How to add widgets to the Microsoft Edge home screen

Huy Dat Nguyen 115 Reputation points
2026-10-31T03:14:58.82+00:00

I have once seen the Firefox home screen with widgets, now I'm trying to do the same with Edge. On the internet they say there's a gear icon on the home screen that helps but mine doesn't. How can I do it now? The internet is not helping much, so I came here to ask.

My version: Version 156.0.4314.58

Reply ASAP (Human reply please),

Dat

Microsoft Edge | Tabs, address bar, and search | Windows 11
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  1. Vikki-T 12,960 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-10-31T12:59:11.2333333+00:00

    Hi Huy Dat Nguyen,

    The key point is that Microsoft Edge does not currently offer a built-in way to place Firefox-style widgets, such as a clock, calendar, weather panel, or notes, directly on its home or new-tab page.

    The gear icon mentioned in some guides is only for customizing the standard Edge new-tab layout and its available content. It is not an “Add widgets” button. Therefore, even if the gear icon appears, it would not provide the same widget system that you saw in Firefox.

    For similar functionality, you can either:

    • Press Windows key + W to open the separate Windows 11 Widgets board.
    • Use a new-tab dashboard extension from the Microsoft Edge Add-ons store, after carefully reviewing its permissions, privacy policy, and recent reviews.

    Please note that extensions available through the Edge Add-ons store are third-party products unless Microsoft is specifically listed as the publisher. Their features and privacy practices are controlled by their respective developers.

    In short, what you are trying to create is not supported natively on the Edge home screen, so the missing gear icon is not preventing you from accessing a hidden widget feature. I know this isn't the news you were hoping for, but I wanted to make sure you got the most accurate information about your situation. Thank you so much for your understanding.     

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-10-31T03:15:53.3766667+00:00

    Microsoft Edge does not provide Firefox-style arbitrary widgets on its standard home/new-tab page; it supports built-in items such as Quick Links, backgrounds, page layouts, and the Microsoft news/content feed.

    Customize Edge’s built-in new-tab items

    1. Open a new tab with Ctrl+T. The settings gear appears only on Edge’s standard new-tab page, not necessarily on a website configured as the home or startup page.
    2. Select Page settings (the gear icon) in the upper-right corner.
    3. Choose the layout, background, Quick Links, and content/feed options you want. Scroll down and select Personalize to adjust feed interests. ^1^

    These options customize Microsoft’s supplied modules; they do not provide a general system for placing arbitrary clock, weather, notes, or calendar widgets anywhere on the page.

    If the gear icon is missing

    Because you already cannot find the gear, check what has replaced or restricted the standard new-tab page:

    1. Open Settings and more (…) → Settings → Start, home, and new tab page.
    2. Review the new-tab setting and ensure an extension has not replaced it.
    3. Open Settings and more (…) → Extensions → Manage extensions.
    4. Temporarily turn off any extension described as a new-tab, start-page, dashboard, or homepage extension, and then open another new tab. Microsoft notes that extensions can change the new-tab page. ^2^

    If this is a work- or school-managed computer, enter edge://policy in the address bar. Policies can configure the new-tab location, Quick Links, and Microsoft content, so settings may be unavailable to the user. ^3^ In that case, the organization’s administrator must change the applicable policy.

    Adding more widget-like features

    For features beyond Edge’s built-in modules, use a reputable new-tab dashboard extension:

    1. Open Settings and more (…) → Extensions → Manage extensions.
    2. Select the option to obtain extensions for Microsoft Edge.
    3. Review the extension’s permissions and privacy terms before installing it—new-tab extensions can replace or alter the browser’s new-tab page. Microsoft requires such changes to be disclosed and made with user consent. ^4^

    Alternatively, Windows 11 has a separate Widgets board opened with Win+W. That board is part of Windows, not the Edge home screen.

    References

    1. Make the switch to Microsoft Edge | Microsoft Support
    2. Microsoft Edge Extensions: Frequently Asked Questions | Microsoft Support
    3. Microsoft Edge - Policies
    4. Developer policies for the Microsoft Edge Add-ons website
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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