Microsoft Rolls Out Copilot Mode in Edge Browser
Key Points
- Copilot Mode adds AI assistance to Microsoft Edge.
- Features include Actions (task automation) and Journeys (browsing history management).
- Available as a limited preview for U.S. users, with an on/off toggle.
- Edge joins AI‑focused browsers like ChatGPT Atlas, Comet, and Gemini.
- Microsoft limits data collection to improve user experience and protects privacy.
- The move intensifies competition with Chrome, Safari, and other browsers.
Microsoft has introduced Copilot Mode to its Edge browser, offering AI‑driven assistance such as Actions and Journeys. The feature, available in a limited preview for U.S. users, lets people talk to the browser, have it perform tasks, and revisit previous browsing sessions. Edge now joins competitors like OpenAI’s ChatGPT Atlas, Perplexity’s Comet, and Google’s Gemini in Chrome, intensifying the AI‑focused browser wars. Users can toggle the mode on or off, and Microsoft says data collection is limited to improving the experience while preserving privacy.
Background
Microsoft announced the launch of Copilot Mode for its Edge browser, positioning the update as part of a limited preview in the United States. The move comes as major browsers integrate generative AI features, with competitors such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT Atlas, Perplexity’s Comet, and Google’s Gemini already offering AI assistants within their browsers.
New Features
Copilot Mode introduces two primary capabilities: Actions and Journeys. Actions give Edge "agentic" abilities, allowing the browser to perform tasks on a user’s behalf. For example, users can speak to the browser and ask it to open a webpage or locate a specific portion of an article. Journeys remembers a user’s browsing history, organizing past sessions and helping users pick up where they left off, such as revisiting research for a new TV purchase.
Edge users who update to the latest version can enable Copilot via a toggle in the preview. The mode can be turned off at any time, and Microsoft emphasizes that only data needed to "improve your experience" is collected. Browsing history remains private unless the user opts in through the settings page.
Competitive Landscape
The introduction of Copilot Mode arrives amid a heated browser war driven by AI integration. Chrome currently dominates the market with a 71% share, while Safari follows, and Edge holds a smaller portion. Microsoft’s Edge once commanded a 95% share as Internet Explorer, but that dominance has faded. By adding AI-driven features, Microsoft aims to narrow the gap with Chrome and other AI‑enhanced browsers.
User Controls and Privacy
Microsoft assures users that privacy protections remain in place. The company states that data collection is limited to what is necessary for enhancing the user experience, and that personal browsing history cannot be accessed without explicit user consent. Users retain full control over the Copilot toggle, allowing them to enable or disable the AI assistant at will.