Microsoft’s commitment to enhancing user experience is evident with the introduction of the Edge Bar in the Microsoft Edge browser for Windows 10 and 11. Designed to offer convenience and seamless access, the Edge Bar serves as a quick gateway to the expansive world of the internet. To unlock this feature’s full potential, it’s essential to activate the Edge Bar on your PC. Once activated, this tool transforms the Microsoft Edge into the preferred browser on Windows 11 or 10, conveniently situating it on the right sidebar as a widget. This integration grants users the ability to search the internet, check emails, view weather updates, read news, and more, all from the sidebar. Moreover, the default positioning on the right can be easily customized to suit individual preferences, allowing the floating widget to be relocated as desired. In addition, the Edge Bar’s adaptability extends to its menu customization. Users can effortlessly bookmark their frequently visited websites, enabling one-click access whenever needed. With such features at your disposal, enabling and using the Edge Bar becomes a game-changer in the realm of browsing.
How to Enable and Use Edge Bar in Edge browser?
To turn on and use the Edge bar, use these steps:-
Step 1. Open the Microsoft Edge browser on your Windows 11 or 10 system.
Step 2. Then, click on the three-dotted menu (Settings and more) and choose Settings in the drop-down menu. Alternatively, press the Alt + F keyboard shortcut and select Settings in the menu.
Step 3. When Edge Settings appear on the screen, click the Edge bar in the left side pane.
Step 4. On the right side of the “Edge bar,” enable the toggle switch “Automatically open Edge bar when the computer starts” under the “Edge bar” section.
Step 5. At last, restart your computer to see the Edge bar.
Once you complete the above steps, the Edge bar will automatically open each time you start your computer.
If you want to open the Edge bar manually, open the Edge browser, click on the three-dotted menu (Settings and more), and choose Settings in the drop-down menu.
Select the Edge bar in the left sidebar and click on the Open Edge bar tile to open the Edge bar instantly.
On the left sidebar of the Edge bar, you will find several essential icons such as MSN, Bing, Outlook, and Linkedin. You can add more shortcuts by clicking the + icon and setting URLs.
On the right sidebar of the Edge bar, you can find a search bar, current weather, news, stock details, and more.
If you want to customize the Widgets, click the three vertical dots (Settings and more) and select the Settings option.
Then, click the Personalize button beside the “Personalize your Edge bar feed” option. Now, you can find all the topics you can include or exclude from the Edge bar.
How to Permanently Disable Edge Bar in Edge browser on Windows 11 or 10?
If you don’t use the Edge bar and want to disable the Edge bar in Windows 11 or 10 permanently, use these steps:-
Step 1. Open Registry Editor.
Step 2. Then, browse or navigate to the following key in the left sidebar of Registry Editor:-
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft
Step 3. Next, right-click on the Microsoft folder and select New > Key.
Step 4. Name the newly created key Edge.
Step 5. Now, right-click on the Edge folder and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Step 6. Name the newly created REG_DWORD as WebWidgetAllowed.
Step 7. Finally, restart your computer to apply the changes.
Once you complete the above steps, “Open Edge bar,” “Automatically open Edge bar when the computer starts,” and related options will be greyed out on the Edge bar Settings page. Also, you will see a message that your organization manages your browser.
If you want to enable the Edge bar again, right-click on the WebWidgetAllowed REG_DWORD and select the Delete option. When prompted, click the Yes button. After that, restart your computer to enable the Edge bar options.
Conclusion
Microsoft’s Edge Bar in the Microsoft Edge browser is a powerful tool aimed at enriching the user’s browsing experience. With an intuitive interface, customizable positioning, and a myriad of features, the Edge Bar stands as a testament to Microsoft’s commitment to improving user convenience and adaptability. Whether you’re seeking rapid access to your favorite websites, weather updates, news, or other features, the Edge Bar is there to provide. Furthermore, for those who wish for a more streamlined experience, the option to disable it is available, ensuring users have full control over their browsing preferences.
