Microsoft Edge Phasing Out Sidebar App List Amid Windows 11 Copilot Integration

Microsoft Edge is set to bid farewell to its ‘Sidebar app list’ feature, reallocating resources to enhance the integration of Copilot within the Windows 11 browser experience.

Following a recent update, when I opened Edge Canary and attempted to use the sidebar search functionality as I typically do, I encountered an unexpected obstacle. Instead of the expected results, a notification indicated the impending removal of the sidebar feature. This change is part of Microsoft’s initiative to streamline the Edge interface, sacrificing certain functionalities along the way.

For many users, the sidebar served as a convenient gateway to quick access web apps, including Bing.com. However, as per Microsoft’s notice, users will no longer be able to add new apps to this feature, which will begin its gradual phase-out in upcoming updates. Microsoft’s alert underscores that while the Sidebar app may be retiring, Copilot remains unaffected, indicating a shift in focus towards improving this powerful tool.

Interestingly, the same notification was not present in the stable version of Edge, suggesting that the update is currently rolling out to Canary testers as a first step.

Transitioning from the Sidebar to a Focus on Copilot

It doesn’t take a tech savant to deduce the underlying reason for this change. The decision to eliminate the sidebar is closely tied to the introduction of Copilot, which has now been integrated as a button within the Edge menu. For many, the sidebar offered a convenient alternative for specific tasks, which would likely undermine Copilot’s utilization—a situation that Microsoft seems eager to correct.

The Value of Edge’s Sidebar Functionality

For those unfamiliar with it, the Edge Sidebar was an invaluable tool for multitasking. It allowed users to keep essential applications, such as email and shopping tools, open alongside the primary browsing activity without disrupting their workflow. Users could access this feature without needing to sign into Edge, although some applications, like Outlook or Microsoft 365, did require a login.

Importantly, the sidebar was customizable; users could easily toggle its visibility in the settings (Settings > Appearance > “Show Sidebar”) and personalize the content by adding frequently visited sites.

Questioning Microsoft’s Simplification Strategy

As Microsoft claims that the removal of the sidebar aims to “simplify” the overall Edge experience, one must wonder why the focus isn’t placed on easing the distractions created by AI functionalities. With various Copilot features continually integrated into Edge, such as the AI-driven New Tab Page and search enhancements directly from the address bar, the question arises: are we truly achieving a simplified browsing experience?

Edge’s New Tab Page is already cluttered with a Copilot compose box, a Copilot-powered MSN feed in development, and a direct “Chat with Copilot” option conveniently positioned in the toolbar.

Moreover, the presence of Copilot persists even in moments of respite. Right-clicking within the browser surfaces an ‘Ask Copilot’ option, further embedding AI into the browsing experience.

While Microsoft seems committed to bolstering AI features within Edge, it raises the question of whether this approach aligns with their goal of simplifying the user interface. Despite the forthcoming removal of the Sidebar app list, Copilot remains firmly planted within Edge’s ecosystem, poised for enhancement.

Microsoft recently introduced the Copilot-powered “Journeys” feature, which summarizes web browsing history and provides relevant cards on the New Tab Page, further blending AI functionality into everyday tasks.

Personally, I will miss the convenience of the sidebar in Edge—how about you?

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