Here is what the brand new ‘Copilot Mode’ inside Edge appears to be like like

[ad_1]

Microsoft has begun including Copilot to the “new tab” web page of Microsoft Edge, as anticipated — probably making you yearn for the present crazy-quilt structure as a substitute.

Typically, browser makers help you both open a predetermined residence web page whenever you open a brand new tab, or else populate it with a wide range of completely different content material. On Edge, a brand new tab appears to be like much like the Widgets menu within the decrease left. However a change is coming.

In line with a Microsoft Edge assist web page, on the finish of Could Edge customers may even see a Copilot subject, along with steered prompts, after they open a brand new tab. In line with Home windows Newest, that is a part of what Microsoft has begun calling “Copilot Mode,” a particular toggle that lets you “check out the most recent AI searching improvements,” in response to the positioning.

I’m not seeing this in my “reside” browser but, and neither is Home windows Newest. Nevertheless, the positioning did uncover that the choice could be turned on by way of Edge’s inbuilt “flags,” or developer choices, to get an thought of what this can appear to be. You possibly can see the identical.

Basically, the “new tab” expertise inside Copilot Mode in Edge opens up a brand new tab that’s virtually totally naked apart from a Copilot immediate beneath the query, “How can I make it easier to right this moment?” Beneath the immediate subject are barely completely different selections than Microsoft presents elsewhere, as the primary possibility is to “Search and Chat” somewhat than a listing of fashions. Edge then presents a sequence of small icons beneath, which appear to be websites that you simply’ve just lately considered.

<img decoding="async" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Copilot-Mode-1.png?w=1200" alt="Microsoft Copilot Mode 1 tight" class="wp-image-2795547" width="1200" height="656" loading="lazy"/> Mark Hachman / Foundry

Your queries appear to be despatched to Microsoft’s Copilot website, the place they’re answered as a part of the Copilot interface, with embedded advertisements, hyperlinks, and so forth. I additionally observed a big change: Microsoft isn’t offering hyperlinks in any respect, except you particularly ask for them. Put one other approach, Copilot will fortunately level you to a listing of greatest laptops for school college students, with hyperlinks to purchase them at varied on-line storefronts. After I searched, it wouldn’t let you know the sources for these suggestions with out asking.

Happily, Microsoft appears to be making you soar via hoops to allow this new expertise. For now, you’ll need to allow the varied flags contained in the developer mode. Second, you’ll need to manually allow the “Copilot Mode” your self, even when that have turns into out there.

Methods to take a look at Copilot Mode inside Microsoft Edge

Testing Copilot Mode inside Microsoft Edge isn’t troublesome, and doesn’t require downloading a separate browser. Within the search bar, merely kind Edge://flags, which can allow the menu. There are dozens of flags to select from, and the warning on the prime applies: Merely enabling flags willy-nilly might trigger your browser to crash and so that you can lose knowledge.

Within the case of Copilot Mode, nonetheless, enabling the “Edge Copilot Mode” and “Enable Copilot Search” appeared to work. Observe that you simply’ll need to restart your browser to get these options to work, even after the flag is toggled on.

To truly activate Copilot Mode, you’ll have to toggle on the function by clicking your person icon and choosing the suitable icon. Then, whenever you open a brand new tab, you’ll see the display that’s beneath the drop-down menu possibility.

Presumably, leaving Copilot Mode on will sign Microsoft so as to add any new AI-powered options after they’re prepared.

<img decoding="async" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Microsoft-Copilot-Mode-primary.jpg?quality=50&strip=all&w=1200" alt="Microsoft Edge Copilot Mode primary" class="wp-image-2795549" width="1200" height="913" loading="lazy"/> Mark Hachman / Foundry

Microsoft additionally features a small listing of settings so that you can modify throughout the Edge settings menu. I manually looked for “Copilot Mode,” however there seems to be a chosen shortcut within the left-hand navigation menu, too.

Observe that the “Context clues” function seems to permit Edge and Copilot entry to your browser historical past. That may end in higher solutions, nevertheless it’s additionally a possible privateness threat. Nevertheless, Microsoft doesn’t help you management this function individually.

<img decoding="async" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Copilot-Mode-settings.png?w=1200" alt="Microsoft Edge Copilot Mode settings" class="wp-image-2795548" width="1200" height="922" loading="lazy"/> Mark Hachman / Foundry

Microsoft appears to really feel that customers will start turning to AI-powered search, and is pushing Copilot into each nook and cranny of your PC.

Personally, I discover that the present “new tab” web page, even with the loopy mixture of tales and content material, not less than showcases the analysts, journalists, and bloggers who create the content material that Copilot appears decided to applicable with out attribution. I’m sticking with it for now.