How to Enable or Disable Collections in Microsoft Edge
You can enable or disable the Collections feature in Microsoft Edge on Windows 11 to better manage your browsing experience.
Collections in Microsoft Edge is a built-in tool designed to help you gather, organize, and share content you find online, like web pages, images, and notes. Think of it as a digital scrapbook for your research or personal interests.
This feature allows you to save items directly from websites and group them into distinct collections, accessible from the sidebar. For instance, you might create a collection for a vacation plan or a research project.
If you find Collections isn’t something you use, disabling it can simplify your browser interface and potentially free up minor system resources.
Open Microsoft Edge settings, navigate to “Privacy, search, and security,” then “Search and connected experiences,” and toggle “Save content using Collections.” Restart the browser to apply.
Enable or disable Collections in Edge
As mentioned, users can enable or disable the “Collections” in Microsoft Edge.
Here’s how to do it.
First, open the Microsoft Edge browser.
Then click on Setting and more (Alt+F) 3 horizontal dots button on the top right corner and select Settings.
Select “Privacy, search, and security” on the Settings page on the left.
On the “Privacy, search, and services” page, click the “Search and connected experiences” tile to expand it.
Under the Search and connected experiences section, toggle the “Save content using Collections in Microsoft Edge” switch button to enable or disable it.
Restart Edge to apply your changes.
Enable or disable the Collections feature using the Windows Registry
Another way to enable or disable Edge’s “Collections” feature is to use Windows Registry Editor.
First, open the Windows Registry and navigate to the folder key path below.
Remember to back up your registry before making any changes or create a System Restore point as a precaution.
ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftEdge
Right-click Edge > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value and name the new DWORD EdgeCollectionsEnabled.
Double-click and open the EdgeCollectionsEnabled name and set the value to 0 to disable the “Collections” feature in Edge.
Delete the “EdgeCollectionsEnabled” name created above to restore the default behavior and allow collections in Edge.
EdgeCollectionsEnabled
You may have to reboot your computer to apply the changes.
That should do it!
Reference:
Conclusion:
Enabling or disabling the Collections feature in Microsoft Edge allows users to customize their browsing experience according to their needs. Here are the key takeaways:
- Organize Web Content: Collections make gathering and categorizing information from multiple sources easier.
- Improved Collaboration: Sharing saved collections can enhance teamwork and project discussions.
- Easy Management: Users can quickly revisit their saved content without navigating browser history.
- Customization Options: Users can enable or disable the feature to suit their preferences and streamline their browser interface.
- Registry Editor: For advanced users, the Windows Registry offers another method to toggle the Collections feature.
Following the outlined steps, you can easily manage the Collections feature in Microsoft Edge, allowing for a tailored browsing experience.
What is the difference between bookmarks and collections in Edge?
Bookmarks in most browsers only show the title of the website and its tab icon. Collections automatically give you large thumbnails as preview, which helps you better identify the contents of the site. After all, these are sites you saved for later and “haven't” actually read (Reference).
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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