Edge configuration in Selenium Python - Build an Automation Script

Verify Edge browser can open a webpage with specific options

Preconditions (2)

Step 1: Launch Microsoft Edge browser with options to start maximized and disable notifications

Step 2: Navigate to 'https://example.com'

Step 3: Verify the page title is 'Example Domain'

Step 4: Close the browser

✅ Expected Result: Edge browser opens maximized without notifications, navigates to 'https://example.com', and the page title is 'Example Domain'. Browser closes successfully.

Automation Requirements - Selenium with Python

Assertions Needed:

Assert that the page title is exactly 'Example Domain'

Best Practices:

Use EdgeOptions to configure browser settings

Use explicit waits if needed

Use try-finally or context management to ensure browser closes

Use By selectors properly

Avoid hardcoded sleeps

Automated Solution

Selenium Python

from selenium import webdriver
from selenium.webdriver.edge.service import Service
from selenium.webdriver.edge.options import Options
from selenium.webdriver.common.by import By
import time

# Configure Edge options
options = Options()
options.add_argument("--start-maximized")
options.add_argument("--disable-notifications")

# Initialize Edge driver with options
service = Service()  # Assumes msedgedriver is in PATH

try:
    driver = webdriver.Edge(service=service, options=options)
    driver.get("https://example.com")

    # Verify page title
    assert driver.title == "Example Domain", f"Expected title 'Example Domain' but got '{driver.title}'"

finally:
    driver.quit()

This script starts by importing necessary Selenium classes for Edge browser automation.

We create an Options object to add arguments that start the browser maximized and disable notifications, matching the manual test case requirements.

The Service object is created without arguments assuming the Edge WebDriver executable is in the system PATH.

We then create the Edge driver with these options and navigate to 'https://example.com'.

An assertion checks that the page title exactly matches 'Example Domain'. If not, it raises an error with a clear message.

Finally, the driver.quit() call in the finally block ensures the browser closes even if the assertion fails or an error occurs.

Common Mistakes - 4 Pitfalls

Not using EdgeOptions to configure browser settings

Hardcoding sleep() calls instead of using waits

Not closing the browser properly after test

Assuming WebDriver executable path without setting or verifying

Bonus Challenge

Now add data-driven testing to open three different URLs with the same Edge configuration and verify their titles.

Show Hint

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of using Options() in Edge configuration with Selenium?

easy

A. To specify the location of the Edge driver executable

B. To set browser settings like headless mode or window size

C. To write test assertions for Edge browser

D. To locate web elements on the page

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of Options()

   Options() is used to configure browser settings such as running in headless mode or setting window size.

2. Step 2: Differentiate from Service()

   Service() is used to specify the driver location, not browser settings.

3. Final Answer:

   To set browser settings like headless mode or window size -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Options() sets browser settings = A [OK]

Hint: Options() controls browser settings like headless mode [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Options() with Service()
• Thinking Options() locates elements
• Assuming Options() writes test assertions

2. Which of the following is the correct way to create an Edge driver with headless mode enabled in Python Selenium?

easy

A. options = Options()
options.add_argument('--headless')
driver = webdriver.Edge(options=options)

B. service = Service()
service.add_argument('--headless')
driver = webdriver.Edge(service=service)

C. driver = webdriver.Edge('--headless')

D. driver = webdriver.Edge(options='--headless')

Solution

1. Step 1: Use Options() to add headless argument

   Create an Options object and add the '--headless' argument using add_argument().

2. Step 2: Pass options to Edge driver constructor

   Pass the options object to webdriver.Edge() using the options parameter.

3. Final Answer:

   options = Options() options.add_argument('--headless') driver = webdriver.Edge(options=options) -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Options() + add_argument('--headless') + driver = Edge(options=options) = A [OK]

Hint: Use Options() and add_argument('--headless') for headless mode [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to add arguments to Service()
• Passing string directly to webdriver.Edge()
• Using wrong parameter names

3. What will be the output of the following code snippet?

from selenium import webdriver
from selenium.webdriver.edge.service import Service
from selenium.webdriver.edge.options import Options

options = Options()
options.add_argument('--window-size=800,600')
service = Service('path/to/msedgedriver')
driver = webdriver.Edge(service=service, options=options)
print(driver.execute_script('return window.innerWidth + "," + window.innerHeight'))
driver.quit()

medium

A. "800,600"

B. "1024,768"

C. SyntaxError

D. RuntimeError

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the options argument

   The code sets the window size to 800x600 using --window-size=800,600.

2. Step 2: Understand the JavaScript execution

   The script returns the current window inner width and height as a string separated by a comma.

3. Final Answer:

   "800,600" -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Window size set to 800x600, script returns "800,600" = C [OK]

Hint: Window size argument sets innerWidth and innerHeight [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming default window size is returned
• Confusing Service() with Options()
• Expecting syntax or runtime errors

4. Identify the error in the following Edge driver setup code:

from selenium import webdriver
from selenium.webdriver.edge.options import Options

options = Options()
options.add_argument('--headless')
driver = webdriver.Edge(options=options, executable_path='msedgedriver.exe')

medium

A. Missing import for Service class

B. Options() cannot be used with headless argument

C. Using 'executable_path' parameter is deprecated; should use Service()

D. Driver initialization syntax is correct

Solution

1. Step 1: Check driver initialization parameters

   The executable_path parameter is deprecated in recent Selenium versions for Edge.

2. Step 2: Use Service() to specify driver location

   The correct way is to create a Service object with the driver path and pass it via the service parameter.

3. Final Answer:

   Using 'executable_path' parameter is deprecated; should use Service() -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Use Service() for driver path, not executable_path [OK]

Hint: Use Service() for driver path, not executable_path [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using deprecated executable_path parameter
• Not importing Service class
• Thinking Options() disallows headless

5. You want to run Edge browser tests in headless mode with a custom user agent and a specific driver path. Which code snippet correctly configures this setup?

hard

A. from selenium import webdriver
options = Options()
options.add_argument('--headless')
options.add_argument('--user-agent=MyCustomAgent')
driver = webdriver.Edge(options=options)

B. from selenium import webdriver
options = Options()
options.headless = True
options.user_agent = 'MyCustomAgent'
driver = webdriver.Edge(executable_path='C:/drivers/msedgedriver.exe', options=options)

C. from selenium import webdriver
service = Service('C:/drivers/msedgedriver.exe')
driver = webdriver.Edge(service=service)
driver.add_argument('--headless')
driver.add_argument('user-agent=MyCustomAgent')

D. from selenium import webdriver
from selenium.webdriver.edge.service import Service
from selenium.webdriver.edge.options import Options

options = Options()
options.add_argument('--headless')
options.add_argument('--user-agent=MyCustomAgent')
service = Service('C:/drivers/msedgedriver.exe')
driver = webdriver.Edge(service=service, options=options)

Solution

1. Step 1: Add headless and user-agent arguments to Options()

   Use add_argument() to add both '--headless' and '--user-agent=MyCustomAgent' correctly.

2. Step 2: Specify driver path using Service()

   Create a Service object with the driver path and pass it to webdriver.Edge() via the service parameter.

3. Step 3: Verify correct usage of parameters

   from selenium import webdriver options = Options() options.headless = True options.user_agent = 'MyCustomAgent' driver = webdriver.Edge(executable_path='C:/drivers/msedgedriver.exe', options=options) incorrectly uses deprecated executable_path and wrong attribute names. from selenium import webdriver service = Service('C:/drivers/msedgedriver.exe') driver = webdriver.Edge(service=service) driver.add_argument('--headless') driver.add_argument('user-agent=MyCustomAgent') tries to add arguments to driver object which is invalid. from selenium import webdriver options = Options() options.add_argument('--headless') options.add_argument('--user-agent=MyCustomAgent') driver = webdriver.Edge(options=options) misses driver path specification.

4. Final Answer:

   from selenium import webdriver from selenium.webdriver.edge.service import Service from selenium.webdriver.edge.options import Options options = Options() options.add_argument('--headless') options.add_argument('--user-agent=MyCustomAgent') service = Service('C:/drivers/msedgedriver.exe') driver = webdriver.Edge(service=service, options=options) -> Option D

5. Quick Check:

   Options add_argument + Service for driver path = D [OK]

Hint: Use Options add_argument and Service for driver path [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using deprecated executable_path instead of Service
• Adding arguments to driver instead of Options
• Missing driver path in configuration