Browsers and Mail Enable or Disable Automatically Open Microsoft Edge Bar at Windows Startup


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Microsoft_Edge_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable running the Edge bar at startup for your account or all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

The Microsoft Edge web browser is based on Chromium and was released on January 15, 2020. It is compatible with all supported versions of Windows, and macOS. With speed, performance, best in class compatibility for websites and extensions, and built-in privacy and security features, it's the only browser you'll ever need.

The Edge bar (formally named "Web widget") is a feature of Microsoft Edge that lets you search and browse the web, see news headlines, check the weather, and more without opening a full browser window.

You can switch between a vertical or search only layout for the Edge bar. Then move and resize the Edge bar as you desire.

You can quickly adjust the content you see in Edge bar by clicking on the tab (icon) for your desired topic. By default, Edge bar includes tabs for your feed from MSN, Microsoft Bing, Outlook, and LinkedIn. You can add your own tabs on the side of the Edge bar that open the URL you want.

If you open the Edge bar, it will remain open even if you close Microsoft Edge.

You can use the WebWidgetIsEnabledOnStartup policy to enable or disable automatically running the Edge bar at Windows startup for all users.


Contents

  • Option One: Turn On or Off Open Edge Bar at Startup for Current User in Microsoft Edge Settings
  • Option Two: Enable or Disable Open Edge Bar at Startup for All Users using REG file


EXAMPLE: Edge bar in vertical layout and search only layout

Edge_Bar_vertical_layout.jpg
Edge_Bar_search_only_layout.jpg





Option One

Turn On or Off Open Edge Bar at Startup for Current User in Microsoft Edge Settings


1 Open Microsoft Edge.

2 Click/tap on the Settings and more (Alt+F) 3 dots button, and click/tap on Settings. (see screenshot below)

Edge_Bar_Settings-1.jpg

3 Turn On or Off (default) Automatically open Edge bar when the computer starts for what you want. (see screenshot below)

Edge_Bar_Settings-2.png

4 You can now close the Settings tab or Microsoft Edge if you like.




Option Two

Enable or Disable Open Edge Bar at Startup for All Users using REG file


You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.

This option uses the WebWidgetIsEnabledOnStartup policy for Microsoft Edge.


DEPRECATED: This policy is deprecated. It is currently supported but will become obsolete in a future release.


1 Do step 2 (always enable), step 3 (disable), or step 4 (default) below for what you would like to do.

2 Always Enable Open Edge Bar at Startup for All Users

This will prevent using Option One.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.​

Always_Enable_open_Microsoft_Edge_bar_at_startup_for_all_users.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge]
"WebWidgetIsEnabledOnStartup"=dword:00000001

3 Disable Open Edge Bar at Startup for All Users

This will prevent using Option One.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.​

Disable_open_Microsoft_Edge_bar_at_startup_for_all_users.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge]
"WebWidgetIsEnabledOnStartup"=dword:00000000

4 Default User Choice to Open Edge Bar at Startup

This is the default setting.

This will allow using Option One.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.​

Default_user_choice_open_Microsoft_Edge_bar_at_startup.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge]
"WebWidgetIsEnabledOnStartup"=-

5 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

6 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

7 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

8 If Microsoft Edge is currently open, then close and reopen Microsoft Edge to apply.

9 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


 

Attachments

  • microsoft_edge_chromium.png
    microsoft_edge_chromium.png
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  • Always_Enable_open_Microsoft_Edge_bar_at_startup_for_all_users.reg
    658 bytes · Views: 239
  • Default_user_choice_open_Microsoft_Edge_bar_at_startup.reg
    632 bytes · Views: 212
  • Disable_open_Microsoft_Edge_bar_at_startup_for_all_users.reg
    658 bytes · Views: 244
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