Microsoft Edge — already a popular browser — has now been rebranded in its mobile versions (Android and iOS) as “Microsoft Edge: AI Browser”. This name reflects a deeper integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the browser itself, mainly through a feature called Copilot.
In simpler words: it’s not just a browser now. It’s a smarter, more helpful browser that tries to understand what you're doing, helps you search, summarizes things, and can even do tasks for you — all using AI.
Why Microsoft Did This: The Big Picture
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AI Everywhere
Microsoft is pushing hard to incorporate AI into its tools. Copilot Mode in Edge is part of that strategy: a way to make web browsing more than just visiting pages — it becomes a collaborative experience. (Windows Blog) -
Competition
There are more “AI browsers” now. Microsoft probably doesn’t want to be left behind as rivals try to bake AI more deeply into their browser and search offerings. (TechCrunch) -
Productivity
Copilot Mode isn’t just for asking questions. It helps with multi-tab research, comparing information, doing tasks (like bookings), and retracing your browsing journey. This can save time and make web browsing more efficient. (MacRumors) -
Privacy with Control
Microsoft emphasizes that these AI features are opt-in. You decide how much Copilot can access (tabs, history, credentials), and you can turn it on or off. (Windows Blog)
Key Features of Edge’s Copilot Mode
Here are the most important AI-powered capabilities of Edge now:
1. Unified Search, Chat & Navigation
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When you open a new tab in Copilot Mode, you see a single input box that works for search, chat, or navigating to a URL. (TechCrunch)
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Instead of switching between multiple interfaces, you can just type or talk here, and Copilot helps you with whatever you need. (Windows Blog)
2. Cross‑Tab Intelligence
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Copilot can analyze multiple open tabs (if you allow it) and compare the information in them. (Medium)
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This is super useful when you are researching something complicated or comparing products across different sites. (TechCrunch)
3. Voice‑Driven Actions (“Copilot Actions”)
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You can speak to Copilot: tell it what to do — like open a page, search for something, or make a reservation. (Windows Blog)
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Some “agentic” tasks are supported, meaning Copilot can try to do things for you (with your permission) — for example, unsubscribing from emails, booking, or making lists. (Windows Blog)
4. Journeys: Smart Browsing History
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The Journeys feature organizes your past browsing into topics or “projects.” (MacRumors)
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So if you were researching laptops, for example, Copilot groups those tabs together and suggests what to read next or where to continue. (Windows Blog)
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These journeys help you resume where you left off, without manually finding old tabs. (Windows Blog)
5. Context from History & Credentials (Optional)
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You can give permission to Copilot so it accesses your browsing history or saved credentials. (Windows Blog)
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That way, Copilot gets more context and can help more deeply, like filling forms or making bookings. (India Today)
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But Microsoft says it's always your choice — you’re in control. (Windows Blog)
6. Copilot Vision
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A new feature called Copilot Vision lets Copilot “see” your screen, analyze it, and then suggest things or give insights. (Microsoft)
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For example, if you’re looking at an image or a webpage, Copilot can help explain or act on what it understands on the screen.
7. Security: AI-powered Scareware Blocker
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Edge now has an AI‑powered scam blocker (called “scareware blocker”) that runs locally (on your computer) and tries to detect scammy full-screen pages. (Windows Blog)
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When it detects a suspicious page, Edge exits full screen, stops any audio, and shows a warning. (The Verge)
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This helps protect you without sending all your browsing data to the cloud. (The Verge)
Pros and Benefits
Here are some of the big advantages of using Edge as an AI browser:
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Efficient Research: With multi‑tab understanding, Copilot can summarize or compare content, saving you from manually switching tabs.
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Time Saver on Tasks: Copilot Actions can handle simple tasks, like unsubscribing or booking, so you spend less time doing repetitive work.
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Better Memory: Journeys let you pick up your research or browsing projects where you left off, without getting lost in tabs.
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Voice Input: Good for users who prefer speaking rather than typing.
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Privacy Options: You choose how much data Copilot can see; you’re not forced to share everything.
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Safer Browsing: The scareware blocker adds a layer of protection against malicious sites.
Challenges & Potential Drawbacks
Of course, nothing is perfect. Here are some limitations and concerns to keep in mind:
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Experimental Feature
Copilot Mode is still considered “experimental” by Microsoft. (TechCrunch) -
Limited Access
Some advanced features (like voice actions or Journeys) are in preview and may be limited to certain regions (e.g., U.S.). (MacRumors) -
Permission Required
For Copilot to do more, it needs access to tabs, history, or credentials. Some users may be uncomfortable giving that level of access. -
Cost Risk
While Copilot Mode is free now, Microsoft says this is “for a limited time.” (Tom's Hardware) -
AI Mistakes
As with any AI, there’s a risk of “hallucinations” (wrong or misleading output), so users need to verify things. -
Resource Use
Running AI features might use more system resources (memory, CPU) compared to a regular browser, especially on older machines.
Use Cases: How People Can Really Use It
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Students & Researchers: Great for summarizing long articles, comparing study material, and organizing research across tabs.
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Shoppers: Compare products across sites, ask Copilot to find deals, or even build shopping lists.
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Writers / Bloggers: Use Copilot to brainstorm, summarize web content, or extract key points.
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Professionals: Let Copilot handle scheduling tasks, booking, or summarizing meeting-relevant web pages.
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Everyday Users: Use voice commands to open tabs, read content, or get contextual help without leaving your page.
Privacy & Safety Considerations
Because AI is involved, privacy naturally becomes a big concern. Here’s how Microsoft handles it and what you should think about:
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Opt‑in by Default: Copilot Mode is not forced. You have to turn it on, and for more powerful features, you need to grant permissions. (Windows Blog)
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Visual Indicators: When Copilot is active (listening, analyzing), there are cues so you know it's working. (Windows Blog)
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Limited Data Collection: Microsoft states they only collect data needed to improve your experience or what you explicitly allow. (Windows Blog)
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Local AI for Some Tasks: The scareware blocker works locally on your machine, reducing the need to send data over the cloud. (The Verge)
How to Try Copilot Mode (Step‑by‑Step)
If you want to try this AI-powered browser experience, here’s how to do it:
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Update Edge
Make sure you have the latest version of Microsoft Edge installed on your PC (Windows or Mac). Copilot Mode is available for supported versions. (Windows Blog) -
Enable Copilot Mode
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Go to Edge settings.
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Find the option for Copilot Mode and toggle it on. (Windows Blog)
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Accept the permissions if you want to allow Copilot to access your tabs or history (optional).
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Start Using It
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Open a new tab and you’ll see the unified input box (search/chat/navigation).
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Try asking a question, or tell Copilot to compare information across open tabs.
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Use voice commands (if available) to ask Copilot to do actions. (Windows Blog)
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Explore Journeys: see how it groups your browsing into topics.
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Give Feedback / Adjust Settings
Since it’s experimental, Microsoft encourages feedback. (Windows Blog)
You can also disable Copilot or change permissions anytime.
Real-World Reactions & Expert Views
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TechCrunch calls Copilot Mode a significant step toward making browsing more “agentic” — meaning the AI doesn’t just assist, it acts. (TechCrunch)
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Windows Central reports that Copilot Actions and Journeys are being rolled out, giving Edge AI deeper integration into how people actually browse. (Windows Central)
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Indian Express highlights that Copilot Mode is “optional” and focuses on faster research, and that Copilot can access all tabs or history only if allowed. (The Indian Express)
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EDGE for Business: Microsoft is preparing a version for enterprises — where Copilot can run in a controlled, secure way with added protections. (Microsoft)
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Security: The newly introduced AI scareware blocker is being praised. It uses computer vision to recognize scammy full-screen sites and blocks them. (The Verge)
The Future: What’s Coming (and What to Expect)
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Broader Rollout
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Features like Copilot Actions and Journeys are currently in preview in limited regions (for example, U.S.). Microsoft will likely expand them. (Windows Blog)
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More Agentic Tasks
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Copilot may soon do even more: with the right permissions, it could handle tasks like booking flights, making reservations, or filling forms using saved credentials. (India Today)
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Enhanced Vision
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Copilot Vision could get smarter, analyzing screenshots, photos, or complicated pages to give better help. (Microsoft)
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Enterprise Version
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For business users, Edge for Business will likely bring more secure AI browsing, with control over what Copilot can do and see. (Microsoft)
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AI‑Driven Browser Security
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Expect more AI-based security tools, like the scareware blocker, to evolve. Microsoft might use on-device machine learning more aggressively. (Windows Blog)
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Subscription Model?
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Though it's free now, “limited time free” suggests a possible subscription or paid tier in the future. (Tom's Hardware)
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Conclusion: Is It Worth Trying?
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Yes, if you are someone who researches a lot, multitasks with many tabs, or wants help organizing your web journey.
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Yes, if you like using voice commands and want a smarter, more interactive browser.
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Maybe, if you're cautious about privacy — because while Copilot is very powerful, some of its capabilities require giving it access to your browsing data.
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Try it, because right now, Copilot Mode is free (in invited regions) and opt-in. You can always turn it off if you don’t like it.
Final Thoughts
“Microsoft Edge: AI Browser” isn’t just a marketing name — it reflects a real shift in how Microsoft thinks about the web. With Copilot Mode, the browser becomes your AI companion, not just a tool to navigate the web. It can research, it can act, it can remember, and it can protect — all while giving you control.
If AI is going to be a part of our future, Microsoft Edge is positioning itself right at the center of that future browsing experience.