The present invention is directed to a method and system for allowing a user to control the user interface environment and specifically a sidebar within the user interface environment. The method controls tiles within a sidebar to respond to a manipulation request by a system user or by an application to manipulate a selected tile. The method includes determining a current status of the selected tile and selecting an appropriate rule for manipulating the tile based on the status of the tile and an identity of the manipulation requestor. One rule set is provided for the application and another rule set is provided for the user. The method further includes manipulating the selected tile in accordance with the appropriate rule. The user rules allow insertion of the tile in most, if not all cases, whereas the application rules may prohibit insertion of the selected tile.