To show the favorites bar in Microsoft Edge, press Ctrl + Shift + B on Windows or Command + Shift + B on a Mac. To choose exactly when it appears, open Settings and more (the three dots at the top right) > Settings > Appearance, find Show favorites bar under Toolbar, and pick Always, Never, or Only on new tabs.
The favorites bar sits just below the address bar and gives you one-click access to the sites you use most. Below are all the ways to turn it on, how to add and organize sites on it, and what to do if it won’t show up.
Method 1: Use the keyboard shortcut
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + B.
- Mac: Press Command + Shift + B.
Press the same shortcut again to hide it. The shortcut switches between Always and Never.
Method 2: Turn it on in Edge settings
- Click Settings and more (the three dots) in the top-right corner of Edge, or press Alt + F.
- Click Settings.
- Click Appearance in the left menu. If you don’t see the menu, click the three lines next to “Settings” to open it.
- Under Toolbar (called Customize toolbar in some versions), find Show favorites bar.
- Choose Always, Never, or Only on new tabs.
You can also go straight to this page by typing edge://settings/appearance in the address bar.
Method 3: Right-click the toolbar
- Right-click the favorites bar area or an empty spot on the toolbar, depending on your version.
- Point to Show favorites bar and choose Always.
You can also click the Favorites button (the star with lines), click More options (the three dots), and choose Show favorites bar.
Which setting should you pick?
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Always | Shows the bar on every page. Best if you use it often. |
| Only on new tabs | Shows the bar only when you open a new tab. Keeps more room for web pages. |
| Never | Hides the bar. You can still get to favorites from the Favorites button or with Ctrl + Shift + O. |
How to add sites to the favorites bar
- Go to the website you want to add.
- Click the star in the address bar, or press Ctrl + D (Command + D on a Mac).
- Change the Folder to Favorites bar.
- Click Done.
You can also drag the padlock icon to the left of the web address straight onto the favorites bar.
How to organize the favorites bar
- Reorder: Drag items left or right on the bar.
- Rename: Right-click an item and choose Edit. Short names fit more sites on the bar. You can even delete the name to show only the site’s icon.
- Add a folder: Right-click the bar and choose Add folder. Drag sites into it to group them.
- Remove: Right-click an item and choose Delete.
- See more items: If the bar runs out of room, click the ยป arrow at the right end to see the rest.
To import favorites from another browser, open Settings > Profiles > Import browser data. Imported bookmarks bar items usually show up in a folder on the favorites bar.
If the favorites bar won’t show
- You’re in full-screen mode. Press F11 to exit. The bar is hidden in full screen.
- It’s set to “Only on new tabs.” Change it to Always in Settings > Appearance.
- It’s empty. An empty bar can be easy to miss. Add a site using the steps above.
- Your work or school manages Edge. Your organization may control this setting. You’ll see a briefcase icon or “Managed by your organization” in settings.
- Sync is off. If favorites appear on one computer but not another, turn on sync in Settings > Profiles > Sync and make sure Favorites is on.
- Edge is out of date. Go to Settings > About Microsoft Edge to install updates.
Favorites bar on Edge mobile
The Edge apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android don’t have a favorites bar. Tap the menu button and then Favorites to see your saved sites instead. Turn on sync to see the same favorites on your phone and computer.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between favorites and the favorites bar?
Favorites are all the sites you’ve saved. The favorites bar is one folder of favorites that’s shown under the address bar for quick access.
Is the favorites bar the same as the bookmarks bar?
Yes. Edge calls bookmarks “favorites,” so the favorites bar is the same idea as the bookmarks bar in other browsers.
How do I show only icons on the favorites bar?
Right-click each item, choose Edit, and delete the text in the Name box. Some versions also have a Show icons only option when you right-click the bar.
Where are Edge favorites stored?
They’re saved in your Edge profile. If you sign in and turn on sync, they’re also backed up to your Microsoft account.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.