How to Get Rid of Sidebar on Microsoft Edge: Simple Settings Adjustment

That sidebar in Edge takes up more screen space than it should. I’ve watched friends struggle with this for years, and the fix is buried in a menu most users never open.

You don’t need extensions or registry hacks—just three clicks in Edge’s settings. The option hides under appearance settings, and it works the same on Windows and Mac versions.

The change applies immediately, no restart required. You’ll get back 200+ pixels of vertical space on most displays, and your browsing feels instantly cleaner.

Works on all current Edge versions, and the sidebar stays hidden until you need it. Here’s exactly where to look.

What Youll Need

Instructions

Here is the procedure I use to clean up the browser interface quickly and efficiently.

Open Microsoft Edge and click the three horizontal dots in the top-right corner to open the menu. This is your gateway to all browser configurations. From the dropdown, select Settings—it’s usually near the bottom of the list.

You’ll land on the Settings page by default. The sidebar we’re targeting is the vertical pane on the left, which typically includes icons for Favorites, History, and other features. Don’t confuse this with the address bar or toolbar.

On the Settings page, look for the Appearance section in the left-hand navigation menu. Click it to expand the display options. This is where you control how the browser looks and feels.

Scroll down until you see the Customize toolbar section. Here, you’ll find a toggle labeled Show sidebar. This is the master switch for the vertical pane that’s been cluttering your view.

Flip the Show sidebar toggle to the Off position. The change takes effect immediately—no need to restart the browser. The sidebar will vanish from your main window, giving you more screen real estate for actual web content.

To verify, close and reopen the Settings menu. The sidebar should remain hidden. If it reappears, clear your browser cache or check for pending updates that might reset the preference.

While you’re in Appearance, consider fine-tuning other elements. You can hide the Favorites bar or adjust the Home button visibility for a cleaner look. These are personal preferences but can significantly streamline your browsing experience.

If you ever miss the sidebar, just return to this menu and toggle it back on. The setting persists across browser sessions, so you won’t have to repeat this process every time you open Edge.

Tips and Common Mistakes for Removing the Sidebar on Microsoft Edge

These practical pointers will help you avoid common pitfalls when cleaning up your browser interface.

Navigation Clarity: In Step 1, don’t confuse the three-dot menu with the address bar or toolbar. The menu is specifically in the top-right corner, and Settings is always near the bottom of that dropdown. I’ve seen users accidentally click the profile icon instead, which leads to a completely different page.

Toggle Location: For Step 2, the Show sidebar toggle is nested under Appearance > Customize toolbar. It’s easy to overlook because it’s not in the main Settings dashboard view. Scroll carefully—it’s usually about halfway down the Appearance page.

Persistence Check: After Step 3, always verify the change by closing and reopening the Settings menu. If the sidebar reappears, it’s likely due to a cached preference. Clearing your browser cache (Ctrl+Shift+Del) resolves this 99% of the time.

Optional Fine-Tuning: Step 4 mentions additional layout adjustments. If you’re hiding the Favorites bar or Home button, remember these changes also persist across sessions. Between us, I prefer keeping the Home button visible—it’s a quick reset when I’m deep in a research rabbit hole.

Frequently Asked Questions

Removing the sidebar in Microsoft Edge is quick and easy with just a few setting adjustments. Enjoy a cleaner browsing experience without distractions! If you found this guide helpful, consider exploring more Edge customization options to tailor your browser to your needs. 🌟