Microsoft Edge is killing off its Collections feature, leaving users scrambling to figure out what happens to their saved data

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Microsoft is discontinuing its Collections feature in Edge, which many people used to save and organize web links, notes, and research. The change isn’t going smoothly, with users facing potential data loss and a difficult process for moving their information. This raises familiar concerns about Microsoft abandoning features before they’ve been fully developed or widely adopted – or perhaps simply underutilized.

Your browser’s Collections feature is going away. You won’t be able to save new items to it anymore. To save what you’ve already collected, you can download it or move everything to your Favorites before it’s removed.

Below that message sit shortcuts to move pages to favorites or export your data.

Rumors of this retirement have been circulating for a while, but it now appears to be moving forward. The website Windows Report recently discovered a related message within the Edge Dev browser.

Edge’s current options don’t completely replicate the functionality of Collections. Saving pages as favorites means you’ll lose things like pictures and notes. While exporting your data as a CSV file keeps everything, it removes those items from your browser. Ultimately, there’s no way to keep all your Collections data directly within Edge.

Since we don’t know when Collections will be discontinued, it’s a good idea to move your data now if you currently use it.

Why is Microsoft Edge losing another feature?

I’m usually quick to point out when Microsoft takes away something people love, but I don’t believe that’s the case this time. It seems like most Edge users weren’t really using Collections.

Leo Varela, a close follower of Microsoft Edge, pointed out on X that many users stopped using the Collections feature after Microsoft changed it from a built-in part of the browser to a web app.

After Microsoft switched from a built-in version of this feature to one that runs online, most people stopped using it. If Microsoft eventually removes it completely, it’s unlikely to be a significant loss for users. For more details, see: https://t.co/DogOUP0zNNDecember 11, 2025

It’s possible Microsoft’s changes actually made Collections less appealing, leading to fewer people using it. Currently, though, Collections isn’t used very often compared to other features in Edge.

Collections and the Edge Sidebar are facing different issues. While Collections seems to be undergoing changes, the Sidebar might be discontinued altogether, as its app list is being removed.

Microsoft says they’re streamlining Edge, but it seems like the Edge Sidebar and Copilot are now competing for the same screen space. It’s hard not to see some overlap between the two features.

I don’t usually gamble, but if I had to, I’d confidently pick Microsoft to prioritize Copilot above all else. They’re so committed to it, they’re even redesigning the Edge browser around it.

As I’ve observed the evolution of Edge, it seems to have moved away from its original purpose. When Microsoft rebuilt it on the Chromium engine, it initially felt like a great alternative to Chrome, offering a similar experience without Google’s influence, and with some really useful additions. But lately, I feel it’s lost some of that initial focus.

If you’ve been using Edge for a while, this probably feels familiar. Microsoft often releases features that seem great at first, but then doesn’t fully support them, eventually discontinuing them and leaving users to figure out how to save their information. Whether you think this is just Microsoft streamlining things or another sign they’re neglecting basic features, it’s clear that this makes it harder to rely on Edge’s overall system.

What are your thoughts on Microsoft Edge as it is today? Do you believe the browser is improving and moving in a positive direction?

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2026-01-17 18:41