Microsoft is trying to reduce clutter in the Edge browser by moving some quick actions to a new optional right sidebar menu. This new sidebar will house features like Games Panel and Discover tab which were previously accessible via their own dedicated menus in the toolbar.
Microsoft Edge was originally released in 2020 and it has been updated with features like Vertical Tabs, Collections, and more. In an effort to get more users to switch from Chrome, Microsoft is now introducing a new sidebar which could be the perfect way to play games, monitor your internet connection and more.
Microsoft is testing the new right sidebar for the browser in its Canary development channel and it seems to be rolling out to select users only. The sidebar includes five quick actions or buttons: Discover, Microsoft Rewards, Internet Speed Test, Games, and Microsoft 365.
1 of 4
Discover is a new feature that will allow you to discover related websites and it could be based on the upcoming RSS feed. Based on early screenshots of the feature, it looks like Microsoft Edge’s Discover will be a new way of keeping track of other content published on the web.
The second quick action is Microsoft Rewards, which will allow users to track and manage their Rewards points. The third option launches Bing’s web-based tool to test your internet connection’s performance.
As mentioned at the outset, Microsoft Edge’s new sidebar will also house Games panel that will allow users to play MSN’s web-based games, such as Solitaire and Mahjong Arcade. It is worth noting that the Games panel will simply redirect you to MSN’s website and you’ll also be able to open the new panel from the browser’s primary menu.
Clicking on the games will launch MSN games in another tab and it won’t be possible to play games within the panel itself. Remember that the feature is being tested out in Edge Canary, so there’s a possibility that the Games panel will gain support for additional features in future.
Thankfully though, if you don’t like the idea of having a menu on the right side of the browser window, you can always disable the feature from the Appearance tab in Edge’s settings.
The post Microsoft Edge is getting a new sidebar menu on Windows appeared first on Windows Latest