Microsoft Edge Sidebar Missing After Latest Update

The latest Edge versions changed the default Sidebar behavior and it can also be controlled (or removed) by organization policies. Use the steps below to restore it and check for policy‑based removal.

1. Check if the Sidebar was turned off by the update (consumer scenario)
   • In recent versions (for example, 129.0.2792.65 and later), the Sidebar is turned OFF by default for inactive or new users.
   • Open Edge and go to Settings > Sidebar.
   • Turn the Sidebar ON again. This restores the Sidebar for the current profile.
2. Verify if an organization policy is blocking the Sidebar (work/school or managed device)
   • In Edge, go to edge://policy.
   • Look for the HubsSidebarEnabled policy:
     • If set to Disabled, the Sidebar and all Sidebar apps are blocked by policy. This also removes access to the Discover/Copilot app in the toolbar.
     • If set to Enabled, the Sidebar is allowed.
   • If HubsSidebarEnabled is Disabled, contact the IT administrator to change the policy if business requirements allow it.
3. Restore the Sidebar via Group Policy (for administrators)
   • Open Group Policy Editor on the device or domain controller.
   • Navigate to: Administrative Templates > Microsoft Edge > Show Hubs Sidebar.
   • Set Show Hubs Sidebar to Enabled to allow the Sidebar.
   • Close Edge and reopen it for the change to take effect.
4. Check if all Sidebar apps were blocked by policy
   • In Group Policy Editor, go to Administrative Templates > Microsoft Edge > Control which apps cannot be opened in Microsoft Edge sidebar.
   • If this policy is Enabled and the value list contains *, all Sidebar apps except Search are blocked. This can make the Sidebar appear effectively empty.
   • Remove or adjust the * entry if apps need to be available again.
5. If the Sidebar toggle is still missing in Settings
   • If edge://policy shows no blocking policies and the Sidebar still does not appear, confirm the Edge version at edge://settings/help and collect:
     • Active policies (edge://policy export)
     • Sidebar settings screenshot (edge://settings/appearance/copilotAndSidebar)
   • Provide these details to support so they can determine if the behavior is a bug in the specific build.

Summary:

• Recent Edge builds can turn the Sidebar off by default for some users; it can be turned back on in Settings > Sidebar.
• In managed environments, the HubsSidebarEnabled policy can fully remove the Sidebar; administrators must set it to Enabled to restore it.
• Additional policies such as EdgeSidebarAppUrlHostBlockList can block Sidebar apps even when the Sidebar itself is allowed.

References:

• Manage the sidebar in Microsoft Edge
• Archived release notes for Microsoft Edge Stable Channel