Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Microsoft Edge separates two tasks that are often confused: saving a webpage as a favorite and displaying the Favorites bar. You can add or remove individual links without deleting the website, show or hide the entire bar from Edge settings, or enforce its visibility on managed Windows devices with the supported FavoritesBarEnabled policy.
For personal use, Edge settings are the simplest option. For enterprise enforcement, use the policy location HKLMSOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftEdge and verify the result at edge://policy.
What is the Microsoft Edge Favorites bar?
The Favorites bar is the toolbar below Edge’s address bar. It provides quick access to saved webpages and favorite folders.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →It is different from the full Favorites page or Favorites menu. Hiding the bar does not delete saved favorites. A favorite can also exist in another folder without appearing on the bar.
#1 Best Overall
- 14" diagonal, 1366x768 resolution, HD BrightView LED, Glossy NON-TOUCH Display
Add a webpage to the Favorites bar
- Open Microsoft Edge and go to the webpage you want to save.
- Select the Add this page to favorites button in the address bar, or press
Ctrl + D. - Change the name if necessary.
- Set the destination folder to Favorites bar.
- Select Done.
Microsoft’s documented method is described in Microsoft Edge’s Favorites instructions.
Add all open tabs
To save multiple open pages, select Settings and more (…) → Favorites → More options, then choose Add open pages to favorites. Select the Favorites bar folder if you want the links to appear there.
Move an existing favorite to the bar
Open the Favorites menu or Favorites management page, locate the saved webpage, and drag or move it into the Favorites bar folder. If the bar is hidden, you may need to show it before the shortcut becomes visible.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteRemove a webpage from the Favorites bar
You have two different removal choices:
- Delete the shortcut: Right-click the favorite on the bar and select Delete or the equivalent removal command. This removes the saved favorite entry, not the website.
- Keep the favorite but remove it from the bar: Move it from the Favorites bar folder to another Favorites folder.
To hide the entire toolbar without deleting any favorites, set the Favorites bar option to Never in Edge settings.
Rank #2
- 1.1 GHz (boost up to 2.4GHz) Intel Celeron N5030 Quad-Core
- 4GB DDR4 System Memory; 128GB Solid State Drive
- 11.6" HD (1366 x 768) Multi-Touch Display
- Combo headphone/microphone jack - Noble Wedge Lock slot - HDMI; 2 USB 3.1 Gen 1
- Windows 11 Pro
Show or hide the Favorites bar in Edge settings
- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Select Settings and more (…).
- Select Settings.
- Open Appearance.
- Under Other appearance settings, find Toolbar.
- Open Favorites bar.
- Choose Always, Never, or Only on new tabs.
Always displays the bar on all tabs. Never hides it. Only on new tabs displays it on new-tab pages. Older Edge guides may call this control Show favorites bar.
Ctrl + Shift + B commonly toggles the bar, but the settings path is the more reliable method because keyboard behavior and menu labels can vary by Edge version and environment. See Microsoft’s Favorites bar visibility instructions.
Choose the right method
| Requirement | Use this method |
|---|---|
| Change the setting for yourself | Edge Settings → Appearance |
| Enforce the setting on Windows devices | FavoritesBarEnabled mandatory policy |
| Set a default while allowing users to change it | FavoritesBarEnabled recommended policy |
| Deploy a fixed collection of company links | ManagedFavorites |
Configure the Favorites bar with Windows Registry policy
For supported Windows Edge policy deployment, Microsoft documents the following policy:
| Policy | FavoritesBarEnabled |
|---|---|
| Registry path | HKLMSOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftEdge |
| Value type | REG_DWORD |
| Data | 1 to show; 0 to hide |
The official policy path is under SoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftEdge. Do not confuse it with the ordinary browser preference path HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftEdge described in some third-party guides. A preference-style Registry value is not the same as Microsoft’s documented enterprise policy location.
Rank #3
- 256 GB SSD of storage.
- Multitasking is easy with 16GB of RAM
- Equipped with a blazing fast Core i5 2.00 GHz processor.
Force the Favorites bar on
Open an elevated Command Prompt and run:
reg add "HKLMSOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftEdge" ^
/v FavoritesBarEnabled ^
/t REG_DWORD ^
/d 1 ^
/fForce the Favorites bar off
reg add "HKLMSOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftEdge" ^
/v FavoritesBarEnabled ^
/t REG_DWORD ^
/d 0 ^
/fWriting under HKLM normally requires administrator rights. Existing Active Directory Group Policy, Intune configuration, the Edge management service, configuration baselines, or scripts may overwrite a manual Registry change. Identify the controlling management source before editing a managed device.
The policy is documented for Edge 77 and later on Windows and macOS, although the Registry commands in this guide apply to Windows. Microsoft’s policy documentation also states that this policy does not apply to a profile signed in with a Microsoft account, so verify the behavior in the affected profile.
Configure the policy with Group Policy
- Install Microsoft’s Microsoft Edge administrative templates.
- Open Local Group Policy Editor or the domain Group Policy Management Console.
- Go to Computer Configuration → Policies → Administrative Templates → Microsoft Edge.
- Configure Enable favorites bar.
- Apply the policy and refresh Group Policy.
Run the following command on a Windows device when an immediate refresh is required:
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesgpupdate /forceA mandatory policy overrides the user’s Edge setting. A recommended policy establishes a default that the user can change. Microsoft’s Edge configuration guidance explains these policy types and deployment methods.
Rank #4
- EFFORTLESS EVERYDAY PERFORMANCE: Powered by Intel Celeron N4020 processor and Windows 11 Home system, delivering reliable, low-power efficiency for daily tasks like document editing, email, online classes, and web browsing
- 15.6-INCH FULL HD DISPLAY: Enjoy immersive visuals on the 15.6" FHD (1920x1080) anti-glare screen with micro-edge bezels. Delivers clear details and comfortable viewing for long study sessions, working on spreadsheets, and video playback
- RESPONSIVE MULTITASKING & STORAGE: Built with 4GB LPDDR4 RAM and 128GB eMMC storage for smooth daily essential use. Expand your storage by up to 1TB via the integrated TF card slot to easily store movies, photos, and working files
- ADVANCED CONNECTIVITY: Outfitted with 2x Full-Featured Type-C ports for data transfer, fast charging, and dual-monitor output, alongside 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 ports and a 3.5mm audio jack for complete peripheral compatibility
- LIGHTWEIGHT & SILENT OPERATION: Slim and portable for effortless travel or commuting. Features a 1MP HD webcam for remote meetings, 38Wh battery with 45W Type-C fast charging, and a fanless silent design for peaceful work environments.
Verify the policy in Edge
- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Enter
edge://policyin the address bar. - Select Reload policies, if the button is available.
- Find
FavoritesBarEnabled. - Check the displayed value and policy source.
- Close and reopen Edge if the toolbar has not updated.
If the policy is missing, check the Registry path, value name, value type, permissions, and management source. If the policy appears but does not affect the expected profile, check the profile type and any documented policy limitations.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Remove the policy and restore user control
Before editing the Registry, export the relevant key or record the existing value. To remove only this policy from a machine-wide deployment, use an elevated Command Prompt:
reg delete "HKLMSOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftEdge" ^
/v FavoritesBarEnabled ^
/fThen reload policies at edge://policy and restart Edge if necessary. Assuming no other policy source configures the setting, removing the value returns the Favorites bar to an unmanaged state, allowing the user to control it from Edge settings.
Recommended Free Tools
Do not delete the entire MicrosoftEdge policy key during troubleshooting. It may contain unrelated enterprise settings.
Best Value
- WINDOWS 11 | STABLE PERFORMANCE: Powered by Intel Celeron N4020 processor and Windows 11 system, this laptop delivers stable performance for everyday computing tasks. It supports web browsing, online learning, document editing, email communication, and basic office work with optimized power efficiency, providing a practical and reliable experience for essential daily use for daily use.
- 15.6” FHD IPS DISPLAY: Features a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display with narrow bezels, offering wider viewing angles and clearer image details compared to standard panels. The improved screen-to-body ratio enhances visual experience for study, reading, document work, and video playback, making it suitable for both productivity and entertainment use.
- 4GB DDR4 + 128GB eMMC STORAGE: Equipped with 4GB DDR4 memory and 128GB eMMC storage for everyday basics such as browsing, documents, email, and online learning platforms. The built-in TF card slot supports storage expansion up to 1TB, giving you more flexibility for files, photos, videos, and daily documents. TF card not included.
- CONNECTIVITY & PORTS: Includes 1× TF card slot, 2× USB 3.2 Gen1 ports, and 2× full-featured Type-C ports (USB 3.2 Gen1). The Type-C ports support data transfer, charging, and video output, enabling flexible connection with external devices such as monitors, storage, and peripherals for daily work and study use.
- LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN | ONLINE COMMUNICATION: Designed with a slim, portable profile, this laptop is easy to carry for school, commuting, and travel. A built-in 1MP front camera supports online classes, video meetings, remote communication, and everyday conferencing. The 3300mAh battery works with the low-power system design to support practical daily use, while thermal optimization helps maintain quieter operation during extended tasks.
Favorites bar visibility versus managed favorites
FavoritesBarEnabled controls whether the bar is shown. It does not create links.
The separate ManagedFavorites policy deploys administrator-controlled links. A minimal policy structure can look like this:
[
{
"toplevel_name": "Company Favorites"
},
{
"name": "Company Portal",
"url": "https://example.com"
}
]Managed favorites are separate from a user’s personal favorites and are intended for centrally provided websites. Users generally cannot modify the managed entries, although the managed folder can still be hidden from the Favorites bar. Use ManagedFavorites when the requirement is to deploy links, and FavoritesBarEnabled when the requirement is to control visibility.
Troubleshooting common problems
| Problem | Likely explanation |
|---|---|
| The bar is visible but empty | The favorite may be in another folder, the Favorites bar folder may be empty, or the wrong profile may be active. |
| Hiding the bar removed my links | Hiding the bar does not delete favorites. Open the Favorites menu or management page to find them. |
| The Registry value has no effect | Check that it is under HKLMSOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftEdge, uses REG_DWORD, and appears at edge://policy. |
| The setting keeps changing back | Group Policy, Intune, the Edge management service, a baseline, or a script may be applying another value. |
| A managed folder is missing | The folder may be hidden from the Favorites bar even though its administrator-controlled entries still exist. |
For official policy details, see Microsoft’s FavoritesBarEnabled documentation.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
