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How to Enable or Disable Favorites bar in Microsoft Edge

Richard
Written by
Richard
May 31, 2026 3 min read
Verified for Geek Rewind — This guide was last tested and updated in May 2026.

You enable or disable the Favorites bar in Microsoft Edge by adjusting a setting within the browser’s Appearance menu.

The Favorites bar, also known as the bookmarks bar, lets you quickly access your most-visited websites directly from the top of your browser window. You can choose to have it always visible, hidden completely, or displayed only on new tabs.

This tutorial shows you exactly how to find and change this setting within Microsoft Edge, typically accessed via the “Settings and more” menu (the three dots icon) and then navigating to Appearance.

Step 1Find the Settings Menu

First, you’ll need to open Edge’s settings. Consider this the control center for your browser, where you can tweak things to improve your browsing experience.

  1. Open Microsoft Edge. You’ll see the browser window.
  2. Look at the top right corner of the browser window. Find the button that looks like three little dots. This is the “Settings and more” button. Click it!
  3. A menu will appear. In this menu, you’ll see an option called “Settings”. Click on that.
micrsoft edge browser more option and settings
micrsoft edge browser more option and settings

Step 2Go to Appearance Settings

Now that you’re in the main settings area, find the section that controls how your browser looks. This is where we’ll tell Edge whether to show your Favorites bar.

  1. Once you’re on the main Settings page, look at the left side of the window. You’ll see a list of categories. Find the one called “Appearance”. Click it.
microsoft edge settings appearance
microsoft edge settings appearance

Step 3Change Your Toolbar Settings

This is where the change happens! In the Appearance section, you’ll find the controls for your toolbar, including the Favorites bar.

  1. Scroll down in the Appearance settings until you see a section called “Other appearance settings”. It might be a bit further down, so keep scrolling.
  2. Under “Other appearance settings,” find the option for “Toolbar”. Next to it, there’s a dropdown menu labeled “Favorites”. This is what we need!
  3. Click on the “Favorites” dropdown menu. You’ll see three options:
    • Always: Choose this if you want your Favorites bar to show all the time, on any page. Click this to turn it on for good.
  4. Never: This will hide your Favorites bar completely. If you like a cleaner look and don’t use your favorites much, pick this.
  5. Only on new tabs: This is a good middle option. Your Favorites bar will only appear when you open a new tab. It keeps your main browsing windows tidy but still gives you quick access when you need it.
Microsoft Edge Favorites bar settings for enabling or disabling.

Step 4Check Your Favorites Bar

You’ve made your choice! Now, let’s see if it worked.

  1. Close the Settings tab or window. You should be back to your normal Edge browsing window.
  2. Look at the top of your browser window, just below the address bar. If you chose “Always” or “Only on new tabs,” you should now see your Favorites bar! If you chose “Never,” it will stay hidden.

Reference:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/see-your-favorites-bar-in-microsoft-edge-566736f8-a11d-52e2-4f6f-7a713e1750d2

Summary

Why do this? This process lets you control whether your Microsoft Edge Favorites bar is visible or hidden. This helps you quickly access your most-used websites or keep your browser window cleaner.

What happens when done? After following these steps, your Favorites bar will appear, disappear, or show only on new tabs, depending on your choice. This makes your browsing experience more personalized and efficient.

Microsoft Edge Appearance settings showing Favorites bar options.

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Richard

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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