Microsoft has launched “Copilot Mode,” a new feature that turns its Edge browser into an AI-powered assistant that can understand what you’re doing online and help with various tasks.
The experimental mode, released on July 28, 2025, aims to change how people browse the web by having the AI work alongside users rather than just waiting for commands.
“It doesn’t just wait idly for you to click but anticipates what you might want to do next,” explains Sean Lyndersay, Vice President of Product for Microsoft Edge. “It doesn’t just give you endless tabs to sift through but works with you as a collaborator that makes sense of it all.”
When turned on, Copilot Mode changes how Edge looks. Opening a new tab shows a clean page with a single box that combines chat, search, and web navigation. With permission, the AI can see all open tabs to understand what the user is researching.
This multi-tab awareness helps with practical tasks like comparing vacation rentals or products across different websites. Instead of switching between tabs, users can ask Copilot which option has specific features or is closest to a location.
Voice commands are another key feature. Users can speak directly to Copilot about finding information on a page or opening tabs to compare products, reducing the need for clicking and typing.
Future updates will let Copilot access browser history and saved passwords to handle more complex tasks like making restaurant reservations or organizing browsing history into topic-based journeys.
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Privacy concerns are addressed with Microsoft promising that Copilot Mode is completely optional. “With Copilot Mode, you can also choose to turn the experience on and off as you wish through your Edge settings,” Lyndersay notes. Visual indicators will show when Copilot is viewing or listening.
The move comes as browser competition heats up with AI integration. According to Statcounter data, Edge holds just under 5% of the global browser market compared to Google Chrome’s 68%. Google has already begun adding its Gemini AI to Chrome, while newer browsers like Perplexity’s Comet and Opera Neon offer similar AI features.
Microsoft’s Copilot Mode is free “for a limited time” for Windows and Mac users in regions where Copilot is available. The company hasn’t specified how long the free period will last or what costs might follow.
This shift toward AI-powered browsing represents a significant change in how people interact with the internet. While some users will welcome having an AI assistant that can simplify complex tasks, others may have concerns about giving an AI access to their browsing habits.
As browser companies race to integrate AI, the key question remains: will these features meaningfully improve the browsing experience, or just add complexity to what has traditionally been a straightforward tool
