Allow software WebGL fallback using SwiftShader
This `DWORD` registry value controls whether Microsoft Edge may use SwiftShader as a software-based WebGL fallback when hardware GPU acceleration is unavailable.
since 0.9.8.11
Purpose
Show registry keys (1)
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\EnableUnsafeSwiftShader
This DWORD registry value controls whether Microsoft Edge may use SwiftShader as a software-based WebGL fallback when hardware GPU acceleration is unavailable.
A value of 0 disables the fallback. Edge therefore does not use SwiftShader to provide WebGL on systems without available hardware acceleration, including environments such as virtual machines and headless systems.
Notes
Security
SwiftShader is deprecated in Microsoft Edge starting with version 144 because of security concerns. A value of 0 prevents the temporary exception that would allow continued SwiftShader use, leaving the security-driven retirement of this software fallback in effect.
Possible side effects
WebGL context creation can fail when hardware GPU acceleration is unavailable. Websites and web applications that depend on WebGL and do not handle context-creation failures may render incorrectly or lose functionality.
Notes
The policy is supported on Windows starting with Microsoft Edge version 139. It is a temporary policy and is scheduled for removal in a future Edge release.
Changes to this value are not applied through dynamic policy refresh; the browser must be restarted before the changed value takes effect.
Microsoft documentation
Microsoft Learn: Allow software WebGL fallback using SwiftShader