[Tip] Enable or Disable New Sidebar in Microsoft Edge

In newer versions of Microsoft Edge web browser, a new sidebar automatically appears at the right-side of the browser window. If you don’t like this new toolbar addition, this article will help you in disabling or removing the new sidebar in Edge. Also if you haven’t received the new sidebar feature in your Edge browser and want to manually enable it, this article will also assist you in adding the sidebar to Edge.

[Quick Review] The New Sidebar in Microsoft Edge

Following screenshot shows the new sidebar added to Microsoft Edge web browser:

The new sidebar in Edge is pinned to the right-side of the browser window and always stays on top. You can keep browsing websites and also use the sidebar simultaneously.

The sidebar contains a few useful buttons such as:

• Search
• Discover
• Tools
• Games
• Microsoft Office
• Outlook

Clicking on each button opens the respective website in a new flyout panel attached to the sidebar.

The Tools option seems the most useful component of the sidebar. It contains a few useful built-in applications such as world clock, calculator, dictionary, translator, unit converter and Internet speed test.

These tiny apps might come very handy while browsing the web and translating text, converting units, finding meaning of a word, etc.

You can add/remove apps from Tools flyout by clicking on the Settings button present at the top-right side of the Tools flyout near the Close button. You can set the toggle buttons to ON or OFF to add/remove shortcuts to Tools panel.

Add or Remove Icons on Edge Sidebar

You can add/remove all available shortcuts icons on the Edge Sidebar by clicking on the Add (+) button given below the shortcuts list.

Just enable/disable the toggle buttons given next to the desired shortcut and it’ll immediately add/remove respective icons on the sidebar.

Enable or Disable the New Sidebar in Microsoft Edge

If you want to show or hide the sidebar in Edge, there are multiple ways:

1. Click on the Hide button present at the bottom of the sidebar and it’ll remove the sidebar from Edge window.

2. Select “Show Sidebar” or “Hide Sidebar” options present on the main Edge 3-dots Menu to enable/disable the sidebar in Edge.

3. You can also press Ctrl+Shift+/ keys together to quickly show/hide the sidebar in Edge. It’s a built-in hotkey or keyboard shortcut to turn the sidebar on or off.

4. An option to show/hide the sidebar is also present in Edge Settings page. Open Edge Settings and go to Sidebar tab and you’ll see a toggle option to show or hide the sidebar in Edge.

[IMPORTANT] Edge Sidebar and Edge Bar are Two Different Things

Don’t get confused between the new sidebar and Edge bar. Both are different features in Edge. Edge Sidebar appears inside the Edge window. On the other hand, Edge Bar appears on the Desktop.

You can learn more about the Edge bar in following article:

[Tip] Enable or Disable Edge Bar in Windows 10 and Windows 11