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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallYou can customize Microsoft Edge’s toolbar from built-in Settings—no add-on, utility, or physical accessory is required. Open Settings and more (…) > Settings, then use Appearance for toolbar layout and display controls. The Favorites bar, Home button, and Extensions controls each have a slightly different location, so the fastest route depends on what you want to change.
Edge’s labels and available controls can vary by version because visual updates roll out over time. If your screen does not match the paths below, use the wording visible in your installed Edge version and check the current Appearance settings.
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What you can customize in the Edge toolbar
“Toolbar buttons” can mean several different controls in Edge. Separating them first prevents you from searching in the wrong settings page.
| Control | Where to configure it | What the setting changes |
|---|---|---|
| Toolbar layout and available appearance options | Settings and more (…) > Settings > Appearance | Controls exposed by your Edge release for the browser’s toolbar presentation. The exact choices can differ by version. |
| Favorites bar | Appearance > Toolbar | Whether the bar is shown all the time, hidden, or shown only on new-tab pages. |
| Home button | Start, home, and new tab page | Whether Home appears on the toolbar and whether it opens the new-tab page or a URL you enter. |
| Extension controls | Extensions control beside the address bar, or Settings and more (…) > Extensions | Lets you manage installed extensions, turn an extension off, or remove it. |
These are separate controls. For example, changing the Favorites bar does not enable the Home button, and removing an extension is different from merely hiding its icon.
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Open Edge’s toolbar settings
- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Select Settings and more (…) in the upper-right corner.
- Choose Settings.
- Select Appearance in the Settings sidebar.
Microsoft describes this page as the place for appearance choices such as toolbar layout and buttons. Because Edge can receive interface changes gradually, you may see a different arrangement or fewer individual controls than another computer. Do not assume that a button mentioned in an older guide must have a matching toggle in your release; use the labels that are actually displayed.
If the Appearance page looks different
First, read the headings and search within Settings for terms such as toolbar, button, or Favorites bar. Then check the Edge version installed on that device and install any offered browser update. A managed work or school computer may also present a different set of controls. The important distinction is that the configuration is still handled inside Edge Settings rather than through a separate utility.
Show, hide, or limit the Favorites bar
The Favorites bar is the strip where saved favorites can appear beneath the address bar. Edge provides three display modes.
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- Open Settings and more (…) > Settings.
- Select Appearance.
- Scroll to the Toolbar section.
- Find Favorites bar and choose Always, Never, or Only on new tabs.
| Choice | What you see | Best fit | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Always | The Favorites bar remains visible while you browse ordinary pages. | You open saved sites repeatedly and want one-click access. | It uses vertical space on every page. |
| Only on new tabs | The bar appears on a new-tab page but is not kept on ordinary web pages. | You want quick access when starting a browsing session without permanent clutter. | You cannot rely on the bar while reading or working on another page. |
| Never | The Favorites bar is removed from view. | You rarely use saved links or want the maximum page area. | Favorites remain saved, but the bar is not available as a visible shortcut. |
These options change visibility, not the favorites themselves. Selecting Never does not delete saved pages; it only removes the bar from the toolbar. You can switch modes later from the same Appearance section.
Choosing a mode by workflow
Choose Always when your saved links function like a daily work panel—for example, several sites you open throughout the day. Choose Only on new tabs when you want a clean reading area but still use favorites to begin a session. Choose Never when you normally reach saved pages through another method and the extra row is not useful.
Enable and configure the Home button
The Home button is configured separately from the Favorites bar. It can open either Edge’s new-tab page or a URL that you specify.
- Open Settings and more (…) > Settings.
- Open Start, home, and new tab page.
- Turn on Show home button on the toolbar.
- Choose whether Home opens the new tab page or an entered URL.
- If you choose a URL, enter the complete address in the field provided and save or apply it if Edge displays a confirmation control.
| Home destination | Result when you select Home | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| New tab page | Edge opens its configured new-tab experience. | You want a neutral starting page and do not need a fixed site. |
| Entered URL | Edge opens the web address you supplied. | You routinely begin at a particular site or internal page. |
The Home button setting affects the button’s presence and destination. It does not determine what page appears when Edge starts or when a new tab is opened; those are related choices on the same broader settings area but are not interchangeable.
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Return to Start, home, and new tab page and verify that Show home button on the toolbar is still enabled. If the setting is present but the visual layout differs, inspect Appearance for toolbar-related controls and check whether Edge has recently changed its interface. A version mismatch can make an older screenshot look unlike your current browser.
Find and manage extension controls
Extension icons are handled differently from built-in buttons. In Microsoft’s documented interface, the Extensions entry is located to the right of the address bar. Selecting it opens the extension controls for installed add-ons.
Open the Extensions panel
- Look to the right of the address bar for Extensions.
- Select it to view installed extensions and available management actions.
- If the entry is not visible, open Settings and more (…) > Extensions.
The second route is the reliable fallback when the icon is not displayed in your current toolbar arrangement.
Turn an extension off without removing it
- Open Settings and more (…) > Extensions.
- Select Manage extensions.
- Find the extension you want to pause.
- Switch its control off.
Turning an extension off leaves it installed so you can enable it again later. This is useful when diagnosing a conflict or temporarily reducing toolbar activity without losing the extension’s settings.
Remove an extension permanently
- Open Settings and more (…) > Extensions.
- Locate the extension in the management view.
- Open its context menu or More actions.
- Select Remove from Microsoft Edge.
- Confirm the removal when Edge asks.
Removal is different from hiding an icon or turning an extension off: the extension is no longer installed in Edge after confirmation. If you might need it again, disable it instead of removing it.
Why an extension icon may seem to disappear
- The extension may still be installed but available through the Extensions entry rather than displayed as a separate toolbar icon.
- Your Edge version may use a different toolbar arrangement.
- The extension may be turned off in Manage extensions.
- The extension may have been removed, in which case it will no longer appear in the installed list.
Check Settings and more (…) > Extensions before reinstalling anything. That page tells you whether the add-on is installed and whether it is enabled.
Use Appearance without assuming every button has a toggle
The Appearance page is the correct starting point for toolbar layout and button-related options, but Edge does not guarantee an identical collection of switches across all versions. Microsoft’s visual-change guidance specifically notes that options can vary by release. This matters when following a screenshot from another computer: a missing switch may reflect a version difference rather than a malfunction.
When you open Appearance, work from the controls your release exposes. If a setting is described as a toolbar option, read its current label carefully before changing it. Make one change at a time and look at the browser chrome immediately afterward; that makes it clear which control affected the layout.
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For a repeatable setup, note three choices: the Favorites bar mode, whether the Home button is shown, and the Home destination. Record any extension you intentionally leave enabled or disabled. If Edge is reset or you move to another profile, these notes let you recreate the layout without guessing which setting you changed.
Practical toolbar layouts
The following combinations use only the documented controls but suit different browsing habits.
| Goal | Favorites bar | Home button | Extension approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast access to many saved work sites | Always | Show it if you regularly return to a chosen starting page. | Keep frequently used extensions available; manage the rest from Extensions. |
| Clean reading and research view | Only on new tabs or Never | Show it only if the Home destination saves a repeated navigation step. | Turn off extensions you do not need while troubleshooting page behavior. |
| Minimal browser chrome | Never | Leave Home off unless it has a specific purpose. | Remove extensions you no longer use; disable those you may need later. |
| One fixed starting site | Choose based on whether saved links need to remain visible. | Show it and choose an entered URL. | Use the Extensions page to keep only the add-ons required for that workflow. |
These are workflow examples, not additional Edge modes. The actual choices remain the settings listed earlier.
Cost, requirements, and reversibility
There is no separate purchase requirement for these changes. The documented procedures use Edge’s own Settings pages, so you do not need a physical accessory, paid utility, or additional toolbar product. You only need access to the Edge installation and permission to change its settings.
Most choices are reversible. You can change the Favorites bar from one display mode to another, turn Home off after enabling it, change Home’s destination, or switch an extension back on after disabling it. Removing an extension is the least reversible choice in this workflow because it uninstalls the add-on; use Manage extensions and turn it off instead when you may want its configuration later.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Looking for Home under Favorites: Home has its own section, Start, home, and new tab page.
- Assuming hidden means deleted: Never hides the Favorites bar but does not delete saved favorites.
- Reinstalling a missing extension immediately: Check Settings and more (…) > Extensions first; it may simply be disabled or surfaced through the Extensions entry.
- Following an old screenshot literally: Edge’s visual updates can change labels, placement, and the number of available controls.
- Removing an extension to solve a temporary problem: Disable it first if you may need it again.
- Confusing Home with startup behavior: The Home button’s destination is separate from the page Edge opens at startup or for a new tab.
Troubleshoot a toolbar that does not match the instructions
You cannot find Appearance
Open the three-dot Settings and more menu and choose Settings directly rather than relying on a shortcut or an old screenshot. The Settings sidebar should include an appearance-related section, although its position and wording can change. If Edge offers a settings search field, search for Appearance or toolbar.
The Favorites bar choices are missing
Make sure you are in Appearance and then in the Toolbar section. The documented Favorites bar choices are Always, Never, and Only on new tabs. If your release presents a different label or does not expose the control, check the browser version and current Microsoft guidance rather than forcing an older procedure.
The Home toggle is not where expected
Home is not configured in the Favorites bar section. Go to Start, home, and new tab page and look for Show home button on the toolbar. From there, verify both the visibility switch and the selected destination.
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The Extensions entry is absent
Use Settings and more (…) > Extensions. If the page opens, the extensions feature is available even if its toolbar entry is not currently visible. From the management view, you can determine whether a particular extension is installed, enabled, disabled, or removed.
A guide’s screenshot does not resemble your Edge window
Edge visual updates can roll out gradually, so two installations can show different layouts at the same time. Check the installed version, apply an available update, and then repeat the procedure using the labels in your own Settings page. Avoid treating a screenshot as proof that every button must exist in every release.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Quick verification checklist
- For general toolbar controls, you opened Settings and more (…) > Settings > Appearance.
- For the Favorites bar, you used Appearance > Toolbar and selected Always, Never, or Only on new tabs.
- For Home, you used Start, home, and new tab page, enabled Show home button on the toolbar, and selected a destination.
- For extensions, you checked the entry beside the address bar or opened Settings and more (…) > Extensions.
- Before removing an extension, you decided whether turning it off would meet your goal.
- If a control was missing, you checked Edge’s version and current labels instead of relying on an older screenshot.
Once these distinctions are clear, nearly every common Edge toolbar request—showing or hiding Favorites, adding Home, or managing extension controls—can be completed from the browser’s own Settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I customize Microsoft Edge toolbar buttons?
Open Settings and more (…) > Settings > Appearance. Review the toolbar and button controls shown in your Edge version. Individual options can vary as interface updates roll out.
How do I show or hide the Favorites bar?
Go to Settings and more (…) > Settings > Appearance > Toolbar. Under Favorites bar, choose Always, Never, or Only on new tabs. These choices change visibility, not your saved favorites.
How do I add the Home button to Edge?
Open Settings and more (…) > Settings > Start, home, and new tab page. Turn on Show home button on the toolbar, then choose the new-tab page or enter a URL.
Where did my Edge Extensions button go?
Look to the right of the address bar for Extensions. If it is not visible, open Settings and more (…) > Extensions to reach the same management area.
Can I hide an extension without uninstalling it?
Yes. Open Settings and more (…) > Extensions, select Manage extensions, find the add-on, and switch it off. It remains installed and can be enabled again.
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Open Settings and more (…) > Extensions, locate the extension, open its context menu or More actions, choose Remove from Microsoft Edge, and confirm.
Why do Edge toolbar instructions look different on my computer?
Microsoft rolls out visual changes over time, and available controls can differ by Edge version. Check your installed version, update Edge if an update is offered, and follow the labels visible in your current Settings pages.
Does hiding the Favorites bar delete my favorites?
No. Choosing Never only removes the visible bar. Your saved favorites remain available through Edge’s favorites features and can be shown again by selecting another display mode.
The Bottom Line
Use Appearance for general toolbar controls and the Favorites bar, Start, home, and new tab page for Home, and Extensions for add-on controls. Choose the display mode or action that fits your workflow, and remember that labels and available buttons may differ by Edge version.
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