Edge Stable Gets Google Account Sign-In Support, But Retires Sidebar App List

Microsoft is overhauling Edge experience with two big changes with the release of Version 150.0.4078.48. One makes it easier for millions of Google users to get started with the browser, while the other quietly retires a feature that has been part of Edge for years.

The biggest addition is support for Google account sign-in. Microsoft has confirmed that users can now sign in to Edge using a Google account instead of being limited to a Microsoft account.

The option appears directly from the browser’s profile menu and the Edge sign-in screen, making it easier for users already invested in Google’s ecosystem to start syncing their browsing profile.

The feature is rolling out on both Windows and macOS. However, Microsoft notes that it’s part of a controlled rollout, meaning it may not appear for everyone immediately.

For enterprise customers, Microsoft says administrators can decide whether the feature is available by using the NonMicrosoftAccountSignInEnabled policy. It apparently gives organizations control over whether non-Microsoft accounts are allowed inside Edge.

Speaking of changes, Microsoft is also preparing to retire the Sidebar app list. According to the company’s latest Edge release notes, users will no longer be able to pin new apps to the sidebar. Meanwhile existing pinned apps will disappear in a future update.

Moreover, Microsoft also says sidebar app management policies will stop working once the feature is fully removed.