TIP: How to Restore Old Classic Address bar in Microsoft Edge

Newer versions of Microsoft Edge web browser come with a new modern address bar or omnibox which features rounded corners and shadow effects. In older versions of Edge browser, the address bar was very minimal with squared corners and no shadow effects or animations.

If you don’t like the new modern address bar and want to restore classic address bar in Edge browser, this article will help you.

If you are using Microsoft Edge web browser since long time, you might have noticed that the address bar has received lots of UI changes in recent versions. In newer versions, the address bar is drawn or composed using Aura and features rounded corners and shadow effects around the drop-down box containing suggestions list.

Following screenshot shows the new animated address bar displayed as a toast or flyout in Microsoft Edge newer versions:

In older versions of Microsoft Edge browser, the address bar was very compact and minimal. It was drawn or composed as a classic popup window with squared corners and no shadow effects.

Following screenshot shows the old classic address bar activated and enabled in newer versions of Microsoft Edge browser:

You can clearly notice the UI differences between old and new address bar in Microsoft Edge browser. Old classic address bar seems faster than the new one as it doesn’t utilize any eye candy effects such as shadow or animations.

If you also want to bring back and enjoy old classic address bar in Microsoft Edge web browser, the instructions given below will help you.

There is a hidden secret preference/flag available in Microsoft Edge to enable or disable old or new address bar in the browser. Users can modify this secret preference to disable the new modern address bar with rounded corners and enable classic address bar with squared corners in Edge.

Following steps will help you in activating the old or new address bar in Microsoft Edge web browser:

STEP 1: Open Microsoft Edge web browser and type edge://flags/ in address bar and press Enter. It’ll open the advanced configuration page.

STEP 2: Now type aura in the “Search flags” box.

You’ll see following options on the page:

STEP 3: To disable new address bar with rounded corners and enable classic address bar with squared corners in Edge, select Disabled from the drop-down box for the “Use Aura for Omnibox” option.

STEP 4: Microsoft Edge will ask you to restart the browser. Click on “Restart” button to restart Microsoft Edge.

After restarting Edge, you’ll get the classic and compact address bar back in your web browser.

PS: If you decide to restore new modern address bar in Edge in future, select Default or Enabled option from the drop-down box for the above mentioned option on edge://flags page and restart the browser.

Also Check:

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