Microsoft Edge now comes with Copilot Mode, an AI-powered assistant built directly into the browser. It helps you summarize webpages, generate ideas, rewrite text, ask complex questions, analyze PDFs, and even assist with coding or research—all without switching tabs. If you’ve used Bing Chat before, Copilot Mode is its more integrated, browser-level upgrade.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to enable Copilot Mode in Microsoft Edge, how to access all its tools, and how to make the most out of this AI assistant on Windows 11.
How to Enable Copilot Mode in Microsoft Edge on Windows 11
Copilot Mode should be available by default in modern versions of Edge, but here’s how to ensure it’s enabled and visible.
1. Update Microsoft Edge to the Latest Version
Copilot Mode is only available in newer builds of Edge.
- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Click the three dots in the upper-right corner.
- Select Settings.
- Go to About Microsoft Edge.
- Edge will automatically check for updates.
- Install updates and restart if prompted.
Once updated, the Copilot icon should appear beside the address bar.
2. Turn On the Copilot Button (If Hidden)
Sometimes the Copilot button is disabled or hidden by settings.
- Open Settings in Edge.
- Go to Sidebar.
- Scroll and click Copilot.
- Turn on Show Copilot.
- Ensure Always show sidebar is toggled on.
You should now see the Copilot icon in your sidebar or toolbar.
3. Enable Copilot from the Sidebar Settings
If the Copilot panel doesn’t appear:
- Go to Settings > Sidebar.
- Click Customize sidebar.
- Enable Copilot under the available apps.
- Exit Settings.
This activates the Copilot panel and pins it to your sidebar.
4. Launch Copilot Mode from the Toolbar
Once Copilot is enabled, you can open it in one click:
- Click the Copilot icon (sparkle or AI icon) in the top-right of Edge.
- A right-hand sidebar will open with the Copilot chat panel.
This is where you can start typing prompts, generate summaries, or ask questions.
How to Use Copilot Mode in Microsoft Edge
Now that Copilot is enabled, here’s what you can do with it.
1. Summarize Any Webpage Instantly
Copilot can analyze the page you’re viewing and provide a short summary.
- Open any article or long webpage.
- Click the Copilot icon.
- Type:
- “Summarize this page.”
- Or click the built-in Summarize button, if available.
Copilot will scan the open tab and produce a concise summary.
2. Ask Questions About the Page You’re Reading
Instead of searching manually, you can ask Copilot context-aware questions like:
- “What are the key points of this page?”
- “Explain this in simpler terms.”
- “What are the pros and cons mentioned here?”
- “Give me an example based on this content.”
Copilot gives answers referencing the current tab.
3. Rewrite or Improve Any Text
You can paste text into the Copilot panel and ask it to:
- Rewrite
- Shorten
- Expand
- Make it formal
- Make it friendly
- Change tone
Useful for emails, blog posts, reports, and social media captions.
4. Generate Content on the Fly
Copilot can create:
- Emails
- Blog ideas
- Code snippets
- Project outlines
- Social media posts
- Research summaries
Ask something like:
- “Write me a professional email asking for a meeting.”
- “Give me five blog post ideas about Windows 11.”
- “Create a PowerShell script that checks disk usage.”
5. Use Copilot for Coding Assistance
Copilot understands context and helps with:
- Debugging snippets
- Explaining code
- Generating scripts
- Translating code between languages
Just paste your code and ask what you want.
6. Chat with Copilot While Browsing
You can keep the sidebar open as you browse, letting you:
- Look up definitions
- Translate text
- Get real-time help
- Research without leaving the page
This makes multitasking faster and more efficient.
7. Use Copilot for Shopping and Recommendations
Copilot can compare:
- Laptops
- Phones
- PC hardware
- Software tools
- Accessories
Try prompts like:
- “Compare the Surface Laptop 5 and MacBook Air.”
- “Recommend a good webcam under 100 dollars.”
8. Use Copilot for PDF Summaries
Copilot works inside Edge’s built-in PDF viewer.
- Open a PDF file in Edge.
- Click the Copilot button.
- Ask: “Summarize this PDF” or “Explain this paragraph.”
Great for reading reports, manuals, and research papers faster.
Wrapping Up
Copilot Mode in Microsoft Edge brings powerful AI tools directly into your browser, making it easier to summarize webpages, write text, analyze documents, generate ideas, and get instant help without switching tabs. By enabling Copilot from the sidebar and updating Edge to the latest version, you’ll have a personal assistant ready whenever you browse the web.
