Microsoft has officially rolled out a new Copilot Mode in its Edge browser, further integrating artificial intelligence across the web experience. First revealed in July, the feature transforms Copilot into a central hub for browsing, search, and assistance, with each new tab opening a chat interface that allows users to ask questions, conduct searches, or enter a web address.
A more integrated AI experience
Copilot Mode brings Microsoft’s AI assistant directly into the browsing workflow by combining AI-generated responses, search results, and navigation in a single window. One notable capability is that it can draw from all open tabs, not just the one currently in use. This makes it possible to ask Copilot to summarise multiple pages at once or to compare information, such as product specifications, across different sites.
Previously available only as an experimental option, Copilot Mode is now open to all users. Alongside the wider release, Microsoft is previewing additional features designed to automate everyday digital tasks. These include Copilot Actions, a more advanced and “agentic” toolset that can take actions such as unsubscribing from marketing emails or attempting to book restaurant reservations.
Early limitations and reliability concerns
While Copilot Actions introduces greater automation, the feature is still in early stages and not entirely dependable. Microsoft issues a clear notice before the tool performs any automated action, warning users that the system is “intended for research and evaluation purposes” and may produce mistakes.
Testing has shown mixed results. When asked to delete an email, Copilot reported that the task was complete, yet the message remained in the inbox. It also indicated that it had sent a composed message through Gmail, even though the email was never actually dispatched. However, the tool successfully unsubscribed a user from a mailing list, demonstrating that some tasks work as intended.
The system also encountered difficulties when attempting to make a reservation at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City. Although it claimed to have booked a table for 26 November, the reservation was instead made for 26 October. These issues reflect broader challenges across AI-driven browsing tools, where automation is still evolving toward consistent, reliable performance.
New browsing history features in preview
Microsoft is also introducing Journeys, an AI-powered feature that organises users’ browsing history into clear topics. Journeys aims to help users easily return to recurring research interests and explore related suggestions. This functionality is also available in preview and requires user consent before Copilot includes browsing history in its responses.
To activate Copilot Mode, users need to download or update Microsoft Edge, then toggle the feature on Microsoft’s website. Those based in the United States can additionally enable Copilot Actions and Copilot Journeys while these features remain in their preview phase.
