Checking "Disable Edge Search Bar Widget" / Setting HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\WebWidget puts Edge in "Managed" mode

[PaulBernhardt]

If there is any value set for HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\WebWidget (which is what the Disable Edge Search Bar Widget checkbox does) then Edge behaves as if it is being managed by an organization. I noticed this because I could no longer set Edge to use a particular DNS, though presumably a bunch of configurations are then locked. Unchecking the box in OFBG just sets the key to false instead of true, which still leaves Edge in managed mode.

The documentation suggests this flag is deprecated so perhaps it could just be removed, but otherwise it would be ideal if unchecking the box deleted the registry key rather than making it false.

If anyone runs into this problem and would like to undo this, you can do so via these powershell commands, in an admin terminal:

set-location HKCU:\\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge
Remove-ItemProperty -Path . -Name "WebWidgetAllowed"

then just don't check the "Disable Edge Search Bar Widget" box again.

[Meyers07]

I'm putting back downloading a new version and instead use the command prompt solution as provided:
#6

UPDATE:
Any unlisted settings that it put under Policies will put Microsoft Edge into Managed mode, this include locking the DNS version. However, there's a workaround.
Here's the one i made myself from Reddit recommendations and the above issue to disable ALL ANNOYING EDGE RECOMMENDATIONS and turning secure DNS again though by inserting registry entries via batch file. Don't worry, you can peek at the code anytime using Notepad and you're free to use any of my codes (as i collect my codes from other sources)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/121Js_MXcFjhFvJ2Jc-qnHuBKyNwjAHjU/view?usp=drive_link

You can also turn off Managed Mode by removing all the entries inside the particular folder, as in:
go to REGEDIT (windowskey+r), type regedit, click yes,

paste
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge
to the address bar

and delete everything except for (default)