Microsoft introduced Copilot Mode in Edge in July 2025, but it is no longer a separate mode: on May 13, 2026, the company said it was retiring it as related capabilities became part of Edge. Copilot Mode brought chat, search and browsing together; today, which Copilot features you can use depends on your settings, location, device and, for some features, subscription.
What happened to Copilot Mode in Edge?
Copilot Mode was an experimental, opt-in Edge experience that Microsoft announced on July 28, 2025. In its May 13, 2026 update, Microsoft said it was retiring the separate mode as its related capabilities became available directly in Edge. The 2025 launch description is therefore useful for understanding the feature, but it should not be read as a description of a still-separate current mode. Microsoft’s launch announcement and May 2026 update document those changes.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Microsoft said people who already used Copilot Mode would retain priority access to new capabilities through Copilot in Edge Preview, and that users could change this preference in settings. That is a transition path for existing users, not a promise that the original mode remains available to everyone.
What did Copilot Mode do?
At launch, the mode was available as an opt-in experiment for Edge on Windows and Mac, initially free for a limited time in Copilot markets. It combined chat, search and web navigation in a new-tab input and placed Copilot in a pane beside the page. If users permitted access, Copilot could use context from open tabs to answer questions across pages. The launch also described voice navigation and a setting to switch the mode off.
#1 Best Overall
- Brilliant Display – Stunning 13.8" PixelSense touchscreen[1], with brilliant LCD display[2], unleashes luminous whites, deeper blacks and colors so richly saturated bringing vivid life into every frame – perfect for work, school, streaming and creative tasks.
- Power that lasts all day – With 20 hours of battery life[3], the new Surface Laptop powers through your entire day, so you can create, work and stream from morning to night without reaching for a charger.
- Work at the speed of your ideas – Built with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite (12 Core) processors, Surface Laptop delivers fast, AI‑accelerated performance—making it the most powerful Surface laptop for everything from multitasking to demanding workloads.
- The ports you need – Charge on-the-go, transfer data fast, or create the ultimate desktop set up with two USB-C / USB4[4] ports.
- Built-in AI Companion – Work smarter, create freely, and communicate with confidence—Copilot[5] on Windows 11 is always there to help.
In October 2025, Microsoft expanded the pitch with Journeys, which grouped browsing around projects, and history-informed responses for users who opted in. It also introduced Copilot Actions for certain multi-step tasks. Microsoft described Actions and Journeys at that point as limited previews in the United States; those launch-era limits should not be treated as the current availability rules. Microsoft’s October 2025 update outlines that phase.
Which Copilot features are now in Edge?
Microsoft’s May 2026 update describes Copilot features built into Edge, including reasoning across open tabs, use of browsing history and past chats for more relevant answers when permitted, and Voice and Vision. It also lists quizzes, a redesigned new-tab page, Journeys, writing assistance and podcast generation. Availability differs by feature:
Rank #2
- With 16 GB of memory, runs as many programs as you want without losing the execution
- The 13.5" 2256 x 1504 screen provides a great movie watching experience
- 512 GB SSD is enough to store your essential documents and files, favorite songs, movies and pictures
- 8 Hours battery run time helps you stay unwired and work longer non-stop
| Capability | Availability Microsoft stated in May 2026 |
|---|---|
| Core Copilot capabilities | Available in all Copilot markets on desktop and mobile. |
| Journeys | Desktop in named English markets; mobile in the United States. |
| Writing assistance | United States. |
| Podcast generation | English-language Copilot markets; a Microsoft Account is required. |
| Browse with Copilot, the renamed successor to Copilot Actions | Edge desktop for Microsoft 365 Premium subscribers in the United States, subject to usage limits. |
These are the distinctions in Microsoft’s May 2026 availability update, not a guarantee that every account has every feature. Microsoft says availability can change; check Edge and Microsoft’s current availability notes for your market and account.
Recommended Free Tools
What permission and privacy controls matter?
The original mode required users to opt in and to permit open-tab access for multi-tab context. Microsoft said the interface would show visual cues when Copilot was viewing or listening, and that users could turn the mode on or off in settings. These are Microsoft’s descriptions of its design and controls, not an independent audit or guarantee about privacy.
Rank #3
- A PREMIUM PERFORMANCE LAPTOP — Ready for work, school, and creativity. Built for busy days, big projects, and nonstop multitasking. Run video calls, school and work apps, 20+ browser tabs, and AI tools at the same time without slowing down.
- WITH AI BUILT IN — With a dedicated AI chip (Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite), this Copilot+ PC[5] on Windows 11 helps you work smarter and faster. Prompt, create, and automate with ease - ready for even your most demanding tasks.
- A 13.8" TOUCHSCREEN YOU'LL ACTUALLY USE — Sharp colors, real detail, smooth 120Hz scrolling on the PixelSense touchscreen[1] with LCD display[2]. Tap, scroll, or pinch to zoom - whichever feels right for streaming, editing photos, or daily work.
- 20 HOURS OF BATTERY (LEAVE THE CHARGER) — Up to 20 hours of video playback[3] on a single charge. Work from a coffee shop, take it to class/work, or binge an entire season on a long flight — it'll keep up.
- THE PORTS YOU NEED — Two USB-C / USB4[4] ports for fast charging, big file transfers, or hooking up to three 4K monitors when you want a full desktop. Wi-Fi 7 keeps you online and fast wherever you are.
Do not confuse consumer Copilot Mode with Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat in Edge. Microsoft Learn says Edge may send prompt-relevant context with the user’s consent; examples include a page URL and title, the query and previous conversation history. For Copilot Chat, signed-in Microsoft Entra work or school accounts receive enterprise data protection for prompts and responses. Microsoft’s documentation, last updated February 20, 2026, explains the distinction: Copilot Chat in Edge.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to decide whether an Edge Copilot feature is useful
Rather than looking for the retired mode as a single product, check the particular capability you want. Before relying on it, verify:
Rank #4
- A PREMIUM PERFORMANCE LAPTOP — Ready for work, school, and creativity. Built for busy days, big projects, and nonstop multitasking. Run video calls, school and work apps, 20+ browser tabs, and AI tools at the same time without slowing down.
- WITH AI BUILT IN — With a dedicated AI chip (Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite), this Copilot+ PC[5] on Windows 11 helps you work smarter and faster. Prompt, create, and automate with ease - ready for even your most demanding tasks.
- A 15" TOUCHSCREEN YOU'LL ACTUALLY USE — Sharp colors, real detail, smooth 120Hz scrolling on the PixelSense touchscreen[1] with LCD display[2]. Tap, scroll, or pinch to zoom - whichever feels right for streaming, editing photos, or daily work.
- 19 HOURS OF BATTERY (LEAVE THE CHARGER) — Up to 19 hours of video playback[3] on a single charge. Work from a coffee shop, take it to class/work, or binge an entire season on a long flight — it'll keep up.
- Two USB-C / USB4[4] ports and a microSD card reader for fast charging, big file transfers, or hooking up to three 4K monitors when you want a full desktop. Wi-Fi 7 keeps you online and fast wherever you are.
- Feature: Is the task supported, such as using open tabs, generating a podcast or taking a multi-step action?
- Consent and settings: Does it need access to tabs, browsing history or other context, and have you enabled that access?
- Market and device: Is the feature offered in your country and on your desktop or mobile version of Edge?
- Account and limits: Does it require a Microsoft Account or Microsoft 365 Premium, or impose usage limits?
Microsoft’s May 2026 announcement is the relevant source for those feature-specific distinctions. Because the company says availability can change, the feature list and settings shown in your own Edge installation are the practical check.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Brilliant Display – Stunning 13.8" PixelSense touchscreen[1], with brilliant LCD display[2], unleashes luminous whites, deeper blacks and colors so richly saturated bringing vivid life into every frame – perfect for work, school, streaming and creative tasks.
- Power that lasts all day – With 20 hours of battery life[3], the new Surface Laptop powers through your entire day, so you can create, work and stream from morning to night without reaching for a charger.
- Work at the speed of your ideas – Built with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite (12 Core) processors, Surface Laptop delivers fast, AI‑accelerated performance—making it the most powerful Surface laptop for everything from multitasking to demanding workloads.
- The ports you need – Charge on-the-go, transfer data fast, or create the ultimate desktop set up with two USB-C / USB4[4] ports.
- Built-in AI Companion – Work smarter, create freely, and communicate with confidence—Copilot[5] on Windows 11 is always there to help.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
