Productivity Tip: Vertical Tabs in Edge
We’ve all been there—20+ tabs open across the top of your screen, each one a tiny sliver with a barely recognizable icon or half a title. You click one. Nope. Try another. Still wrong. Tab fatigue sets in.
If that sounds familiar, it’s time to try a better layout: Vertical Tabs in Microsoft Edge.
Why Vertical Tabs Are a Game Changer
Instead of stacking tabs left to right—where they get crunched and unreadable—Edge lets you flip them into a vertical list on the left side of your screen. It’s a small but powerful change to the way that you navigate your browser.
The difference is instant:
- See full page titles—no more guessing from a favicon or half a word
- Keep your place—especially helpful when juggling multiple projects or research threads
- Collapse/expand the sidebar—regain space when you need it
- Stay focused—group and navigate tabs without cognitive overload
It’s one of those subtle changes that instantly makes your browsing feel less chaotic and more controlled.
How to Turn on Vertical Tabs
It’s quick and easy:
- In Microsoft Edge, click the ellipsis (⋯) in the top-right corner.
- Go to Settings > Appearance.
- Find the Tab Actions menu.
- Toggle “Show vertical tabs” to enable it for all browser windows.
Once it’s on, your tabs will shift to the left-hand sidebar. You can collapse it entirely for a clean view—or keep it open for full titles and easy navigation.
Pro Tip: Combine Vertical Tabs with Split Screen
Want next-level multitasking? Use Edge’s Split Screen feature to view two tabs side by side—within the same window.
Then pair that with Windows’ native Snap Assist (Windows key + left/right arrows), and you can get:
- Two browser tabs side-by-side
- Or four different apps across one or more screens
Perfect for side-by-side comparisons, reading and writing, or watching a demo while taking notes. Here’s what that could look like:
Final Thought: Clarity > Clutter
Your browser shouldn’t be a battlefield. And tabs shouldn’t feel like a memory test.
Vertical Tabs in Edge is a simple shift—but one that brings clarity, organization, and a bit of calm to your digital workspace. I’ve been a long-time user of the Split Screen and Snap Assist features in Windows. But this feature cranks everything up to 11. Try it once. You’ll wonder how you managed without it.
