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Disable Edge Copilot and Hubs Sidebar

Overview​

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Windows.

These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.

This script enhances your privacy and system performance by disabling multiple linked features in Microsoft Edge.

This script primarily disables the Hubs Sidebar. This is a launcher bar on the right side of Microsoft Edge's screen 1. By default, the Sidebar is visible 1, but running this script will permanently hide it 1.

Disabling the Hubs Sidebar also deactivates the following features:

  • Copilot in Edge: This feature was known as Bing Chat 2, Discover in Edge 3 4, Bing Discover 3, Discover app 5, Discover experience 4, or simply Discover 3 4. It collects personal data including URLs, page titles, user queries, browsing context, and conversation histories 6 7. It enables the discovery of content relevant to the page you are browsing, such as summaries and source information 4. Disabling the Hubs Sidebar is the recommended method to also disable Copilot in Edge 4 8. Disabling it stops this data collection, improving your privacy.
  • Sidebar apps: Disabling the Hubs Sidebar also deactivates all sidebar apps 5. This script disables also the sidebar in Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) 5. This script prevents all sidebar apps from being activated 5.
  • Standalone Sidebar: Disabling the Hubs Sidebar also turns off any standalone sidebar modes 9. This mode displays the Sidebar in a fixed position on the desktop, separate from the browser frame 9. Disabling this reduces background resource usage, thereby optimizing system performance 10.

The script configures the following Edge policies:

Edge policyAffected Edge versions
HubsSidebarEnabled 1 3 5 8 11Edge ≥ 99 1
StandaloneHubsSidebarEnabled 9 10Edge ≥ 88 and ≤ 119 9

The new settings will take effect after you restart the browser 5.

Caution
  • This will display the message "Your browser is managed by your organization" on the settings page.
  • This locks settings and prevents them from being changed on the settings page.

This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.

Not Advised

This script should only be used by advanced users. This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality. Do not run it without having backups and system snapshots.

Implementation Details

  • Language: batch

  • Required Privileges: Administrator rights

  • Compatibility: Windows only

  • Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script

Explore Categories​

This action belongs to Disable Copilot in Edge category. This category contains scripts to disable Copilot features in Microsoft Edge. Copilot, initially known as Bing Chat, integrates generative AI into Edge. Despite its capabilities, it raises significant privacy and security concerns: Microsoft may retain chat data, which could include sensitive... Read more on category page ▶

Apply now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

  1. Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
  2. Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
  3. Manually by copying: Advanced flexibility.

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy​

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.

Open privacy.sexy

You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using the application.

privacy.sexy instructions
  1. Open or download the desktop application
  2. Search for the script name: Disable Edge Copilot and Hubs Sidebar.
  3. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download​

Irreversible Changes

This script is irreversible, meaning there is no straightforward method to restore changes once applied. Exercise caution before running, restoring it may not be possible.

  1. Download the script file by clicking on the button below:

    Download script

  2. Run the script file by clicking on it.

Download revert script​

This file restores your system to its original state, before this script is applied.

Download restore script

Alternative 3. Copy​

This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
HELP: Step-by-step guide

  1. Click on Start menu

  2. Type cmd

  3. Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator

  4. Click on Yes to run Command Prompt

Animation showing how to open terminal as administrator on Windows 11

  1. Copy the following code:
Code to apply changes
:: Configure "HubsSidebarEnabled" Edge policy
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge!HubsSidebarEnabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge' /v 'HubsSidebarEnabled' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Configure "StandaloneHubsSidebarEnabled" Edge policy
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge!StandaloneHubsSidebarEnabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge' /v 'StandaloneHubsSidebarEnabled' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Suggest restarting Edge for changes to take effect
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$message = 'For the changes to fully take effect, please restart Microsoft Edge.'; $warn =  $false; if ($warn) { Write-Warning "^""$message"^""; } else { Write-Host "^""Note: "^"" -ForegroundColor Blue -NoNewLine; Write-Output "^""$message"^""; }"
  1. Right click on command prompt to paste it.
  2. Press Enter to apply remaining code.

Copy restore code​

Copy and run the following code to restore changes:

Revert code
:: Restore "HubsSidebarEnabled" Edge policy
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge!HubsSidebarEnabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge' /v 'HubsSidebarEnabled' /f 2>$null"
:: Restore "StandaloneHubsSidebarEnabled" Edge policy
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge!StandaloneHubsSidebarEnabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge' /v 'StandaloneHubsSidebarEnabled' /f 2>$null"
:: Suggest restarting Edge for changes to take effect
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$message = 'For the changes to fully take effect, please restart Microsoft Edge.'; $warn =  $false; if ($warn) { Write-Warning "^""$message"^""; } else { Write-Host "^""Note: "^"" -ForegroundColor Blue -NoNewLine; Write-Output "^""$message"^""; }"

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