For those unfamiliar, Google Chrome’s sidebar lets you add items to your reading list and bookmarks, and even access your search history and find images on your PC using Google Lens. However, it pales in comparison to Microsoft Edge’s sidebar, which contains some of the browser’s most exciting features. By default, you have access to a few shortcuts placed on the far right of the browser window. You can perform a quick web search in the sidebar without losing focus of your current tab.
A dedicated Tools tab contains useful utilities, such as a shortcut to run an internet speed test, perform calculations and conversions, test your typing speed, and translate sentences with ease – all of which you can rearrange or remove. For fans of arcade games, the sidebar is a good place to find some old classics like Cut The Rope or SuperCity. The Microsoft 365 tab lets you access your most recently used Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other documents, reminding you just how vast the ecosystem can be.
Our personal favorite is the Drop add-on, which makes sharing files and notes between devices easy. And as if the built-in sidebar apps weren’t enough, you can explore extensions by clicking the “+” icon and adding additional services to your list. If you use Microsoft Edge’s sidebar to its full potential, you may never look back once you switch.
