How to Permanently Remove the Edge Bar in Windows 10

The “edge bar,” officially known as News and Interests, is a feature integrated into the Windows 10 taskbar that displays news headlines, weather forecasts, stock prices, sports scores, and more. While Microsoft intended it as a convenient way to stay informed, many users find it distracting, resource-intensive, or simply unwanted. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to permanently remove the Edge bar from your Windows 10 system, reclaiming valuable taskbar space and potentially improving performance.

Understanding the Edge Bar and Its Purpose

Before diving into the removal methods, it’s crucial to understand what the Edge bar is and why Microsoft included it. The News and Interests feature is powered by Microsoft’s MSN service, which aggregates information from various sources. It’s designed to provide personalized content based on your interests and location. The idea is to offer a quick snapshot of relevant information without requiring you to open a separate browser window or app.

The feature was initially released as part of a Windows 10 update and has been subject to various iterations and improvements since its introduction. However, its persistent presence on the taskbar has been a point of contention for many users who prefer a cleaner and less cluttered interface. While the default option is to hide the icon, this doesn’t fully remove the background processes that may be consuming system resources.

Methods for Removing the Edge Bar

Several methods exist to remove the Edge bar from Windows 10, ranging from simple taskbar settings adjustments to more advanced registry edits. We’ll explore each method in detail, outlining the steps involved and the potential implications. It is crucial to choose the method that best suits your comfort level and technical expertise.

Method 1: Disabling News and Interests via Taskbar Settings

The most straightforward way to remove the Edge bar is through the taskbar settings. This method is quick, easy, and reversible, making it a good starting point for most users.

To disable News and Interests:

Right-click on an empty space on the taskbar.
Hover over “News and interests” in the context menu.
Select “Turn off.”

This action will immediately remove the Edge bar icon and its associated content from the taskbar. However, it’s important to note that this method might not completely disable the underlying processes. In some cases, the News and Interests feature might still consume minimal system resources even when hidden.

Method 2: Disabling News and Interests via Group Policy Editor (Professional, Enterprise, and Education Editions)

For users with Windows 10 Professional, Enterprise, or Education editions, the Group Policy Editor offers a more robust way to disable News and Interests. This method prevents the feature from running at all, ensuring it doesn’t consume any system resources in the background.

The Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) is a powerful tool that allows administrators to configure various system settings and policies. Using this editor, we can disable the News and Interests feature at a system level.

To disable News and Interests using the Group Policy Editor:

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type “gpedit.msc” and press Enter. This will open the Local Group Policy Editor.
Navigate to the following location in the left pane:
- User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > News and interests.
In the right pane, double-click on the “Enable News and interests on the taskbar” policy.
In the policy settings window, select “Disabled.”
Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.
Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

By disabling the policy, you are effectively preventing the News and Interests feature from running on your system. This is a more permanent solution compared to simply hiding the icon via the taskbar settings.

Method 3: Disabling News and Interests via Registry Editor (Home Edition and Alternative for Other Editions)

For users with Windows 10 Home edition, which does not include the Group Policy Editor, the Registry Editor provides an alternative way to disable News and Interests. This method involves modifying the Windows Registry, a database that stores system settings and configuration information.

Caution: Modifying the registry incorrectly can cause serious system problems. It is crucial to back up the registry before making any changes. To back up the registry, open the Registry Editor (regedit.exe), go to File > Export, and save the registry file to a safe location.

To disable News and Interests using the Registry Editor:

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type “regedit” and press Enter. This will open the Registry Editor.
Navigate to the following location in the left pane:
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Feeds
If the “Feeds” key does not exist, you will need to create it. To do so, right-click on “CurrentVersion”, select “New” > “Key”, and name the new key “Feeds”.
Right-click on the “Feeds” key, select “New” > “DWORD (32-bit) Value”.
Name the new DWORD value “ShellFeedsTaskbarViewMode”.
Double-click on the “ShellFeedsTaskbarViewMode” value and set its value data to “2”.
Close the Registry Editor.
Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Alternatively, if you want to disable the News and Interests completely (and not just hide the icon), you can create another DWORD value. Navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows

If “Windows” key does not exist under Microsoft key then create it. If “Microsoft” key doesn’t exist under SOFTWARE, then create that first. You’ll need to create keys if they don’t exist, following the same steps as before.

Then create a new key named Windows.
Then create a new key named WindowsFeeds.
Inside the WindowsFeeds key, create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named EnableFeeds. Set the value to 0.

Restart your computer.

These registry modifications will disable the News and Interests feature, preventing it from running and consuming system resources.

Method 4: Uninstalling the Specific Windows Update (Not Recommended)

While technically possible, uninstalling the specific Windows update that introduced the News and Interests feature is not recommended as a long-term solution. This is because uninstalling updates can leave your system vulnerable to security risks and may cause compatibility issues with other software. Furthermore, Windows Update will likely reinstall the update in the future, bringing back the Edge bar.

However, if you are determined to try this method (at your own risk):

Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
Click on “Update & Security”.
Click on “View update history”.
Click on “Uninstall updates”.
Locate the update that introduced the News and Interests feature (typically a cumulative update). Identifying the exact KB number can be tricky, research online to find the KB associated with the initial rollout of the News and Interests feature.
Select the update and click “Uninstall”.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation.
Restart your computer.

Important: After uninstalling the update, you should pause updates temporarily to prevent Windows Update from automatically reinstalling it. However, remember to re-enable updates after a reasonable period to ensure your system remains secure. This method is highly discouraged due to security implications.

Re-enabling the Edge Bar

If you decide that you want to re-enable the Edge bar after removing it, the process is relatively straightforward, depending on the method you used to disable it.

If you disabled News and Interests via taskbar settings:

Right-click on an empty space on the taskbar.
Hover over “News and interests” in the context menu.
Select either “Show icon and text” or “Show icon only,” depending on your preference.

If you disabled News and Interests via Group Policy Editor:

Open the Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).
Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > News and interests.
Double-click on the “Enable News and interests on the taskbar” policy.
Select “Enabled” or “Not Configured.”
Click “Apply” and then “OK”.
Restart your computer.

If you disabled News and Interests via Registry Editor:

Open the Registry Editor (regedit.exe).
Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Feeds.
Delete the “ShellFeedsTaskbarViewMode” DWORD value. Alternatively, you can set its value data to “0” to show the icon and text, or “1” to show only the icon.
If you disabled using the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE registry key, navigate to that location.
Delete the WindowsFeeds key, or change the EnableFeeds value to 1.
Close the Registry Editor.
Restart your computer.

Reverting the changes you made will restore the Edge bar functionality.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, even after following the steps outlined above, the Edge bar might persist or reappear after a system update. Here are some common issues and their solutions:

The Edge bar reappears after a Windows update: This is a common occurrence. Windows Update may reinstall the update that includes the News and Interests feature. To prevent this, you may need to repeat the disabling process after each major update. Using the Group Policy Editor or Registry Editor methods offers a more persistent solution.
The taskbar settings option is grayed out: This can happen if a Group Policy or Registry setting is already configured to manage the News and Interests feature. Check the Group Policy Editor or Registry Editor to see if any relevant policies are enabled.
The News and Interests feature is consuming excessive system resources: Even when hidden, the News and Interests feature might still consume some resources in the background. Using the Group Policy Editor or Registry Editor methods to completely disable the feature should resolve this issue.
Incorrect Registry settings: Double-check the registry entries you created or modified. Incorrect values or typos can prevent the Edge bar from being disabled correctly.

Choosing the Right Method

The best method for removing the Edge bar depends on your specific needs and technical expertise:

For most users: The taskbar settings method is the easiest and most convenient option. It’s quick, reversible, and doesn’t require any technical knowledge.
For users with Windows 10 Professional, Enterprise, or Education editions: The Group Policy Editor method provides a more robust and permanent solution that prevents the feature from running at all.
For users with Windows 10 Home edition: The Registry Editor method is the only option for completely disabling the feature. However, it requires caution and attention to detail.
Uninstalling the update: This option is strongly discouraged due to potential security risks and the likelihood of the update being reinstalled.

By carefully considering your options and following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully remove the Edge bar from your Windows 10 system and reclaim valuable taskbar space. Remember to always back up your system before making any major changes, and choose the method that best suits your technical skills and comfort level.

Why does the Edge Bar keep appearing even after I close it?

The Edge Bar, officially known as the Microsoft Edge Discover feature, is designed to provide quick access to news, weather, and other information. Windows 10 sometimes automatically reactivates it, even after you’ve manually closed it, due to its built-in functionality to remain readily available. This behavior is intended to keep you informed, but many users find it intrusive and prefer to disable it permanently.

The underlying reason it reappears is often related to the Edge browser’s default settings or background processes. Certain Edge updates or system restarts can trigger the Edge Bar to relaunch, overriding your previous attempts to close it. Understanding the cause helps in applying the correct method for permanent removal rather than just temporarily dismissing the feature.

Is it safe to disable the Edge Bar permanently?

Yes, it is generally safe to disable the Edge Bar permanently. Disabling this feature will not negatively impact the core functionality of Windows 10 or the Microsoft Edge browser itself. It simply removes the convenience feature that some users find bothersome. You can always re-enable the feature later if you decide you want to use it.

The process of disabling the Edge Bar usually involves modifying settings within the Edge browser or adjusting system settings through the Windows Registry Editor. Both methods are considered safe when performed carefully and following reliable instructions. Always back up your system or create a system restore point before making any changes to the Registry Editor, just as a precaution.

What are the different methods to permanently remove the Edge Bar?

There are primarily two reliable methods to permanently remove the Edge Bar in Windows 10. The first involves disabling the “Show Discover” option directly within the Microsoft Edge browser settings. This is the most straightforward and recommended method for most users.

The second method utilizes the Windows Registry Editor to modify a specific registry key associated with the Edge Bar feature. While this method can be effective, it requires more caution and is typically used when the browser settings method fails to work or isn’t accessible. Be sure to create a system restore point before editing the registry.

How do I disable the Edge Bar through Microsoft Edge settings?

To disable the Edge Bar through Microsoft Edge settings, first open the Edge browser. Then, click on the three horizontal dots (ellipsis) in the top-right corner to open the menu. From the menu, select “Settings.” In the Settings menu, navigate to the “Appearance” section using the left-hand sidebar.

Within the “Appearance” settings, locate the “Show Discover” option. Toggle the switch to the “Off” position to disable the Edge Bar. This should prevent the Edge Bar from automatically appearing in the future. Restarting the browser after making the change is generally a good practice to ensure the settings are applied correctly.

What is the Registry Editor method for removing the Edge Bar and how do I use it?

The Registry Editor method involves modifying a specific registry key related to the Edge Bar. To access the Registry Editor, press the Windows key + R, type “regedit,” and press Enter. This opens the Registry Editor window. Navigate to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Feeds.

In the “Feeds” key, you might find a DWORD value named “ShellFeedsTaskbarViewMode.” If it exists, double-click it and change its value data to “2” (without the quotes). If the “ShellFeedsTaskbarViewMode” value does not exist, right-click in the right panel, select “New,” then “DWORD (32-bit) Value,” and name it “ShellFeedsTaskbarViewMode.” Then, double-click the new value and set its value data to “2.” This action disables the Edge Bar feature. Remember to back up your registry before making any changes.

What if the Edge Bar still reappears after trying these methods?

If the Edge Bar continues to reappear after attempting both the browser settings and Registry Editor methods, it’s possible that other factors are contributing to the issue. One possibility is that a conflicting program or service is automatically re-enabling the feature. You might try performing a clean boot of Windows to identify if any third-party programs are causing the issue.

Another potential cause is the presence of outdated or corrupted system files. Running the System File Checker (SFC) scan can help identify and repair these files. To run the SFC scan, open Command Prompt as an administrator (search for “cmd,” right-click, and select “Run as administrator”), then type sfc /scannow and press Enter. The scan will automatically detect and replace any corrupted system files.

Can I re-enable the Edge Bar if I change my mind later?

Yes, you can easily re-enable the Edge Bar if you decide you want to use it again after disabling it. If you disabled it through the Microsoft Edge settings, simply navigate back to the “Appearance” section in the Edge settings and toggle the “Show Discover” option back to the “On” position. This will re-enable the Edge Bar.

If you used the Registry Editor method, you need to revert the changes you made to the registry key. Open the Registry Editor again, navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Feeds, and either delete the “ShellFeedsTaskbarViewMode” value you created or change its value data back to “0.” Restarting your computer after making these changes is recommended.