Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Microsoft Edge does not currently include a setting officially named Minimal UI Mode. The phrase usually refers to combining several Edge features to reduce distractions: Reading mode simplifies supported webpages, full screen hides Edge’s browser controls, Vertical Tabs can reduce tab-strip clutter, and Appearance settings let you adjust the theme, zoom, and toolbar. Which combination works best depends on what you want to remove: Reading mode changes the page, while full screen changes the browser interface.
Use Reading mode to remove webpage distractions
Reading mode, also called Immersive Reader in Microsoft’s support documentation, is the closest built-in Edge feature to a distraction-free reading view. It reformats supported articles and removes page clutter such as distracting pop-ups and buttons while retaining the page’s text and visual content.
It is not a browser-wide minimal interface. Your tabs, address bar, and other Edge controls remain visible unless you also use full screen.
Turn on the Reading mode button
- Select Settings and more (…) in the upper-right corner of Edge.
- Choose Settings.
- Select Appearance.
- Under Toolbar, turn on Reading mode.
- Open a supported webpage. When Edge recognizes compatible content, select the Reading mode control in the address bar.
You can also press F9 while viewing a supported webpage. To process only part of a page, select the text, right-click it, and choose Open selection in Reading mode.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches#1 Best Overall
- No Blue Light Hazard & Flicker-Free Lighting: Certified to meet the IEC/TR 62778 and IEC/EN 62471 standards, Quntis monitor light bar effectively eliminates harmful blue light that may affect vision, reducing eye irritation and providing optimal eye protection. Enjoy our flicker-free illumination that provides a stable light source without worrying about eye discomfort. Experience a truly comfortable and eye-friendly illumination with Quntis computer monitor light.
- No Screen Glare & Space Saving: The innovative asymmetrical optical design only illuminates your desk area, enhancing immersion and focus while ensuring no reflected glare on your screen. Our scientifically designed weighted clip easily mounts on top of the monitor, saving valuable desk space.
- Auto-Dimming & Stepless Dimming: The built-in ambient light sensor continuously monitors the surrounding brightness and intelligently adjusts the existing light to 900 lux, preventing visual fatigue by avoiding excessive or insufficient lighting. The ScreenLinear monitor lamp also allows manual adjustments for both brightness and color temperature (3000K-6500K), so you can customize the lighting to your preference for optimal comfort.
- Close to Natural Light & Ultra-High Ra98 Color Rendering Index: Our computer light bar features 78 high-quality LED beads, offering uniform and adequate lighting while minimizing shadows and glare, creating a comfortable lighting environment for reading, working, and gaming. High CRI enhances vibrant and true-to-life colors, making objects on your screen appear vivid and realistic. Perfect for professionals engaged in color work, ensuring color accuracy and minimizing eye fatigue.
- Masterful Illumination, Empowering Eye Care: Quntis monitor reading lamp surpasses normal desk lamps by providing exceptional, eye-friendly illumination. It helps develop healthier visual habits during screen time and reduces the risk of myopia. Ideal for students, designers, and office workers, the ScreenLinear is a great solution for a comfortable visual experience, whether you’re reading, gaming, or spending long hours in front of a screen.
Why Reading mode may not appear
Reading mode is page-dependent. Edge must be able to identify content that it can reformat. The control may not be available on interactive web applications, dashboards, forums, pages with unusual layouts, or other complex content.
This is expected behavior rather than a failed installation. Reading mode is designed for article-style content, not for replacing the interface of every website. If the control is missing, try a conventional news article or documentation page, or use full screen and browser zoom instead.
Adjust the Reading mode layout
After opening Reading mode, select the Settings icon in its toolbar and choose Appearance settings. Depending on the current Edge version, the available controls include:
| Setting | What it changes |
|---|---|
| Font | Changes the typeface used for the reading view. |
| Font size | Makes the reading text smaller or larger. |
| Column width | Controls how wide the text column is. |
| Theme | Changes the reading view’s background and color treatment. |
Reading mode also documents tools such as Read aloud, Translate, Summarize, Explain, and Chat with Copilot. Some of these features open or use the Copilot side pane, so they may not produce the most minimal possible view.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Use full screen to hide Edge’s browser interface
If your goal is to hide the tab bar, address bar, and other browser chrome, use full screen. Press F11 to toggle it on or off. Pressing F11 again restores the normal Edge interface.
Rank #2
- Bright, Wide, and Even Illumination Monitor Light : 11.8-inch screen light bar delivers up to 800 lux of central brightness for 30''*20'' coverage area, offering significantly brighter and more uniform lighting than conventional desk lamps. It eliminates dark spots and minimizes eye strain during extended work or gaming sessions, ensuring a comfortable and well-lit workspace.
- Eye-Friendly Desk Lamp: Dimmable 45° lighting illuminates just your screen and desk, not your eyes. This screen bar eliminates reflections and minimizes factors that cause digital eye strain, creating an optimized and comfortable lighting environment right at your desktop, ideal for long hours of computer use.
- Stepless Dimming with Memory Function : 3 color temperatures (3000-4000-6500K) and brightness levels seamlessly via ON/OFF switch to match your needs for work , reading , games or relaxation. Computer light also with built-in memory function automatically recalls your last settings for convenience.
- USB Power and Easy Operation Reading Light: Powered via USB from computers, adapters, or mobile power banks, this light offers broad compatibility. Mechanical ON/OFF switch on right side of the monitor lamp for all functions control,short press for ON/OFF and color temperature changing, long press for brightness adjusting. Control your desktop light at your fingertips.
- Space-Saving, Secure Mounting Design:With its patented counterweight clip, the bar light installs instantly without tools and fits for most of the screens from thin to thick, from regular to curved. It stays firmly in place without occupying desk space, making it perfect for clutter-free setups.
You can also open the … menu, locate the Zoom section, and select the Full screen icon.
Full screen does not simplify the webpage. A cluttered website remains cluttered, and a dashboard remains a dashboard. For a focused article view, open Reading mode first and then press F11. For a web app that does not support Reading mode, full screen may still give you more usable space, but it will not remove the app’s own panels or controls.
Reduce tab clutter with Vertical Tabs
Vertical Tabs can move your tabs from the top of the window to a column on the left. This can be useful when many tabs are open, particularly if horizontal tab titles are being truncated.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →- Right-click an empty area of the tab bar.
- Select Turn on vertical tabs.
- In the vertical-tabs column, select the Collapse pane icon at the top.
The collapsed pane contracts to site icons. Select the same control to expand it and display tab names again.
Vertical Tabs does not remove tabs; it changes their arrangement. It is therefore better for managing a busy workspace than for reading a single page. Combined with F11, it can produce a very clean window, although you may need to move the pointer to the edge or leave full screen to access browser controls.
Rank #3
- 【No Screen Glare & Flicker-Free】Glare will tire your eyes and cause headache. Different from traditional lamp, Colorpanda computer monitor light adopts asymmetric optical and Anti-Blue Light design, which can effectively avoid screen glare. Monitor lamp can reduce the fatigue caused by working or studying with the computer for a long time.
- 【Dimming & Memory Function】Boasting a premium metallic finish, this monitor light features 3 color temperatures & brightness levels (2700-4000-6500K), adjustable via touch buttons to meet your demands for work, reading and rest. The built-in memory function saves your last setting automatically.
- 【Space Saving Design】Innovative counterweight design makes it easy and stable to fix the monitor light bar on the top of your computer. Unlike traditional task lamp, it does not take up space on your desk. Small size for easy storage and portability.
- 【Easy to Install & Wide Range of Use】The patented clip-on design enables it to be installed in seconds! Without any tools, just clip the desk lamp on screen. Flexible design, suitable for screen thicknesses from 0.12” to 2.2” (0.3cm TO 5cm). It's convenient to use.
- 【Colorpanda Benefits】It’s long lifespan also reduces maintenance costs.Colorpanda high quality lighting increases productivity.Our customer support team will also address your concerns within 12 hours.
Adjust Edge’s general appearance
For changes that apply outside Reading mode, open Settings and more (…) > Settings > Appearance. Microsoft currently lists controls for:
- Theme: choose Light, Dark, or System default.
- Toolbar layout and buttons: control which available buttons appear in the toolbar.
- Font size: adjust the default size used by webpages.
- Page zoom: enlarge or reduce the current page view.
Page zoom is especially useful when a website does not support Reading mode. It does not remove page elements, but it can make text easier to read and reduce the need to use a narrow browser window. Dark theme can also reduce visual contrast between the browser and a dark desktop, although websites can impose their own colors.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →A practical minimal-distraction setup
Use the following combination when reading a supported article:
- Enable the Reading mode button under Settings > Appearance > Toolbar.
- Open the article and select the Reading mode control, or press F9.
- Open Reading mode’s settings and choose the font, text size, column width, and theme that suit you.
- Press F11 if you also want to hide Edge’s tabs and address bar.
- Press F11 again when you need to return to normal browsing.
For a multi-tab research session, turn on Vertical Tabs and collapse the pane. For an interactive site, skip Reading mode and use full screen, page zoom, and a suitable theme instead.
Do not rely on old “Minimal UI” flags
Some guides instruct you to search edge://flags for Minimal UI Mode or Enabled Minimal Mode. There is no currently verified Microsoft-documented flag named Minimal UI Mode.
Rank #4
- 【Discover Ultimate Eye Care with YEELIGHT Monitor Light Bar】Protect your vision and elevate your workspace with the YEELIGHT ScreenBar. Our cutting-edge technology not only effectively filters out harmful blue light but also boasts an RG0 rating—the highest standard for blue light safety. This safeguards your eyes from potential damage and ensures long-lasting comfort during extended computer use. Bid farewell to screen glare and enjoy a clear, unobstructed view thanks to our innovative design that minimizes reflections on your screen. Furthermore, our flicker-free illumination provides a stable, stress-free light source, ideal for both work and leisure
- 【Effortless Stepless Dimming & Personalized Color Temp Settings】Revolutionize your lighting experience with the YEELIGHT Monitor Light Bar. This lamp offers seamless stepless dimming and color temperature adjustment ranging from 2700K to 6500K for personalized illumination. Effortlessly fine-tune brightness and color through intuitive long-press controls to create ideal lighting for gaming, working, or studying. For added convenience, three fixed color temperature modes can be activated with a single touch, letting you quickly adapt to focused working, reading, or relaxed viewing scenes
- 【Ultra-High CRI Ra95 for True Color Fidelity】Illuminate your workspace with stunning color accuracy and ultimate eye care. YEELIGHT's ScreenBar features an ultra-high Color Rendering Index of Ra95, paired with 78 high-quality LED beads, providing even, ample illumination. It minimizes shadows and glare, creating a comfortable, natural lighting environment ideal for reading, working, and gaming. The screen lamp ensures vibrant, true-to-life colors, perfect for color-related professionals. Maintain screen color calibration and reduce eye fatigue with this monitor light bar, enhancing productivity and comfort
- 【Effortless Install, Space-Saving Brilliance】YEELIGHT's Monitor lamp offers a cutting-edge lighting solution with easy installation and space-saving design. Its retractable clip adapts to monitors from 0.3" to 1.1" thick, compatible with flat and curved monitor screens. Set up in seconds and save over 50% desk space vs. traditional lamps. Powered by USB with a 1.5m cable, it eliminates lamp bases and tangled wires. Enjoy an organized workspace with precision and elegance, enhancing your viewing experience
- 【Premium Full-Metal Monitor Light Bar with Camera-Friendly Design】The YEELIGHT Monitor Light Bar features a premium full-metal body, offering durability and a sleek design for modern workspaces. Its metallic finish ensures effective heat conduction, keeping it cool during prolonged use and reducing burn risks. The robust construction enhances longevity, outperforming plastic alternatives. The low-profile design avoids webcam obstruction, enabling seamless video calls and multitasking. Combining durability, functionality, and thoughtful design, it’s an ideal workspace addition
The older Enabled Minimal Mode label was associated with Windows-style overlay scrollbars, not a general distraction-free browser mode. Reports indicate that label disappeared by Edge 107 and was replaced by a differently named flag.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteYou can open the experimental-features page by entering edge://flags in the address bar, but flags are not a supported substitute for the settings above. They can disappear or change after an Edge update, usually require a restart, and may produce inconsistent interface behavior. Do not treat a search result for an old flag as evidence that Edge has a current Minimal UI setting.
Be cautious with command-line “minimal UI” fixes
Command-line switches shared online, including –disable-features=msFeatureGroupNewLookAndFeelHoldout and –enable-features=msForceNoRoundedCornerAndMargin, target visual-refresh or rounded-corner behavior. They do not enable Reading mode, full screen, Vertical Tabs, or an official minimal interface.
They can also be difficult to maintain because the way Edge is launched varies by operating system, shortcut, update channel, and device management policy. Use the supported Edge controls unless you are deliberately testing an experimental configuration and know how to undo it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If an option is missing
First check the Edge version: select … > Help and feedback > About Microsoft Edge, or open edge://settings/help. That page displays the installed version and checks for available updates.
Recommended Free Tools
Best Value
- Dual-Mode Monitor Light Bar, for Focus and Atmosphere: SAMPHON RGB computer lights combine two lighting modes. Front light eliminates screen glare and evenly lights your desk, protecting your eyes during work or study. Simultaneously, the 9-mode RGB backlight casts vibrant colors behind your screen, creating the perfect ambient atmosphere for gaming, movies, or relaxation. Get both essential task lighting and dynamic mood lighting without cluttering your desk
- Eye Comfort Monitor Lamp: Screen bar with a 45° beam angle to light only your desk and screen, No direct light to your eyes. Targeted lighting drastically reduces eye strain and fatigue, making long sessions at the computer far more comfortable. Just rotate the gaming light bar to suitable angle, switch from a warm, relaxing glow to a cool, focused beam for work with balanced uniform illumination
- RGB Screen Lamp with 3 Modes: Take full command of your lighting with versatile control. Choose from 9 stunning RGB backlight effects to energize your gaming setup, or select from 3 front light color temperatures for work and reading. Both lights operate independently via intuitive buttons. The smart memory function automatically recalls your last used settings, delivering your personalized lighting instantly every time you turn it on
- Space-Saving Monitor Lamp: Achieve a clean, organized desk in seconds. This monitor lamp features a universal, retractable clip with a soft silicone pad that grips securely without damaging screens—compatible with thin, thick, flat, and curved monitors. Sleek bar light installs instantly and stays firmly in place, providing a reliable and clutter-free lighting solution for any home or office
- USB-C Powered LED Desk Lamp with Intuitive Dual Control: Enjoy ultimate plug-and-play convenience. Powered by a universal USB-C cable (works with laptops, adapters, or power banks), this lamp offers flexible placement. Dual tactile buttons provide effortless fingertip control: the left button manages the RGB backlight (modes/on/off), while the right button handles the front light (on/off, color temperature, brightness). Effortlessly create the perfect light for any moment
Settings can differ by Edge version, and a work or school administrator may restrict appearance options or force particular browser behavior. Microsoft also notes that some appearance options may be unavailable depending on the Edge version. If an option is absent after updating, check whether the browser is managed before changing flags or reinstalling it.
FAQ
Is Minimal UI Mode an official Microsoft Edge setting?
No. There is currently no Edge setting or mode named “Minimal UI Mode.” The term describes a combination of Reading mode, full screen, Vertical Tabs, and appearance adjustments.
What is the shortcut for Edge Reading mode?
Press F9 on a supported webpage. You can also select text, right-click it, and choose Open selection in Reading mode.
Why does the Reading mode button not show in Edge?
Reading mode is page-dependent. Edge shows the control only when it can identify compatible content. Interactive apps, dashboards, forums, and complex layouts may not support it.
Does Edge full screen remove webpage advertisements and buttons?
No. Full screen hides Edge’s browser chrome, such as the address bar and tabs. Reading mode is the feature that simplifies supported webpage content.
Can I enable Minimal UI Mode with edge://flags?
No verified current flag named Minimal UI Mode is available. Older references commonly confuse an obsolete scrollbar-related flag with a general minimal interface. Flags are experimental and can change or disappear.
How do I leave Edge full screen?
Press F11, or use the full-screen control in the Edge menu’s Zoom section.
The Bottom Line
There is no single Minimal UI Mode switch in Microsoft Edge. For focused reading, use Reading mode with F9; for a chrome-free window, add F11; and for a less crowded tab layout, turn on and collapse Vertical Tabs. Avoid old flags and command-line tweaks that claim to enable a feature Edge does not officially provide.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
