Microsoft is making yet another change to the Edge browser, and this time it affects one of the most useful features many of us relied on: the Sidebar app list. The official explanation is that Edge is being "simplified," but once you take a closer look, it becomes pretty clear that this simplification strongly favours one thing—Copilot.

Let's break down what's happening, why users are frustrated, and what this means for the future of Edge on Windows 11.

A Surprising Change: The Sidebar App List Is Going Away

If you're using Edge Canary (the early test version), you might have already seen a strange warning pop up when opening the browser's sidebar. Instead of launching search or your pinned apps, Edge now displays a notice saying that the Sidebar app list is being phased out.

Microsoft's message reads something like this:
"We're simplifying Edge. New apps can no longer be added, and the quick access list will be removed gradually."

In other words, no more adding quick links, no more pinning your favourite pages, and no more managing your productivity shortcuts from the sidebar. And just to be sure there's no misunderstanding, Microsoft adds that Copilot is not affected.

This change hasn't hit the stable version of Edge yet, but Canary users are clearly the first to feel the impact.

Why Remove the Sidebar? The Real Reason Is Hard to Ignore

Technically, Microsoft says the browser is becoming "less cluttered." But you really don't need a conspiracy theory to figure out what's going on: Copilot now lives in the same space the sidebar used to occupy.

By removing the Sidebar app list, Copilot gets more screen real estate and more prominence in the browser interface. It's front and centre in the toolbar, in the new tab page, in the address bar experience, and even in right-click menus.

Let's be honest—Microsoft wants Copilot to be the star of Edge.

The irony? Many users actually preferred the sidebar for quick tasks because it didn't interrupt their workflow and didn't feel intrusive. Meanwhile, Copilot is integrated into almost every corner of Edge, whether you ask for it or not.

The Sidebar Was More Useful Than Microsoft Realises

What makes this decision frustrating is that the Sidebar wasn't a gimmick—it was genuinely helpful. For years, it acted as a mini productivity panel built directly into the browser.

You could pin your favourite web apps, keep a notes tool handy, check Outlook emails, open shopping tools, or read side-by-side pages—all without switching tabs. It was all about multitasking conveniently.

And the best part? It was optional.
Didn't like it? You could hide it entirely. Wanted it back? One click in Settings brought it back.

It was non-intrusive, efficient, and under your control. Copilot, on the other hand? Well… it's everywhere.

The Copilot "Simplification" Problem: Is Edge Truly Becoming Easier?

Microsoft insists that removing the Sidebar app list simplifies Edge. But if you open the browser today, especially on Windows 11, you are literally surrounded by Copilot integrations:

That's just on the surface. Scroll around, click something, hover somewhere—Copilot is waiting for you.

So if the Sidebar is "clutter," what exactly do we call five different Copilot touchpoints across one browser window?

Edge isn't being simplified. Instead, it's being transformed into a Copilot-first platform.

Microsoft's Defence: Copilot Comes First

Microsoft's official line is simple:
Copilot will stay. Copilot will expand. And Copilot isn't part of the cleanup.

The sidebar app list? That's the sacrifice for "focus."

Whether users agree with this direction is another story. Many long-time Edge fans enjoyed having tools they could control and customise. Replacing that flexibility with a single AI-centric experience—the one feature you can't hide—feels like the opposite of simplicity.

What This Means for Users Going Forward

If you relied on the Edge Sidebar to organise your workflow, prepare to adjust:

Microsoft might introduce alternatives later, but at the moment, Copilot is clearly the priority. Like it or not, Edge is becoming a browser built around AI services rather than traditional tools.

Final Thoughts: A Step Forward or a Step Back?

On one hand, integrating Copilot deeply into Edge makes sense for Microsoft's broader strategy. AI is their priority. They want Edge to be the default home for all things Copilot.

But removing a beloved, highly functional feature in exchange for more AI presence? That's where many users feel left out of the decision.

If the goal is truly to simplify the browser, maybe Microsoft should start by giving users more control over Copilot—not removing the tools people actually find useful.

For now, the message is clear:
Edge is not just a browser anymore. It's becoming Microsoft Copilot's home base, whether the rest of Edge's features stay or go.