Customize Microsoft Edge: Show or Hide the Sidebar Button
The Microsoft Edge sidebar button puts quick tools like Copilot and Collections next to your web pages. Version 117 and later builds of the browser include this shortcut by default on the right side of the screen.
Turning off the sidebar button gives you a cleaner browser window and more screen space for web pages. Keeping the button visible lets you open tools instantly without digging through menus.
The Microsoft Edge sidebar button appears on the right side of your browser. To show or hide it, open Microsoft Edge, click the Settings and more button (…) in the top-right corner, select Settings, click Sidebar in the left panel, find Show sidebar button under Customize Sidebar, and flip the switch to On or Off.
Show or hide the sidebar button on the toolbar in Edge
You can show or hide the sidebar button with one switch in Edge settings. Hiding it removes the quick access icon and clears away extra clutter. The setting works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. It is a browser setting, not a Windows one.
Here’s how.
- Open Microsoft Edge and click the Settings and more button, the ellipsis icon (…) in the top-right corner. A drop-down menu opens.
- Choose Settings. The Settings page opens in a new tab.
- Click Sidebar in the left panel. If you don’t see the left panel, widen the window. On a narrow window Edge may hide it behind a menu icon at the top left of the page.
The Sidebar settings page should now be open, with a Customize Sidebar section on it.
- Find Show sidebar button under Customize Sidebar.
- To show the button, flip the switch to On.
- To hide the button, flip the switch to Off.
If you can’t find it, turn off the Copilot button first, then come back to this page.
Only your administrator can change it.
Your changes should apply immediately. Look at the right side of the window. The sidebar button should appear or disappear as soon as you flip the switch. To undo the change, flip the switch back.
If the button doesn't change, exit and restart Microsoft Edge. Close every Edge window, then open the browser again and check the toolbar.
If this didn't work, make sure you are running Microsoft Edge version 117 or later. Older builds lack these specific sidebar toggle controls. To check, go to Settings and more > Settings About Microsoft Edge. Edge shows the current version there and downloads any available update.
- The tutorial provides clear, step-by-step instructions for showing or hiding the sidebar toolbar button in Microsoft Edge.
- Users can customize their browsing experience based on personal preferences and usage patterns.
- Comments and feedback are welcome to improve the content and address potential errors.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
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