Microsoft introduced an update to its web browser, Edge 119, on November 3 through the Stable Channel, which brought new features like SplitScreen and an improved Sidebar app. However, some users have reported that the toggle for turning the sidebar on and off has disappeared, causing confusion and concern.
Previously, the “Always Show Sidebar” setting allowed users to enable or disable the sidebar by entering “edge://settings/sidebar” into the address bar. With version Edge 119, this toggle has been moved to Copilot’s settings. Copilot is Microsoft’s new AI-fuelled assistant that is integrated into Windows and various Microsoft products, including Edge.
While the option to turn the sidebar on and off still exists by enabling the “Show Copilot” setting, it also hides the “Auto-hide Sidebar” option. This change has sparked confusion and frustration among users who prefer to have control over the sidebar without using Copilot.
According to Microsoft, the sidebar setting is now tied to the presence of Copilot in Edge, leading to speculation that the company is trying to push users to engage with Copilot. Despite the change, users can still access the sidebar toggle through a roundabout method by navigating to “Settings > Sidebar > Copilot > Always Show Sidebar.” While there is still a way to control the sidebar, the change has raised questions about Microsoft’s intentions with the integration of Copilot.
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