Microsoft has started adding an interface for interacting with the artificial intelligence assistant Copilot to every new tab that opens in the Edge browser. While most browsers open new tabs to a specific page or a set of widgets, Microsoft is introducing a new approach, as noted by PCWorld.
According to the Microsoft support page, by the end of May, all Edge users will see a field for sending a message to Copilot, along with a selection of suggested prompts. Some users have already encountered this new functionality, called “Copilot Mode”. A toggle is available that lets users “try out the latest AI innovations in browsing [websites].”
To activate the feature, users need to go to the settings section accessed by typing edge://flags in the address bar. There, the options “Edge Copilot Mode” and “Allow Copilot Search” must be enabled, followed by restarting the browser. Afterward, “Copilot Mode” also needs to be turned on manually via a dropdown menu accessible by clicking the profile picture.
New Features and Privacy Considerations
Once enabled, each new tab in Edge presents a field for entering either a traditional search query or a question directed to Copilot. It also includes suggested query buttons and icons for recently visited websites. All input is processed through the Microsoft Copilot service and displayed in the standard format. However, it’s worth noting that responses do not include links to external sites unless users explicitly request them.
Microsoft appears to be positioning Copilot Mode as the default setting for future AI innovations in the browser. Users who keep this mode on will likely receive early access to upcoming AI features, notes NIX Solutions. In fact, the Edge settings menu already includes several new options. One of them, “Context hints”, grants Copilot access to the browser history to improve the chatbot’s responses. However, this comes with a tradeoff in terms of privacy—this specific function cannot be managed independently.
Microsoft continues to test and expand Copilot’s capabilities. We’ll keep you updated as more integrations become available.