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Microsoft Edge can place your tabs in a vertical pane on the left side of the browser instead of in a horizontal strip across the top. The side layout gives tab titles more room, which is useful when several tabs have similar favicons or page names.
Vertical tabs are available in current Edge on Windows and macOS. They are not supported in Edge for Android or iOS. Microsoft documents support beginning with Edge 88 on Windows and macOS.
Turn on vertical tabs in Microsoft Edge
- Open Microsoft Edge on your Windows PC or Mac.
- In the upper-left corner of the Edge window, select the Search tabs icon. It looks like a downward-facing arrow.
- Select Turn on Vertical Tabs.
Your tabs will move from the top of the browser into a pane along the side. The current page remains open, but the tab list is now arranged vertically.
Use the keyboard shortcut
On desktop Edge, press Ctrl+Shift+, (Comma) to switch between the vertical and horizontal tab layouts. If the shortcut does not work on your installation, use the Search tabs menu instead; Edge’s interface can vary by browser version and staged interface rollout.
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How to use the vertical tab pane
Open and close tabs
Use the usual controls in the side pane. Select the + button to open a new tab, select a tab to bring its page forward, and select the X on a tab to close it. You can also right-click a tab for commands such as duplicating, reloading, pinning, or closing it.
With tabs listed vertically, Edge can show more of each page title than a crowded top strip. This makes it easier to distinguish several documents, search results, or work pages with similar icons.
Collapse or expand the side pane
If you want more room for the webpage, look for the control that collapses the vertical tab pane to a narrow icon strip. When the pane is collapsed, select a tab or the tab-pane control to reveal the titles again. The exact control placement can differ as Microsoft rolls out visual changes across Edge versions.
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Tab groups work with either tab orientation:
- Right-click a tab. On a touchscreen, press and hold the tab.
- Select Add tab to a new group.
- Give the group a name or color if you want to identify it more easily.
- Drag other tabs into the group, or use their context menus to add them.
Groups are useful when the side pane contains tabs for unrelated tasks, such as research, email, and shopping. You can collapse a group to reduce the number of visible tabs without closing them.
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Recognize sleeping tabs
A tab that appears gray or faded is usually a sleeping tab. Edge has suspended activity in that tab to save browser resources. Select the tab when you need it; Edge resumes it and reloads or restores the page as necessary.
Turn vertical tabs off
- Select the Search tabs icon in the upper-left corner of the Edge window.
- Select Turn off Vertical Tabs.
Edge moves the tabs back to the horizontal strip at the top. You can switch layouts again at any time using the same menu or the desktop keyboard shortcut.
What to do if vertical tabs are missing
Check the browser and operating system
Make sure you are using the current desktop version of Edge on Windows or macOS. Vertical tabs are not available in Edge for Android or iPhone/iPad. Microsoft also notes that feature availability can vary by device type, market, and browser version.
Look for the Search tabs menu
The current supported procedure does not require an experimental flag. Do not rely on older instructions that tell you to visit edge://flags/#vertical-tabs; Microsoft’s current instructions use the Search tabs icon and the Turn on Vertical Tabs command.
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Check whether the computer is managed
A work or school administrator can disable vertical tabs with Edge’s VerticalTabsAllowed policy. When that policy is disabled, the vertical layout is unavailable to the user. If the policy is enabled or not configured, the user retains the option to turn vertical tabs on.
For an administrator on Windows, the policy is located at:
Administrative Templates > Microsoft Edge > Configures availability of a vertical layout for tabs on the side of the browser.
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Its policy identifier is VerticalTabsAllowed. The corresponding Windows registry details are:
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| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Registry path | SOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftEdge |
| Value name | VerticalTabsAllowed |
| Type | REG_DWORD |
| Enabled value | 0x00000001 |
On macOS, the documented preference key is VerticalTabsAllowed, with an enabled value of <true/>. Policy changes are not applied dynamically: restart Edge after changing the setting. Microsoft also documents this policy as profile-specific and says it does not apply to a profile signed in with a Microsoft account.
Which layout should you use?
| Choose vertical tabs when… | Choose horizontal tabs when… |
|---|---|
| You regularly keep many tabs open. | You only keep a few tabs open. |
| Page titles are more useful than favicons for identifying tabs. | You prefer the conventional browser layout. |
| You organize work with groups. | You want the maximum horizontal webpage width on a narrow display. |
Vertical tabs change the location of the tab list, not the way pages, bookmarks, history, or tab groups work. Try the side layout for a few browsing sessions and switch back from the same Search tabs menu if it takes too much horizontal space.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
Are vertical tabs available in Edge for Mac?
Yes. Microsoft currently lists vertical tabs for the latest desktop versions of Edge on both Windows and macOS. The feature is not supported on Android or iOS.
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Do I need to enable a flag for vertical tabs?
No. The current Microsoft-documented method is to select the upper-left Search tabs icon and then select Turn on Vertical Tabs. Instructions using edge://flags/#vertical-tabs are outdated for the current workflow.
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- ✅【Adjustable & Ergonomic】：This laptop stand can be adjusted to a comfortable height and angle according to your actual needs, letting you fix posture and reduce your neck fatigue, back pain and eye strain. Very comfortable for working in home, office and outdoor.
- ✅【Sturdy & Protective】 ：Made of sturdy metal, it can support up to 17.6 lbs (8kg) weight on top; With 2 rubber mats on the hook and anti-skid silicone pads on top & bottom, it can secure your laptop in place and maximum protect your device from scratches and sliding. Moreover, smooth edges will never hurt your hands.
- ✅【Heat Dissipation】 ：The top of the laptop stand is designed with multiple ventilation holes. The open design offers greater ventilation and more airflow to cool your laptop during operation other than it just lays flat on the table.
- ✅【Portable & Foldable】：The foldable design allows you to easily slip it in your backpack. Ideal for people who travel for business a lot.
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How do I return tabs to the top of Edge?
Select the Search tabs icon in the upper-left corner and choose Turn off Vertical Tabs. You can also press Ctrl+Shift+, (Comma) in desktop Edge to toggle between layouts.
Why is the Vertical Tabs option missing?
You may be using Edge on an unsupported mobile platform, an older or differently configured browser version, or a managed work or school device. An administrator can disable the feature with the VerticalTabsAllowed policy.
Can I use tab groups with vertical tabs?
Yes. Right-click a tab, or press and hold it, and select Add tab to a new group. Tab groups work whether tabs are displayed vertically or horizontally.
Why are some tabs gray in the vertical pane?
Gray or faded tabs are usually sleeping tabs. Edge has suspended them to save resources. Select one to resume it.
The Bottom Line
To enable the feature, select Edge’s upper-left Search tabs icon and choose Turn on Vertical Tabs. Use the side pane for clearer tab titles and tab groups, and select Turn off Vertical Tabs from the same menu whenever you want the traditional top tab strip back.
Quick Recap
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