It's no secret that Microsoft has been going all-in on artificial intelligence for quite some time. Bit by bit, it’s integrating AI into all its products—and the Edge browser is no exception. So, it’s no surprise that Copilot is becoming more seamlessly integrated to enhance both searches and the overall user experience.
But what’s interesting is that it was recently discovered that Microsoft is already testing a new “Copilot Mode” in Edge. This new feature takes AI integration to the next level, and it does so directly from the New Tab page. In this article, we’ll explain what’s new and why it could change the way you browse the web.
As we’ve already seen, Microsoft has been steadily improving how Copilot connects with the Edge browser. A clear example is the button in the sidebar, where you can ask the AI to summarize articles, explain content, or help you with whatever you're viewing online.
But that’s not all. Microsoft continues to push this integration further and is now testing something new: Copilot Mode. What’s different? On the new tab page, the traditional Bing icon disappears and is replaced by the Copilot icon.
What’s interesting is that when you use that search bar, you’re not performing a traditional search. Instead, you’re taken directly to the Copilot web interface. In other words, everything you type is sent straight to the AI assistant, which replies in a much more natural and precise way.
Read more: How to enable Copilot in the New Tab of Microsoft Edge
For now, Copilot Mode isn’t available to everyone automatically. If you want to try it out, you’ll need to enable it manually—and that’s only possible if you already have version 136 or higher of Edge.
The first thing you need to do is access the browser’s experimental features section. To do this, open Edge and type the following into the address bar: edge://flags. This will take you to a sort of “lab” where Microsoft hides features that are still in testing.
Once there, use the search bar and type “Copilot.” You’ll see several related options. Enable “Copilot Mode” and any other option that mentions Copilot. When you’re done, restart the browser to apply the changes.
But be careful—there’s still one more step. After restarting, go to Edge’s Settings, look for the Copilot Mode section, and there you’ll be able to activate it manually to start using it.
In this section, you'll find a couple of pretty interesting options. The first one is called “Copilot-Inspired New Tab Page.” If you enable it, Copilot takes over the screen you see every time you open a new tab, showing you that smart search bar we mentioned earlier.
The other option is “Contextual Cues.” What does it do? Essentially, it allows Copilot to give you more accurate responses by using what’s on your screen, your browsing history, and your preferences within Edge.
Now, if you’re concerned about privacy—don’t worry. This feature is disabled by default. It will only be activated if you choose to enable it manually, so you have full control.
As expected, Microsoft continues to strongly invest in bringing artificial intelligence to all its products—and Edge is no exception. In this case, the goal is clear: to make searching the internet easier, faster, and more personalized.
When you activate the new Copilot Mode, the first thing you’ll notice is that the new tab page changes completely. It now features a cleaner design, focused on AI, with much smarter search options.
The good news is that the answers Copilot provides are much more useful: it understands what you're viewing, can use context, and even tailors its responses based on what you need.
The truth is that while this new Copilot Mode might seem simple at first glance, it has the potential to completely transform the way we use web browsers. It’s fast, helpful, and could make a big difference in your everyday experience.