to add arguments

   The correct method to add command-line arguments is addArguments(String... args).

2. Step 2: Check argument format

   The argument must be "--headless" with two dashes, matching browser flags.

3. Final Answer:

   options.addArguments("--headless"); -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Use addArguments("--headless") [OK]

Hint: Use addArguments with double dashes for flags [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using setArguments instead of addArguments
• Missing dashes in argument string
• Confusing addArgument (singular) which doesn't exist

3. Given the following code snippet, what will be the effect on the Edge browser when launched?

EdgeOptions options = new EdgeOptions();
options.addArguments("--disable-gpu");
options.setCapability("acceptInsecureCerts", true);
EdgeDriver driver = new EdgeDriver(options);

medium

A. The browser runs with GPU enabled and rejects insecure certificates

B. The browser runs in headless mode and blocks insecure certificates

C. The browser disables GPU hardware acceleration and accepts insecure SSL certificates

D. The browser disables GPU and runs with default SSL certificate settings

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze addArguments call

   Adding "--disable-gpu" disables GPU hardware acceleration in Edge.

2. Step 2: Analyze setCapability call

   Setting "acceptInsecureCerts" to true allows the browser to accept insecure SSL certificates.

3. Final Answer:

   The browser disables GPU hardware acceleration and accepts insecure SSL certificates -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Disable GPU + accept insecure certs = The browser disables GPU hardware acceleration and accepts insecure SSL certificates [OK]

Hint: Check argument effects and capability flags carefully [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing headless mode with disable-gpu
• Assuming default SSL behavior without checking capability
• Ignoring the effect of setCapability on SSL

4. Identify the error in the following EdgeOptions configuration code:

EdgeOptions options = new EdgeOptions();
options.addArguments("headless");
options.setCapability("acceptInsecureCerts", "true");
EdgeDriver driver = new EdgeDriver(options);

medium

A. addArguments should be replaced with setArguments and acceptInsecureCerts is correct

B. The argument "headless" is missing dashes and acceptInsecureCerts should be boolean, not string

C. EdgeOptions cannot set capabilities, use DesiredCapabilities instead

D. No error, code will run correctly

Solution

1. Step 1: Check argument format

   "headless" argument must be "--headless" with two dashes to work properly.

2. Step 2: Check capability value type

   "acceptInsecureCerts" expects a boolean value, not a string "true".

3. Final Answer:

   The argument "headless" is missing dashes and acceptInsecureCerts should be boolean, not string -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Arguments need dashes + boolean capability [OK]

Hint: Arguments need dashes; booleans not strings for capabilities [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using string "true" instead of boolean true
• Missing dashes in command-line arguments
• Thinking setArguments exists instead of addArguments

5. You want to configure EdgeOptions to run tests in headless mode, disable extensions, and accept insecure certificates. Which code snippet correctly achieves this?

hard

A. EdgeOptions options = new EdgeOptions();
options.addArguments("--headless");
options.addArguments("disable-extensions");
options.setCapability("acceptInsecureCerts", false);

B. EdgeOptions options = new EdgeOptions();
options.addArguments("headless", "disable-extensions");
options.setCapability("acceptInsecureCerts", "true");

C. EdgeOptions options = new EdgeOptions();
options.setArguments("--headless", "--disable-extensions");
options.setCapability("acceptInsecureCerts", true);

D. EdgeOptions options = new EdgeOptions();
options.addArguments("--headless", "--disable-extensions");
options.setCapability("acceptInsecureCerts", true);

Solution

1. Step 1: Verify argument syntax

   Arguments must have double dashes and be passed correctly. EdgeOptions options = new EdgeOptions(); options.addArguments("--headless", "--disable-extensions"); options.setCapability("acceptInsecureCerts", true); uses "--headless" and "--disable-extensions" properly.

2. Step 2: Check capability for insecure certs

   Capability "acceptInsecureCerts" must be boolean true to accept insecure certificates, as in EdgeOptions options = new EdgeOptions(); options.addArguments("--headless", "--disable-extensions"); options.setCapability("acceptInsecureCerts", true);.

3. Step 3: Confirm no syntax errors

   EdgeOptions options = new EdgeOptions(); options.addArguments("--headless", "--disable-extensions"); options.setCapability("acceptInsecureCerts", true); uses correct methods and types; others have missing dashes, wrong method names, or wrong boolean values.

4. Final Answer:

   EdgeOptions options = new EdgeOptions(); options.addArguments("--headless", "--disable-extensions"); options.setCapability("acceptInsecureCerts", true); -> Option D

5. Quick Check:

   Correct args + boolean capability = EdgeOptions options = new EdgeOptions(); options.addArguments("--headless", "--disable-extensions"); options.setCapability("acceptInsecureCerts", true); [OK]

Hint: Use addArguments with dashes and boolean for capabilities [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Missing dashes in arguments
• Passing string instead of boolean for capabilities
• Using non-existent setArguments method