If you’ve recently updated to the latest version of Microsoft Edge, you might have noticed an addition in the form of a Bing Chat AI button nestled in the top right corner of your browser. While the Edge sidebar can be easily disabled through browser settings, the same cannot be said for the Bing button. There’s no direct option to remove it in the settings; you’ll have to delve into the Registry for that. Let’s explore how you can bid farewell to the Bing Chat AI button and reclaim your Edge browsing experience.
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Understanding the Bing Chat Button in Microsoft Edge
The Bing chat button finds its place above the sidebar, situated on the right alongside other controls. Disabling the Edge sidebar doesn’t affect this button. What can be particularly bothersome is that you don’t have to click it for Bing’s Chat AI to launch; a simple hover over the button is enough. This auto-launch behavior might remind you of the Widgets board on Windows 11, triggered by hovering over the button in the left corner of the taskbar. But don’t worry, just like with Widgets, we’ve got a solution.
READ ALSO: How to Disable Bing Chat AI from Windows 11 Search
How to Remove the Bing Chat AI Button from Edge via the Registry
Although Microsoft hasn’t provided a straightforward setting to turn off the Bing Chat AI button, you can bid it adieu by making a slight tweak in the Windows Registry. A word of caution: editing the Registry is not for the faint of heart, and a misstep can cause system issues. Ensure you have backups in place, including a system image and a Restore Point, before proceeding.
Here’s how to remove the Bing Chat button:
- Press the Windows key to launch the Start menu, type regedit and select “Run as administrator.”
- Navigate to the path: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge
- Right-click on the right pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it HubsSidebarEnabled.
- Double-click the new value HubsSidebarEnabled, and set its Value data to 0.
- Click OK and close the Registry Editor.
- Now, launch Microsoft Edge and type edge://policy in the address bar. Press Enter and click Reload Policies.
Voila! The Bing Chat button will vanish from Edge.
Edge Sidebar and Future Updates
A noteworthy point is that along with removing the Bing Chat button, the entire Edge sidebar containing various tools will be hidden if you follow these Registry steps. Any attempts to customize the sidebar through Edge’s settings will be grayed out. If you wish to restore it, go back to the Registry Editor and change the HubsSidebarEnabled value to 1.
It’s important to mention that while this method is effective now, Microsoft might introduce updates that could alter this. We’ll strive to keep this guide updated if there are any changes.
Conclusion
In a world where AI is making its way into various aspects of our lives, having the choice to customize your browsing experience is crucial. Whether you want to eliminate the Bing Chat AI button or tweak other settings, mastering Microsoft Edge empowers you. You might also want to explore how to clear your Bing Chat AI search history if privacy is a concern.
Microsoft Edge offers a plethora of features. You can share files between devices with Edge Drop, add a second user profile to Edge, or enhance browser performance by enabling Efficiency Mode on Edge. The possibilities are vast, and understanding how to tailor your settings ensures a seamless and personalized browsing journey.