'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Hide the Microsoft 365 App Bar in a Web Browser
Question details
The user wants to remove or hide the Microsoft 365 app navigation bar on the left side of the browser to save screen space when using Outlook and other work applications.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Accessing Microsoft 365 web applications like Outlook, email, and calendars at work.
- Observed behavior
- The app launcher or navigation bar takes up space along the left side of the browser and cannot be easily removed.
Keep in mind that Microsoft 365 web interface updates frequently, and options to customize the navigation bar depend heavily on whether you are using a personal, work, or school account.
Maximize Workspace Using Browser Features and App Pinning
Since Microsoft does not allow completely disabling the bar, use full-screen mode and unpin unused apps to minimize distraction.
Currently, Microsoft 365 does not provide a native setting to completely hide or collapse the left-hand app navigation bar in the web browser. The most effective workaround is to maximize your browser window and declutter the bar itself.
Open your Microsoft 365 web application (like Outlook or Calendar) in your preferred browser, then press 'F11' on Windows or 'Ctrl + Cmd + F' on Mac to enter full-screen mode, maximizing your viewable area.
Right-click on any unused app icons on the left navigation bar and select 'Unpin' from the context menu to declutter the panel.
If you are in Outlook on the web, click the three horizontal lines (hamburger icon) at the top left to collapse the email folder pane, which frees up additional horizontal space.
Submit Feature Feedback to Microsoft
Request a built-in feature to hide the navigation bar by submitting feedback directly to Microsoft.
Try WPS Office for a Distraction-Free Desktop Experience
If web browser limitations and persistent navigation bars in Microsoft 365 are frustrating, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a clean, highly customizable desktop interface without forced sidebars, allowing you to focus on your documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. WPS Office is fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats and is completely free to use.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website to download and install the free desktop application.
- 2. Customize Your Workspace: Launch WPS Office and adjust your interface settings for a clean, distraction-free environment.
- 3. Open Existing Files: Directly open your existing Microsoft Office files and start working without relying on a web browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I completely hide the Microsoft 365 app bar?
Microsoft designed the left-side app bar as a persistent global navigation tool to seamlessly switch between web apps like Word, Excel, and Outlook. Currently, there is no built-in administrative or user setting to completely disable this panel.
Does the Microsoft 365 app bar appear on desktop applications?
The persistent left app navigation bar is primarily a feature of the Microsoft 365 web interface and the newer Outlook for Windows application. Traditional desktop apps like Word or Excel do not feature this web-style navigation bar.
How can I customize which apps appear on the navigation bar?
You can right-click on the app icons on the navigation bar and select 'Pin' or 'Unpin' to customize your list. You can also click the App Launcher (the waffle icon) at the top left corner to find more web applications to pin to your bar.
