How to Customize Microsoft Edge Sidebar

Microsoft Edge’s sidebar is a handy tool for multitasking, quick access, and productivity. But if you’re using it as-is, you’re missing out. The sidebar is highly customizable, letting you tailor it for exactly what you need—work, school, or everyday browsing.

Here’s how to make the Edge sidebar work for you.

1. Accessing the Sidebar

First, open Microsoft Edge. By default, the sidebar is docked on the right side of your browser window. If you don’t see it, click the sidebar icon (a square with a vertical line) at the bottom-right corner or press Ctrl+Shift+/ (Windows).

2. Adding and Removing Tools

Edge comes with built-in sidebar tools: Search, Discover, Outlook, Office, Calculator, and more.

• To add or remove tools:
  1. Hover over the sidebar.
  2. Click the “+” (Customize sidebar) button at the bottom.
  3. Toggle tools on or off as you like. For example, turn on ‘Outlook’ for quick access to email, or ‘Tools’ for calculators and unit converters.

3. Adding Your Favorite Websites

You can pin any website to the sidebar for instant access.

• To add a website:
  1. Open the site you want.
  2. Right-click anywhere on the page.
  3. Select Add page to sidebar.

Now, that site shows up as an icon in your sidebar. Click it, and it opens in a sidebar pane—no tab switching required.

4. Rearranging or Removing Sidebar Items

• Rearrange: Click and drag sidebar icons to reorder them.
• Remove: Right-click any pinned website or tool, then select Remove from sidebar.

5. Personalize Sidebar Settings

• Click the three-dot menu (•••) at the bottom of the sidebar.
• Here you can:
  • Hide/show the sidebar on specific websites
  • Show sidebar on all pages or just new tabs
  • Choose whether the sidebar auto-hides

6. Quick Tips

• Collapse/Expand: Click the chevron arrow at the bottom to shrink or expand the sidebar.
• Switch Accounts: Some sidebar tools (like Outlook or Office) let you switch Microsoft accounts directly.
• Sidebar Apps: Some regions have extra sidebar features, like shopping tools or games. Check your region’s options for more.

Final Thoughts

Customizing the Edge sidebar turns a basic feature into a productivity powerhouse. Add the tools and sites you use daily. Remove the clutter. Make your browser fit your workflow, not the other way around.

Edge keeps adding new sidebar features, so revisit the options every so often to see what’s new.

Try it out and see how much smoother your browsing gets!

Need more Edge tips? Leave a comment or check out our other browser guides.

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!