Microsoft is killing Copilot Mode in Edge, but AI features aren't going away

Microsoft is ending Edge Copilot Mode as standalone functionality, while adding broader AI capabilities like tab awareness, study tools, and podcasts.

Microsoft Edge may not be the frontrunner when it comes to web browsers available on the desktop and mobile, but Microsoft regularly introduces new features in order to entice more customers. Today, the company has announced a bunch of updates for its browser, which may please many users.

For starters, Microsoft is retiring Copilot Mode in Edge. Our readers may remember that the tech firm introduced this in July 2025 as an experiment. However, Microsoft believes that the features offered by Copilot Mode are now integrated directly in Edge, so it makes sense to retire it. Existing users will continue to get priority access to upcoming AI features through Edge Preview.

However, the fact that Copilot Mode is retired does not mean that Copilot is going away at all. In fact, on Edge mobile, Copilot can now reason across multiple open tabs so you don't need to manually switch context each time. Additionally, Journeys, which were previously only available on the desktop, are now available on mobile. This AI-powered capability basically divides your browsing history into meaningful topics.

Moreover, Vision and Voice features are available to more users on desktop and mobile. They enable you to activate and interact with Copilot using your voice, enabling the AI to see what's on your screen. Similarly, the redesigned new tab page is also rolling out to Edge mobile customers.

Other highlights, some new and some old, include:

• Long-term memory regarding browsing history, allowing Copilot to contextualize conversations with your past searches
• Study and Learn mode that breaks down topics into interactive quizzes and guided study sessions
• Copilot quizzes
• Writing assistant
• Creating a podcast by prompting Copilot with a topic

As is evident, Microsoft may be retiring Copilot Mode, but it's striving to make AI an essential part of your workflows. Naturally, some customers may have concerns around privacy, but Microsoft has emphasized you can simply customize your experience and turn off features that you don't need using Edge settings. Additionally, Microsoft only collects data necessary to improve your browsing experience or the data you consented to share via personalization settings.

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Posted Thursday 14 May 2026 at 7:19 am AEST (my time).

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