Microsoft wants to retire Edge’s Sidebar, but users are fighting back with a petition: “I am literally only on Edge for that very reason”
Microsoft is planning to retire the Sidebar feature in its Edge browser as part of a “simplification” effort. The company announced late last year that it would halt the addition of new apps to the Sidebar, with the quick access list set to be gradually removed in future updates. However, this decision has sparked significant backlash from users, who have organized a petition opposing the removal. Many users have expressed strong attachment to the Sidebar, with some stating that it is their primary reason for choosing Edge over competing browsers. Comments from the petition indicate that some users would have little incentive to continue using Edge without this functionality. Notably, Microsoft has clarified that Copilot will not be affected by the Sidebar’s retirement, suggesting that the company is prioritizing the integration of AI features over traditional sidebar functionality. The move reflects a broader industry trend of streamlining browser interfaces, though it remains unclear whether Microsoft will reconsider the decision in response to user feedback and the petition campaign.