Microsoft is still trying desperately to get you to use Bing

Bing
(Image credit: Shutterstock / Monticello)

If you haven’t used Bing lately, an upcoming update to Microsoft Edge will bring the software giant’s search engine front and center in a brand new Sidebar menu.

According to Windows Latest, Edge’s new Sidebar menu has begun rolling out to users in the browser’s Canary channel and in addition to Bing, it also allows you to use a calculator, read emails in Outlook, check out MSN browser games and more without leaving the current page you’re on.

While you can send emails, use a calculator, convert a variety of units and even test your internet speed in Edge’s Sidebar menu, it’s worth noting that you can not play games in it as they will open in a new tab. This is also the case with Microsoft Office apps like Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Vivaldi users will be instantly familiar with Edge’s new Sidebar menu as it functions in a similar way to the browser’s web panel. Both are quite useful when you need to do a quick task but don’t want to open a new tab or a separate window.

New Sidebar menu

Besides all of the other new features in Edge’s Sidebar menu, Microsoft has also added another option that allows you to add your favorite sites so that you can perform contextual actions without interrupting your workflow.

As the Sidebar is not yet generally available, many sites aren’t optimized to work in its smaller screen space. This will likely change though once more Edge users begin using this feature.

For those that aren’t interested in using Edge’s Sidebar, you can disable it by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+/. Likewise, you can use this same keyboard shortcut to enable the Sidebar.

If you want to try out Edge’s Sidebar for yourself, you’ll need to be running Edge Canary and from here, you can find a new ‘Sidebar’ option in the browser’s menu that allows you to launch it.

Via Window's Latest

Anthony Spadafora

After working with the TechRadar Pro team for the last several years, Anthony is now the security and networking editor at Tom’s Guide where he covers everything from data breaches and ransomware gangs to the best way to cover your whole home or business with Wi-Fi. When not writing, you can find him tinkering with PCs and game consoles, managing cables and upgrading his smart home. 

Read more
Bing
Google fires back as Microsoft is accused of 'tricking' people into using Bing
Woman using a Windows computer with Microsoft Edge
Don’t panic – Microsoft’s Edge browser isn’t about to subject you to a flood of unblocked adverts (not yet, anyway)
Frustrated unhappy laptop user girl touching head at work table with computer
Windows 11’s Start menu recommendations are being improved – but I’m still not impressed, Microsoft
The Microsoft Edge logo on a black background displayed on a laptop screen.
Microsoft just gave Edge a great new feature to ensure the browser doesn’t slow down the PC, and it’s tempting me to switch from Google Chrome
Google Chrome with Christmas theme in Windows 11
I've used Edge, Firefox, and Opera, and yet after ten years in tech journalism, I still come back to Chrome
Woman using a Windows computer with Microsoft Edge
Microsoft gets rid of ‘Edge uninstall’ advice page after facing criticism over it having nothing to do with removing the app, and just promoting the browser instead
Latest in Software & Services
A man sitting at his desk in the evening and using a desktop computer
Office 2021 vs Office 2024: is it time to upgrade?
Microsoft 365 Business app logos
Office 2024 LTSC vs Microsoft 365 Business: what are the differences?
Windows 11 Start menu layout choices: Grid view
Windows 11 vs Linux for business: which operating system should you embrace?
A phone sitting on a laptop keyboard with the Microsoft Outlook logo on the screen.
Gmail vs Outlook for business: which email system is right for your organization?
Windows 11 logo
Windows 11 Pro vs Windows 11 Home: which version is right for you?
Canva HubSpot
HubSpot and Canva team up to level the creative playing field
Latest in News
GTA 5
GTA Online publisher Take-Two is gunning for a black market that’s basically heaven for cheaters
The Discovery+ homepage
Discovery+ just got a big update to its streaming app that makes it more like Max – here are 5 great new features to try
Two Android phones on a green and blue background showing Google Messages
Struggling with slow Google Messages photo transfers? Google says new update will make 'noticeable difference'
China
Chinese hackers targeting Juniper Networks routers, so patch now
Google Meet create custom backgrounds
More AI features are coming to Google Workspace
Elayne, Egwene, and Nynaeve dressed regally and on horseback in The Wheel of Time season 3
'There's a reason why we do it': The Wheel of Time showrunner responds to fans who are still upset over the Prime Video show's plot alterations