Another feature of Microsoft Edge is set to be phased out, as the browser’s Collections tool faces retirement. According to recent notifications within Microsoft Edge Dev, users will soon be unable to add new items to Collections. The message clearly states, “Collections is being retired.” Users are advised to either export their saved content or transfer all pages to their Favorites before the feature is removed.
Windows Report recently highlighted this announcement, which raises concerns for those who have relied on Collections. The two alternatives provided by Edge—moving pages to Favorites or exporting data—do not fully replicate the functionality of Collections. While transferring to Favorites may seem convenient, users will lose additional content such as images and notes. On the other hand, exporting data will preserve all content in a CSV file, but it will no longer reside within the browser. This means that users will ultimately find it challenging to retain all their data within Edge.
Why is Microsoft Edge losing another feature?
Criticism of Microsoft often arises when beloved features are removed, yet in this case, the situation appears more nuanced. Collections have not gained significant traction among Edge users. Leo Varela, a keen observer of Microsoft Edge’s development, pointed out on X that many users abandoned Collections after the transition from a native implementation to a web-based version. He noted, “If Microsoft does indeed deprecate it, few users are likely to miss it.”
This shift in user engagement suggests that Microsoft may have inadvertently diminished the feature’s appeal. Currently, Collections seems to be overshadowed by other functionalities within Edge.
In contrast, the fate of the Edge Sidebar appears to be more precarious. With the Sidebar app list being retired, there are indications that the entire Sidebar could be at risk. Microsoft has stated that this decision is part of an effort to “simplify Edge.” However, it’s worth noting that the Sidebar competes directly with Copilot in Edge, both vying for the same screen space. Given Microsoft’s recent focus on promoting Copilot, it seems likely that the company will prioritize this feature over others.
As Microsoft continues to evolve Edge, it raises questions about the browser’s direction. Originally, the transition to a Chromium engine gave Edge a fresh identity, positioning it as a Google-free alternative with valuable enhancements. Now, however, it increasingly resembles a platform for Microsoft to showcase Copilot and various shopping experiences.
What do you think of the current state of Microsoft Edge? Is the browser headed in the right direction?
Follow Windows Central on Google News to keep our latest news, insights, and features at the top of your feeds!
