Microsoft Edge is about to lose yet another one of my favorite features. Edge Drop is being — ahem — dropped in favor of AI.

The latest version of Edge Canary shows a message about the change if you open the Drop feature:

"Drop is being retired. Files you share are saved in your OneDrive. Text notes need to be downloaded separately."

Microsoft does not specifically state why Drop is being retired. I believe the reason is a combination of low usage and Microsoft wanting the same space in Edge to house Copilot. We saw a similar development with the retirement of the Edge Sidebar.

Leo Varela discovered the upcoming retirement and shared screenshots on X.

I once called Microsoft Edge Drop "the best browser feature you're not using." That may have proven to be a little too accurate, because the feature is now being retired. Presumably, usage of Edge Drop was low, making other parts of the browser a higher priority.

What is Microsoft Edge Drop?

Edge Drop is a feature within the browser that lets you send messages, files and photos to yourself. All your content stays within a single thread, making it easy to find. The experience is powered by OneDrive, which is why you can still access your content after Drop is retired.

When you send something through Drop, it appears on any instance of Edge on supported devices, which currently includes desktop and mobile versions of the browser.

Drop lives within the Sidebar of Edge on your desktop, which is likely why the feature is going away. Microsoft has prioritized placing Copilot in the same spot as the Sidebar and Drop.

I think there's a way for all the Sidebar features and Copilot to coexist. Low usage figures are likely another factor in the retirement of Drop. While I love Drop, it's similar to sending messages to yourself through WhatsApp, Telegram, or any other messaging service.

The reality may be that people who want to send messages to themselves want to do so without having to use a specific browser on multiple devices.

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We’ve been running our new Quote of the Day segment for a few weeks, but I recently came across an intriguing line from former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, taken from a 2009 TechCrunch interview (via Fortune).

"The most successful by far is Firefox," Ballmer indicated. "Chrome is a rounding error to date. Safari is a rounding error to date. But Firefox is not. The fact that there’s a lot of competitors probably is to our advantage."

For context, Microsoft dominated the browser market at the time with Internet Explorer, which controlled about 74% of the global share. Google had only just launched Chrome in 2008, but competing was tough since Internet Explorer came pre‑installed as the default on Windows PCs, giving Microsoft an enormous advantage.

“It could have been demoralizing,” Google CEO Sundar Pichai admitted at a commencement address at Stanford University. “But with that California optimism, I told the team that the fact he went out of his way to dismiss us meant we were doing something right.”

The executive didn't discount that Chrome showed early success and momentum, but that triumph was short‑lived as user growth plateaued under various constraints. However, Pichai and his team didn't let up.

Fast forward to 2026, Google now runs the browser show with a massive 70.25% hold of the market share. Microsoft Edge comes in at a distant third with 5.14% of the market share.

Microsoft has been placed under fire by companies like Mozilla in the past for allegedly using "harmful designs and deceptive tactics" to give Edge a competitive advantage over other browsers on Windows 11.

The Firefox maker recently accused Microsoft of using 'dark patterns' to force its Copilot AI on Windows 11 users. It outrightly suggested that Microsoft's "intentional" re-direction with Copilot was only prompted by overwhelming feedback from users. "They’re really admitting that they made repeated choices to serve their business over their customers," Mozilla added.

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For the longest time, signing into Microsoft Edge has been tied exclusively to a Microsoft account. In practice, that meant logging into the Chromium-based browser with a Google account was virtually impossible. Well, until now.

A new Microsoft roadmap entry (ID 565860) reveals that the company is preparing to let users sign into Microsoft Edge with a Google account (via Neowin).

To that end, the feature is still in development, but it should ship to broad availability by July 2026. This is a welcome change and could make Microsoft Edge more appealing to users who don't necessarily care about the mandatory Microsoft Account requirement when signing in to the browser.

It's a refreshing change of pace and direction for Microsoft, especially given that it had categorically stated in 2020 that it had no plans to integrate Google services into Microsoft Edge by default, even though it was one of the most requested features at the time.

At least, that's one less place you have to worry about Microsoft Account being a mandatory requirement. Of course, it goes without saying that signing into Microsoft Edge with a Microsoft Account comes with many perks, including seamless syncing across devices, tighter integration with Microsoft services like OneDrive and Outlook, and enhanced security.

Elsewhere, Microsoft recently announced that Edge would be moving to a two-week release cycle for major versions of the browser, similar to Google's approach with Chrome.

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Microsoft has announced a major update to the release schedule for its Edge web browser on all platforms that will see the company release new versions of the app on a much faster cadence; now every two weeks instead of once a month.

"Microsoft Edge is moving to a two-week release cycle, bringing new features and improvements to users and organizations faster than ever," says Microsoft in a blog post published earlier today. "For customers on Stable, the practical effect of the new cycle is smaller, steadier change. Each release brings about half as much new content as before, delivered twice as often."

This means that although the browser will be updated more often, users are unlikely to notice an uptick in feature quantity. The more frequent updates will be half as big, which should balance out to about the same amount of features and changes being delivered monthly.

Microsoft says that this change is good for users and enterprises as it means "security and platform improvements reach your users faster, and each change set is smaller, which can make validation more manageable."

For those uninterested in a faster update cycle for Microsoft Edge, the company already offers a longer-term servicing channel known as Stable Extended which isn't changing schedule. This release channel is updated once every two months, and that's remaining unchanged.

For everyone else on the normal Stable channel, Microsoft says to expect this new two-week release cycle to kick into gear with Edge 152, which is expected to debut on August 27. That means Edge Stable has just a couple of more months on the current release schedule before things are kicked up a notch.

This change is taking place to align with Google Chrome, which announced that it too was moving to a two week release cycle back in March.

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Last month, I reported on Microsoft's plans to retire SMS codes for authentication and account recovery on personal Microsoft accounts. The company stated that SMS-based authentication is a leading source of fraud, and outlined its plans to replace it with more secure options, such as passkeys, authenticator apps, and verified email addresses.

And now, a similar change is making its way to Microsoft’s Chromium-based web browser, Edge. The company recently removed support for the Master Password feature. Microsoft first announced the change during the rollout of Edge version 145, noting its plan to end support for master passwords in the browser’s password manager on June 4, 2026 (via TechRadarPro).

Microsoft is replacing the master password feature in Edge with device-based authentication methods such as Windows Hello (PIN, fingerprint, or facial recognition). The company views Windows Hello as more secure and convenient compared to the custom primary password arrangement. This is because it is less susceptible to sophisticated attacks by bad actors since they'll need your fingerprint, face, or iris scan to access your account.

For context, a master password is designed to let you unlock and access all your online accounts. However, it can be viewed as a risk, especially if a third party knows your custom primary password. This means they can access sensitive data without your consent.

Alternatively, you can use your Windows PC's login, which is restricted to your device's hardware and won't send authentication data to the cloud.

While Windows Hello will seemingly make your passwords and online credentials more secure, the security feature also ships with its own fair share of challenges. In June 2025, multiple reports from web users indicated that Windows Hello no longer worked in the dark.

Microsoft confirmed that it wasn't a bug and that Windows now requires both IR sensors and a webcam that can see your face to sign in. If you've relied on a master password in Edge until now, it's time to consider your options for secure sign-ins — and always keep your passwords safe!

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Microsoft Edge will no longer load all your passwords into memory in plaintext on startup. The upcoming change comes shortly after a security researcher discovered and disclosed the behavior.

When it comes to security, it's better to be safe than sorry. That's the core message Microsoft shared when explaining why its Edge browser will no longer load passwords into memory on startup.

Earlier this month, researcher Tom Jøran Sønstebyseter Rønning found that Edge decrypts every credential on startup and keeps that data in memory. Edge is seemingly the only Chromium-based browser to load all stored passwords into memory using plaintext at startup. In contrast, Chrome only decrypts specific passwords and loads them in plaintext in memory when a user asks to see the password.

Shortly after Rønning shared their findings, Microsoft issued a statement on the discovery explaining that the behavior "is an expected feature of the application." The company also noted that accessing browser data through the behavior would require a device that was already compromised.

Microsoft's blog post explaining its change to Edge reiterates that the current behavior is not a security concern:

"Based on our existing criteria, this behavior falls within the expected threat model, since the risk begins after an attacker has already compromised the device. At the same time, we believe there’s opportunity to improve. In this blog, we’ll show you what we’re changing and why."

In an update that brings Edge to version 148, the browser will no longer load passwords into memory on startup. The change is already live in the Canary Channel of Edge and will roll out to all users soon.

It's an interesting development because Microsoft is simultaneously repeating that the behavior is not a serious security risk and rolling out an immediate change to alter that behavior.

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Microsoft Edge no longer has a Copilot Mode, but its still full of AI features that integrate with your browsing experience. Microsoft just announced changes to the desktop and mobile versions of its browser that place Copilot at your fingertips without having to swap to a dedicated mode.

Copilot Mode is being retired, but its key features are being built directly into Edge. Microsoft announced the changes in blog post.

Many features that were limited to the desktop version of Edge are now available on mobile devices as well, including Copilot reasoning across open tabs, organizing your browsing history (Journeys).

The desktop version of Edge has also gained a Study and Learn mode, a Writing assistant, Copilot quizzes, and a feature that turns tabs into a podcast.

Microsoft Edge mobile's major update

The mobile version of Microsoft Edge has been brought closer to parity with its desktop counterpart, at least on the Copilot side of things. You can now grant Copilot permission to reason across your open tabs when answering questions and gathering information.

Journeys has also made its to the mobile version of Edge. That feature organizes your browsing history by topic and lists suggested steps to take, the idea being that it can help you plan and make decisions.

The biggest addition to the mobile version of Edge is the addition of Vision and Voice support. You can now interact with Copilot and the web through voice while the AI assistant watches your screen.

The new tab page from the desktop version of Edge has also been shipped to the mobile version of the browser.

Is Microsoft Edge getting better?

Microsoft Edge is a good browser that I use frequently, but its "progress" over the years has made me look elsewhere. Standout features like the Sidebar have been displaced by Copilot, and the browser feels more bloated than ever.

When Microsoft announced the retirement of apps in the Sidebar, the company said the move was done to simplify Edge. But that simplification process has left Copilot largely untouched.

Even the end of Copilot mode does not mark the end of Copilot features in Edge. If anything, this week's changes place Copilot more in the face of users.

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Thanks to a new feature for Microsoft Teams, the next time you hear the app's famous ring for calls, you won't have a brand impersonator on the other end.

The change is set to start rolling out in mid-May. The rollout should be complete by the end of the month.

Teams will take a look at any inbound calls with a specific emphasis on brand impersonation. If the app detects a likely impersonator, it will show a high-risk call warning before you answer.

You will still be able to accept the call if you'd like. Teams will also show options to block that user or end the call.

The new feature is detailed in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center. If you cannot sign in there, you can read the details through the Microsoft 365 Message Center Archive.

"Brand Impersonation Protection for Teams Calling adds proactive safeguards against fraudulent or deceptive external callers who attempt to appear as trusted organizations. This helps reduce social-engineering risks and improves tenant security when users receive first-contact external calls. This update aligns with Microsoft’s ongoing investments in caller identity protection and secure collaboration."

The feature works with inbound VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) calls for callers getting in contact for the first time.

Admins don't need to do anything to enable the feature.

Why Teams is a target for impersonation

We first covered this feature in January, but it is only rolling out now. While many people use Teams for internal chats, external calls are a normal part of sales, support, and client work.

If you speak with customers or partners, you probably receive a steady stream of calls from unknown contacts. That makes Teams an attractive target for brand impersonation and other social‑engineering attacks.

Teams users have already been on the receiving end of phishing attempts. Earlier this year, Check Point researchers found attackers using urgent billing names to bypass detection and pressure people into responding. Brand Impersonation Protection is meant to catch the same kind of behavior when it happens over a call instead of a message.

Microsoft continues to add security features across Teams, but safe practices still matter. You should treat unexpected invites or calls with caution and verify anything that feels out of place. If something looks suspicious, you should ask an admin to confirm who is trying to reach you.

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My favorite Microsoft Edge feature is being retired, and it appears that even a petition and a slew of complaints in Microsoft's feedback portal can do nothing to keep Edge's Sidebar as part of the browser.

Technically, the Sidebar will still exist, but in a different form. Microsoft is removing the ability to add apps to the Sidebar, and a future update to Edge will remove any apps users have already added.

But the core experience provided by the Sidebar is being retired. There is a petition to keep Edge's Sidebar around, but I believe it will go unnoticed.

On an unspecified date, Microsoft will cut the main reason many people use the Sidebar and leave us with what is essentially a shortcut to Copilot.

Sidebar's impending retirement is not new information. We've known that Microsoft will get rid of the feature for months. Even the "simplifying Edge" phrasing has been around for a while.

What is new, is my perspective. I still want Edge to have a Sidebar, but Microsoft's recent push to reduce bloat and improve Windows 11 has me thinking.

How do we define bloat? How do we view a feature that some find useful and others consider a waste of space and system resources?

I've come up with a list of what I feel makes a feature bloat. I'd argue that any feature that meets two or more of these bogs down an app or OS:

1. The feature is not a core part of the app or OS experience for most users.
2. The feature uses system resources even when not in use (such as running in the background when background sync is not essential).
3. The feature cannot be disabled or hidden.
4. The feature's addition or existence comes at the cost of losing a separate feature.

Even with these rules, there's some wiggle room, such as what is a core experience? Microsoft may define Copilot as a fundamental part of web browsing, for example.

Take Split Screen in Microsoft Edge. It's an entirely optional feature that only appears in the toolbar if you enable an option through Settings. As far as I can tell, Split Screen does not use any system resources unless you're actually using it.

Sidebar fits into the same category. Those who don't want it will never see it. Those who love it can use it peacefully.

Microsoft seems to disagree, and I still don't believe the company's reasoning. I've argued for months that I believe the Sidebar is being removed because it competes for space with Copilot.

Even Microsoft's support document about the retirement of Sidebar says "Copilot is not affected by this change, and we’re continuing to improve and enhance it."

Sidebar shipped before Copilot existed, so I think the perspective needs to be flipped, asking, "Is the Sidebar affected by the push to use Copilot?"

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Microsoft Edge has been discovered to be storing all passwords in plaintext when loaded in memory upon startup, making the passwords much easier to read and scrape by malware or hackers. Cyber security researcher @L1v1ng0ffTh3L4N posted about the exploit on X, and says "Edge is the only Chromium‑based browser I’ve tested that behaves this way."

"When you save passwords in Edge, the browser decrypts every credential at startup and keeps them resident in process memory. This happens even if you never visit a site that uses those credentials," the security researcher claims. "If an attacker gains administrative access on a terminal server, they can access the memory of all logged‑on user processes."

Microsoft Edge is based on Chromium, the same foundation that powers a number of other browsers such as Chrome, Brave, and Opera. However, it seems Edge is the only Chromium browser that loads all stored passwords into memory using plaintext at startup. Chrome, for example, will only load passwords into memory with plaintext when the user requests to see the password in the password manager or autofill menu.

We reached out to Microsoft for comment, and a spokesperson issued the following statement:

"Safety and security are foundational to Microsoft Edge. Access to browser data as described in the reported scenario would require the device to already be compromised. Design choices in this area involve balancing performance, usability, and security, and we continue to review it against evolving threats. Browsers access password data in memory to help users sign in quickly and securely - this is an expected feature of the application. We recommend users install the latest security updates and antivirus software to help protect against security threats."

That means Microsoft is aware of this behavior, and doesn't view it to be much of a problem. In fact, it sounds like Edge loading all passwords into memory using plaintext is by design, as it speeds up the sign-in and authentication process for the end user.

Instead of addressing this behavior, Microsoft is recommending that users ensure their PCs remain up to date with the latest security patches to help protect against installing malware that might exploit this design in Microsoft's browser.

Ulitimatly, it's clear that Microsoft isn't overly concerned about this potential issue, at least for now. While other browsers will only load passwords into memory using plaintext when requested, Edge will seemingly continue to load all passwords into memory in plaintext upon startup.

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Late last year, we learned that Microsoft planned to kill the Sidebar feature in its Edge browser. "We're simplifying Edge," the company explained. "New apps can no longer be added, and the quick access list will be removed gradually in future updates."

Interestingly, the company indicated that Copilot won't be affected by the change, further highlighting that the Sidebar's retirement will help it focus on improving its user experience.

The change seems unpopular among most users, and now, a petition has been launched to potentially get Microsoft's attention and even get it to pull the plug on its plan to retire Edge's Sidebar completely. At the time of writing, the petition had 74 verified signatures.

For context, the Sidebar in Edge is a tool designed to help users access tools and view websites and web apps within a small dedicated window, and can be used without leaving a webpage. When you launch Microsoft Edge on your PC, you'll notice the Sidebar on the edge of your browser window.

Copilot is also conveniently positioned in the same location. It's easy to subscribe to the notion across social media, suggesting the Sidebar's retirement is just another big push by Microsoft to get more users to use Copilot.

Petition to stop the removal of MS Edge's sidebar. from r/MicrosoftEdge

As highlighted in the "Keep the sidebar and collections in the Microsoft Edge browser" petition, the main issue is summarized as a message: "Microsoft Edge team, it makes no sense to remove a feature that users love—it’s very useful and works perfectly. Plus, this is one of the few features that sets Edge apart from other browsers. Please keep the current sidebar and collections, don’t remove it."

A quick look at Microsoft's feedback portal, highlighting the retirement of Edge's Sidebar, reveals that a vast majority of users are against the change. A user indicated that if the company moves forward with its plans to kill the feature, it should at the very least consider making it optional.

"God forbid the sidebar is removed," another user lamented. "I am literally only on MS Edge for that very reason."

That said, Microsoft has been making elaborate measures to rehabilitate and improve the current state of Windows 11 and address major pain points across the OS. Part of these efforts includes the return of Windows Insider meetups to bridge the gap between the developers and users, returning fan-favorite features like the movable and resizable Taskbar and more.

Interestingly, Microsoft is actively reducing where Copilot and its integrations appear, and has already lived up to part of the promise by removing the AI assistant from its Notepad app. However, some users have argued that the company renamed it to AI writing tools.

Elsewhere, Microsoft isn't walking away from AI entirely either. It recently added support for AI agents on the Taskbar and Search Box in Windows 11. It will be interesting to see how Microsoft handles complaints lodged by users and whether it will reconsider killing Edge's Sidebar.

On the flip side, some users are less-than-optimistic that Microsoft will reconsider its position about killing Edge's Sidebar. "Unfortunately, this won't achieve anything," one user commented. "If a large bureaucratic corporation has made a decision, it's already inevitable, and user feedback won't have any effect on it."

Do you find the Sidebar in Microsoft Edge useful? Let me know in the comments.

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On Windows 11, the battle between Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome is no longer about which browser works better, but which one fits better.

While both browsers now share the same Chromium foundation, Reddit users' feedback shows the differences are no longer about compatibility, but about efficiency, features, and ecosystem priorities.

Same engine, different experience

One point users consistently agree on is that both browsers are built on Chromium. That means websites generally behave the same, extensions are widely compatible, and performance differences are often subtle.

However, that's where the similarities end.

Edge gains traction for efficiency and the OS integration

Across the discussion, many users highlight Edge's advantage in resource management. The browser is widely seen as using less memory and delivering better battery life, particularly on Windows 11.

This isn't accidental since the company has built system-level optimizations into Microsoft Edge, including features like sleeping tabs that reduce background activity and improve overall responsiveness.

The browser also includes Startup Boost, which helps Microsoft Edge launch faster by keeping background processes running, though this can slightly increase memory usage. In addition, Microsoft offers gaming-focused optimizations that reduce browser resource usage while you're playing.

Alongside these memory optimizations, Edge offers an energy saver mode that cuts down background tab activity and even limits some foreground processes to extend battery life on laptops.

Users also point to deeper integration with Windows 11, including tighter system hooks and a design language that aligns with the operating system.

For some, these additions make Microsoft Edge feel more complete out of the box.

Even macOS users like Edge, as @moneymakerbs noted, "Mac user here. Haven't used Chrome in years. I switched from Firefox to Edge as my main browser because it's so good. Better memory management than Firefox."

Chrome still leads in ecosystem and consistency

Despite Microsoft Edge's momentum, Google Chrome continues to dominate in areas tied to Google's ecosystem.

Because both browsers are built on Chromium, raw performance is largely similar. However, Chrome often proves more reliable across websites, largely because many developers still prioritize it during development and testing.

That gap still shows up in real-world use. As user @Dull_Matter5910 put it, "I have had edge issues with certain websites but worked flawlessly on Chrome."

This consistency, combined with tight integration with services like Gmail, Drive, and YouTube, keeps Chrome as the default choice for many users.

As a side note, I genuinely like Microsoft Edge, but my primary browser remains Google Chrome. Chrome still uses more memory, yet I continue to rely on it because it offers the most consistent compatibility across websites.

I do use Edge as a secondary option. While many users highlight its features and deep integrations, from my perspective, the experience can feel somewhat bloated, especially with the growing number of built‑in tools that not everyone needs.

Privacy concerns remain on both sides

Privacy is another recurring theme, though opinions are mixed.

Some users argue that Edge offers more visible privacy controls out of the box, while Chrome is more tightly connected to Google's advertising ecosystem.

At the same time, skepticism extends to both companies. Several commenters point out that neither browser should be considered privacy-first, with alternatives like Brave or Firefox often entering the conversation.

Skepticism remains on both sides. As @Blandscreen bluntly put it, "both collect your data like a sponge."

Windows Central's Take

The real takeaway for me is that choosing between Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome is no longer about which browser is objectively better.

It comes down to which one fits the way I use my device. Edge has grown into a genuinely strong default on Windows 11, and I notice the benefits in efficiency, battery life, and how well it ties into the OS.

Features like sleeping tabs and the built‑in multitasking tools give me practical advantages in day‑to‑day use. Chrome, on the other hand, still wins when I need consistency. Its tight connection to Google services and the fact that most developers target it first mean I can count on it to behave the same way across almost every site, even if it eats more resources.

At this point, the gap between the two feels smaller than ever, and I often find myself switching depending on what I’m doing. For me, this is no longer a simple performance or feature comparison. It is a choice between ecosystems, and that is what shapes how I decide.

What browser is better in your opinion: Edge or Chrome? Let me know in the comments.

More resources

Explore more in-depth how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips to get the most out of Windows 11 and 10. Start browsing here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

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Last week, I indicated that I was one step closer to ditching Google Chrome for Microsoft Edge after Microsoft found a workaround to restore background play through its experimental browser, Microsoft Edge Canary. For context, Google recently disabled YouTube’s background play feature on third-party mobile browsers, explaining that the functionality is reserved exclusively for Premium subscribers.

Microsoft is now making the switch to Edge from other browsers more enticing than ever. An in-browser promotion highlights a sweepstakes with a staggering $2 million prize pool. The rewards include a $1 million cash grand prize, three Mercedes-Benz cars, and thousands of instant-win prizes (via Neowin).

It's worth noting that only users in the US, Canada, Mexico, and select European countries are eligible to participate in the promotion. What's more, the sweepstakes is still active and is expected to run through May 21, 2026, at midnight PT.

According to our sister site Tom’s Hardware, the promotion has been running for over a month, but it’s only now beginning to attract broader media attention. This seemingly says the quiet part about the browser's user base out loud.

You can increase your chances of winning by "visiting the sweepstakes page, sharing personalized links to the page with friends and family, using the Microsoft Rewards extension, redeeming Microsoft Rewards rewards, leveraging the Bing and Copilot mobile apps, and trying Bing Image Creator, Video Creator, and Copilot Search."

Perhaps more interestingly, there are PC-specific ways that could also help increase your chances of winning, including enabling OneDrive backups on Windows 10 and Windows 11, setting Microsoft Edge as the default browser on your OC, visiting the Lenovo and Acer Copilot+ PC product pages, and using the Microsoft Store to download apps and games.

To participate in the promotion and stand the chance to win the $1 million cash prize or one of the Mercedes-Benz cars, head over to the sweepstakes page and sign in to join the rewards program.

Participants won't be required to make any payments to accrue more entries. However, you can use Microsoft Rewards to garner more points and entries. The maximum is 465 entries per user.

As it happens, Microsoft is overhauling its Microsoft Rewards program's user experience with three new membership levels, more ways to earn, and additional perks.

Windows Central take: Microsoft Edge feels bloated

Microsoft Edge is undoubtedly a great browser with a unique user experience. However, I'd argue that it ships with a ton of features that might not necessarily be useful to an average user looking to do some basic shopping, research, or even watch videos on YouTube.

As a result, the tech giant has been sending some of these features to the Microsoft Graveyard before they hit their prime time. Last year, Microsoft retired Edge's Sidebar app list as part of its broader strategy to simplify the app's user experience.

I decided to head over to the r/microsoft subreddit on Reddit to see what Windows enthusiasts think about the change. Some users noted that Microsoft Edge outperforms Google Chrome in terms of battery life and RAM management, while others dismissed the promotion as old news, pointing out that Microsoft resorts to similar tactics every year.

"It is not going to happen microslop," one user indicated. "This company reeks of desperation," another lamented.

Microsoft is giving away $1 million and a Benz to attract users to Edge from r/microsoft

In 2024, Mozilla claimed that Microsoft doesn't give users the freedom of choice when selecting the default browser on Windows 11, further accusing the software giant of using 'harmful designs' and deceptive tactics to tip the scales in its favor.

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Google has arguably decided to make YouTube's user experience a restrictive struggle for non-Premium users. Its aggressive campaign against ad-blockers includes intentionally turning off comments and descriptions, preventing playback, and throttling videos for users who install the extensions.

Earlier this year, I reported that YouTube had blocked background play on third-party mobile browsers. The company justified the unpopular move by stating that background play is reserved exclusively for Premium subscribers. Many saw this as a blatant attempt by Google to push more users toward its Premium plan — whose monthly price recently jumped to $16/month.

However, Microsoft has found a workaround to restore background play through its experimental browser, Microsoft Edge Canary. The discovery was first spotted by sleuth Leo Varela, better known as Leopeva64 on X.

Elsewhere, Varela also spotted that Microsoft has integrated audio indicators to the tab cards in the tab switcher and an option to mute or unmute sites in the tab context menu in its Edge Canary browser.

However, as shown in the video embedded in the post on X, the option to mute sites isn’t functioning properly. As is often the case with experimental builds of Microsoft Edge, features can break or even cause crashes. It’s likely that Microsoft is already working on a fix and may roll it out soon.

Windows Central's take

It seems the experience made its way to Microsoft Edge Canary for Android in August last year via a new flag that supports background video playback.

As someone who listens to a lot of music and podcasts on my phone, especially on YouTube, I’d call this a game‑changing discovery. I’ve long used Google Chrome as my default mobile browser, but this might be the push I needed to finally switch.

• Related: Google will stop showing ads in YouTube livestreams if you meet these caveats

However, since I use an iPhone as my daily driver, there’s a chance that background video playback may not be available in Microsoft Edge Canary for iOS.

Either way, it will be interesting to see whether this feature eventually makes its way to the stable version of Microsoft Edge and, in the grander scheme of things, whether it cracks a dent in Google Chrome’s massive share of the browser market.

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I've covered Mozilla's long-standing feud with Microsoft for a couple of years, and it's safe to say the Firefox maker isn't exactly a fan of the tech giant's work. Now, Mozilla is throwing punches again, this time over Microsoft's push into AI.

In a new blog post titled "Old habits die hard," Mozilla argues that rather than offering Copilot in Windows 11, Microsoft pushed the AI offering to users by force. "The M365 Copilot app began auto-installing on any Windows device running Microsoft 365 desktop apps, with no prompt and no consent," Mozilla added.

Microsoft temporarily scrapped the forced rollout of the Microsoft 365 Copilot app on eligible Windows 11 PCs last month without much of an elaborate explanation. However, it will still be added to the Windows 11 Start menu and enabled by default.

Mozilla highlighted more examples of Microsoft pushing Copilot onto Windows users, including the dedicated Copilot key on Copilot+ PCs and its deeper integration into the Windows 11 Taskbar.

At the beginning of this year, Microsoft pledged to improve user sentiment around Windows 11 by bringing back fan-favorite features, like the vertical Taskbar, and reducing where Copilot and its integrations appear across the OS. Yesterday, Microsoft started reducing Copilot's appearance in Windows 11 by removing it from Notepad.

Mozilla argues that user backlash sparked Microsoft's abrupt shift in intent with Copilot — "they’re really admitting that they made repeated choices to serve their business over their customers."

Perhaps more concerningly, the company says this isn't Microsoft's first example of dark and deceptive design patterns fashioned to force behaviors that help the bottom line. In 2024, Mozilla released a report suggesting that Microsoft doesn't give Windows users real freedom of choice when selecting the default browser on Windows 11.

Since then, Mozilla says Microsoft has only escalated its use of dark patterns to further its cause and has provided a comprehensive list, as highlighted below:

• The Windows Search bar, embedded in the taskbar on both Windows 10 and Windows 11, is hardcoded to only open Microsoft Edge, regardless of your default browser.
• Windows has not implemented a true device migration system, like we see with Android, iOS, and MacOS, where your apps, settings and data are all reflected on your new device when you buy a new computer. Instead, the defaults are changed back to Microsoft’s own products. 
• Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Teams by default ignore your default browser selection and open links directly in Edge.
• Windows does not offer a simple prompt that other browsers can trigger asking to become your default browser. Instead, other browsers have to direct you to Windows settings and hope you finish the multi-step process.

Should Microsoft introduce a killswitch for Copilot integrations?

Mozilla painted a vivid picture of what "genuinely useful" AI integrations should look like. Simply put, AI that works on your terms. The company pointed to Firefox’s AI enhancements, which, as it highlighted, are made for people, not just because they can increase profit.

Mozilla seemingly tooted its own horn, indicating that Firefox puts user choice first, which is why version 148 introduced an AI killswitch designed to block all artificial intelligence features from interfering with the browsing experience.

Mozilla warns that if tech giants like Microsoft keep controlling users and only respond when backlash becomes overwhelming, they’ll end up dictating the narrative and shaping public expectations of technology."It tells people that their only real move is to complain until, hopefully, the company relents," Mozilla added.

The company also indicated that this makes it harder for alternatives to compete on an even playing field. Windows Central has reached out to Microsoft for any comments.

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Even people who use Microsoft Edge don't want the browser to start automatically after logging in to Windows 11. That's what a recent poll about the browser suggests.

Microsoft is testing a new feature that allows Edge to open automatically after starting a PC. A banner appeared for some users indicating the change, and we confirmed the behavior is there in the latest Edge Beta build.

That banner has an option to say "No thanks," but it appears the feature is opt-out rather than opt-in. Since the feature is still in testing, Microsoft may change if it is enabled or disabled by default.

It turns out that a browser launching automatically, even if optionally, is a hot button topic. Comments on the article and on Reddit range from expletitives to analogies comparing Microsoft to The Lord of the Rings.

"This is exactly the kind of thing driving me away from windows," said Steve Jones.

Similar sentiments were shared by "pm fenn," who said, "If Microsoft forces this on people i will stop using win 11 and continue to use google OS."

Edward Dekkers emphasized how the new Edge feature goes against Microsoft's push to improve Windows 11:

"What? I thought the last reports I read they were supposedly UNshittifying windows. Guess that lasted long before they came up with more ways to make Windows worse again."

I argued a similar case in the latest Windows Wrap.

"Sneakily testing Edge starting up when people boot their PCs? These types of actions hinder a reputation from being rebuilt."

Unpopular, even among Edge users

Of those who voted in our poll, 32 percent said they use Edge daily but don't want the auto start feature. That figure seems small until you realize that 63 percent of those who voted don't use Microsoft Edge.

Only 5 percent of participants expressed an interest in having Edge launch automatically.

The poll is still live, so you can weigh in and share your thoughts. Maybe the results will swing a different way now that it's been highlighted how many people don't want the feature.

Reddit reacts to Edge starting automatically

As you may have expected, Reddit reactions were less subtle than what we saw in our comment section. The top comment in a r/technolgoy thread includes the "F word" with nine U's.

"A better feature would be for it to automatically delete itself after every update," said Reddit users "huggernot."

Another user, "Awkward-Candle-4977," said that "Satya should fire product management team who planned this."

User illucio, who appears to enjoy The Lord of the Rings, said

"The Eye of Redmond has returned to the Shire of my Taskbar unbidden.I shall not yield to this Blue Ring of bloatware!

I will trek through the Mines of Regedit and chant the forbidden PowerShell scripts to cast this digital horcrux into the fires of Mount Doom. I’ll bend over backwards to ensure it is destroyed and can never return.

IT SHALL NOT PASS!"

Over in the r/WindowsCentral subreddit, community members shared thoughts on the feature.

"Boy that'll do wonders for their commitment to roll back all the idiotic decisions they've made with Windows 11 🙄," said user "blueblocker2000." "It's like there is a faction within MS dedicated to undermining any positive change."

Pushing a good browser

Microsoft Edge is a good browser, even though it has become a bit more bloated than it was at launch. But Microsoft is too pushy about Edge.

Tricking people into using Edge or pushing the browser at every turn alienates people who may otherwise be genuinely interested in using the browser.

Then again, Microsoft keeps doing it, so there must be some metric in which the heavy handed tactics are considered successful.

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Google Chrome still dominates the desktop browser market share with 69.37%, while Microsoft Edge comes in at a distant second with 12.75%, according to StatCounter. Microsoft has been ramping up its efforts to improve Edge's user experience, but it still struggles with adoption.

Feature parity might have been a contributing factor before, but Google Chrome is finally getting vertical tabs, something that has already existed in competing browsers, like Microsoft Edge and Mozilla Firefox, for a while now.

If you're part of the rollout wave, you'll be able to right-click your Chrome window and select "Show Tabs Vertically" to open tabs in the browser's left sidebar by default, where you can select each to switch pages. You can also drag and drop an individual tab, move it up or down, and get the same experience you're used to along the top.

Vertical tabs coming to Google Chrome feel like a bonus for users who often interact with tab groups. While it's still handy for horizontal tabs, I felt it was a little cluttered. This update has me reclaiming my screen's real estate, and it's definitely satisfying.

Aside from the vertical tabs, Google also announced that its Chrome browser is getting an improved Reading Mode. As such, the new full-page interface will present a webpage in a simple, uncluttered format that focuses on the text.

The previous approach to this feature felt quite limited, as it launched your current page in a narrow sidebar alongside the normal web view, which forced users to adjust the borders for better readability.

To access it, right-click a page and select the "Open in reading mode" option. You can also adjust the font, color, line height, and other visual elements to meet your preference.

Many users still seem to prefer Chrome over Edge, citing "faster" performance and its extensive ecosystem of extensions and integrations with Google services (even though most are compatible with both browsers).

Elsewhere, Microsoft also brought back the vertical Taskbar to Windows 11 as part of its broader campaign to improve user sentiment around the operating system in 2026, which, if I'm being honest, should've never been scrapped in the first place!

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Microsoft is trialing a new default behavior for Edge on Windows 11 that will allow the browser to automatically open upon startup. Some users are reporting that a new banner is appearing at the top of the Edge browser that says the app "now launches when you sign into Windows, so it's ready when you want to browse. Change this anytime in Settings."

Windows Central can confirm that as of the latest Microsoft Edge Beta build, this banner does appear at the top of the interface, and unless you select the "No thanks" button, the browser will automatically appear every time you start up your PC. The good news is that you can disable this, but the bad news is it appears to be opt-out rather than opt-in.

It's unclear if this behavior only enables itself if you have Edge set as your default browser. The option to set Edge to automatically open doesn't disappear or disable itself if I set Chrome as the default, but it's possible there are checks in place that will stop Edge from enabling this behavior automatically if it detects it's not the default browser.

It probably makes sense for a lot of users to have their default browser of choice open automatically at login, as most people spend the majority of their time in a web browser. Windows already automatically preloads Edge in the background by default to increase its startup performance, so it's not a huge leap to automatically display the app itself if Windows knows you're going to open it anyway.

Given that this new default behavior is also in preview, it's possible that Microsoft may only be testing this with a small group of people, and depending on feedback, will revert the change. You've always been able to manually set Edge to open at startup, but it's never been the default behavior until now. Curiously, this change doesn't appear to be mentioned in the changelogs for the latest preview releases of Edge.

Alongside this new behavior, Microsoft is testing a new UI design for Edge that more closely resembles Copilot. Edge and Copilot are becoming one of the same, with the latest Copilot update dropping its native Windows app in favor of an Edge powered web wrapped experience.

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Mozilla Firefox just received an update that has me looking across my Start menu with wandering eyes. Firefox version 149 includes Split View, a free VPN when using public Wi-Fi, and improved PDF performance.

The update also adds security and privacy features, such as automatically blocking notifications and revoking permissions when viewing websites flagged as malicious.

It's also possible to add a Share button to the toolbar in the latest version of Firefox.

If you use Microsoft Edge, you may ask yourself why those features stand out. For example, Edge has had Split View for years.

You'd be right, of course. The reason I'm looking at Firefox isn't because the browser has added a bunch of exclusive features I can't get elsewhere, it's because Firefox has finally caught up to include almost all of my required features while also providing other benefits.

If you'd also like to try Firefox, you can grab it through the Firefox website or through the Microsoft Store.

Microsoft Edge is my primary browser. I use it for general web browsing and for work. I rely on several of its features, including the Sidebar, Read Aloud, and Split View. While some of those features are not exclusive to Edge, or can be replicated through extensions, I enjoy Microsoft's implementation of them and am comfortable with them.

But Edge has lost its focus over the years. AI is creeping into every crevasse, and it's even bumping out one of my favorite features. Firefox and Edge handle AI very differently.

In Firefox, there's a section in settings for AI Controls. There, you'll see an option to "Block all AI enhancements" prominently along the top. You can also toggle specific AI features on or off within the section.

In contrast, Edge's AI features are spread throughout the browser's settings page. To find all AI features, you'd have to search both "AI" and "Copilot" and click around for a while. There actually is an "AI Innovations" section in Edge's settings, but it's just to enable or disable "Copilot mode."

With Edge losing focus and AI creeping in, Firefox becomes an attractive alternative. Now that Firefox includes its own version of Split View, the gap between the browsers is even smaller.

The privacy and security features added in Firefox version 149 are also nice, though I admit I'm more concerned with usability when it comes to everyday web browsing. I wouldn't use a browser that was secure if it lacked the tools I needed to get work done.

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When you think of an update, you usually think about gaining features or existing features being improved. But with Microsoft Edge version 146.0.3856.59, Microsoft is stripping away several features from the browser while clearing the path to retire even more.

The Collections feature is officially retiring and Edge will show a banner to users that states new items can no longer be added.

Microsoft is also ending support for macOS 12, though that's not as much of a loss. The browser will continue to work with macOS 13 or later. The cutoff for the older version of macOS is Edge version 151.

Starting with Edge version 146, users will no longer be able to create a new custom primary password within Edge settings. On June 4, 2026, Edge will forcibly migrate all those using that method of authentication to a different method.

At the moment, people can set a custom primary password to add an extra layer of security to their saved passwords. We covered the change in more detail when Edge 146 was in preview.

Here are the major announcements for Microsoft Edge version 146:

• Collections retirement. Microsoft will begin retiring Collections. A banner will be shown to existing Collections users, and users will no longer be able to add new items to Collections. To keep saved content, users can export it or move all pages to Favorites. For more information, see Organize your ideas with Collections in Microsoft Edge.
• Microsoft Edge supported operating systems for macOS. Edge version 150 is currently planned to be the last release that supports macOS 12 (Monterey). Under this plan, Edge version 151 or later will require macOS 13 (Ventura) or later.
• Migration to improved V2 architecture for Workspaces. Workspaces, introduced in Edge in 2022, allows users to create durable sets of tabs that can be saved and shared with others. To improve reliability and performance of this feature, the following changes are being made:
  • Migrating data for saved Workspaces from OneDrive/SharePoint to the Edge Sync service.
  • Removing the collaboration/share functionality of this feature.
• For organizations who have disabled Sync through policy, the existing v1 Workspace data will still be migrated to the new architecture. New v2 Workspaces created after migration will not sync across devices and will remain local to each device. This update began rolling out in Edge Stable version 145 and continues rolling out in Edge Stable version 146. For more information, see Getting started with Microsoft Edge Workspaces.
• Custom primary password deprecation. In Microsoft Edge 146, users will no longer be able to create a new custom primary password in Edge Settings (edge://settings/autofill/passwords/settings). Users who already have a custom primary password configured will see a warning that the feature will not be available starting June 4, 2026. On June 4, 2026, users still using a custom primary password will automatically be migrated to device authentication.

Often, losing a feature is a bad thing, but that's not always the case. One of the changes made in Edge's most recent update gets rid of a feature many complained about.

If you scroll down the Microsoft page about the update, you'll see a list of "Feature Updates" as well. Many of these are smaller policy changes or features that are in preview, but one sticks out and will affect many users.

Starting with Edge version 146, the browser no longer includes passwords in the list of items that are cleared when you clear browsing data. User complained to Microsoft about passwords being deleted unintentionally.

It's still possible to manage, edit, or delete passwords in Edge by navigating to edge://settings/autofill/passwords within the browser.

💬 Do you clear your browsing history?

Presumably, many people want to delete the list of websites they have visited or to clear cookies, not clear saved passwords that had been entered manually over time.

How often do you clear your browsing history, and which types of content do you clear when you do? Let us know in the comments and in the poll below!

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Chromium, like it or not, is the dominant platform when it comes to web browsers. Google Chrome, obviously, is the biggest player, but Microsoft Edge builds upon it nowadays, too.

Not just these two, either. Brave is based on Chromium, as are Opera and Vivaldi, and a number of other, less well-known projects.

So too is Helium, a Chromium-based browser that until recently had slipped my attention. It's cross-platform on Linux, Mac, and Windows, and while the latter is still labelled as an alpha, I'm impressed with what I'm seeing so far.

Helium is plain, basic browsing, with privacy and performance in mind

Web browsers want your attention. Microsoft will nag you shamelessly to use Edge and has been stuffing it with features. Google is no better. Some of these features are useful; some you wish weren't there.

In a world where everyone seems to be pushing an agenda — and of course, AI — Helium stands as a breath of fresh air.

While it's based on Chromium, that's about as far as the similarities go with the likes of Chrome and Edge. There's no account, no telemetry or tracking, no AI, and it has adblocking included by default.

What also makes Helium stand out is its commitment to keep popular Manifest V2 extensions alive for as long as possible. The big players have deprecated these, much to many users' chagrin.

This stripped-back, privacy-first approach means the feature set is deliberately small. There is no password manager included, for example. Nor is there any form of sync. If you want to use Helium across multiple devices, you'll have to come up with your own way of doing this if you need it. Third-party cookies are also disabled by default.

To look at, Helium is fairly similar to other Chromium browsers. The address bar and bookmark bar are a little more compact, and if you like vertical tabs, it has those built in, too.

Helium also has a split view mode for snapping two different tabs side-by-side. It is limited to two tabs right now, but I'd say that's probably fine for most people.

You can still use your favorite browser extensions, but there are limitations

One of the biggest limitations to using Helium is that it doesn't have any support for protected content. That is, services such as Spotify or Netflix, because the browser doesn't have the correct DRM built into it.

This isn't necessarily a dealbreaker, since on Windows you can just go ahead and grab the standalone desktop apps for each. But it does highlight a potential roadblock to some user experiences.

But on the other side of the see-saw, you have complete access to any of your favorite Chromium browser extensions that you'd use on any other browser. Helium anonymizes your downloads of these using its own services package.

Helium services are designed to keep what you're using private and, besides extensions, also cover "!bangs" and downloading adblock filter updates. Helium services can be self-hosted if you'd prefer to have total control but not lose the functionality the browser offers.

But so far as extensions go, I've not come across anything from my own personal preferences that hasn't worked exactly the same in Helium as in Chrome or Edge.

A little on those !bangs, too. It's a nice touch that's designed to speed up your browsing. For example, by typing !gh followed by what you want to find on GitHub, you can go directly to the search results without having to first go to the homepage.

Helium might be in alpha but it's already a polished web browser

The likes of Google and Microsoft want you to use their browsers because you're the product. Our attention and our data are important to them. Helium is a different take, and I've seen comments around the web that say it's looking a lot like the browser Brave always promised to be.

With absolutely no syncing, accounts, or telemetry, you have more control over your data. That in itself might be enough for some to give it a try.

But even for the more casual user, there's promise. If you're tired of how bloated and full of stuff your regular browser is, Helium is the complete opposite. The same core experience without the fluff. You can still make it your own, but it's not going to nag for your attention, either. I like that.

Take the alpha for a spin yourself by downloading from the project's website, or check out its GitHub repo for more information.

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Microsoft Copilot is on a roll. Copilot Tasks just launched and has been well received, and a new Copilot feature in Outlook can automatically reschedule meetings when a conflict arises.

Now, Insiders can test a feature in Copilot that opens links in a sidepane rather than making you hop into a different app.

Copilot trails ChatGPT and competes closely with Gemini in terms of usage. Those figures could shift if Copilot continues to gain useful features.

At the moment, clicking a link within Copilot opens a browser window. You could snap Copilot and your browser next to each other, of course, but that takes a couple of extra clicks.

The new feature for Copilot can also access the context of any opened tabs in the sidepane (if you grant permission). That way, you can ask questions about what appears on a webpage or have Copilot perform tasks based on that content.

Opened tabs are saved with your conversation with Copilot, so you can jump back in easily.

The addition to Copilot seems similar to what I called "the worst Edge feature ever," but there's a key difference. The controversial Edge feature opens Copilot in a side panel within Edge when you click links in Outlook. The new Copilot feature is for when you're already in the Copilot app.

Microsoft is often accused of pushing AI onto users. Edge popping open a Copilot sidepanel feels aggressive. But those already in the Copilot app are presumably fine with AI and will likely welcome being able to use the tool side-by-side with browser tabs.

Of course, using Copilot's sidepane like this also gets you to use Microsoft Edge, so there's some pushing going on by Microsoft here.

The update to Copilot also improves performance and reliability, according to Microsoft. It adds some other features as well, including Podcasts, Study, and Learn mode. Those modes are already available on the Copilot website and are now available within the app.

The update is rolling out gradually to Insider Channels. You should see the changes soon if you're running version 146.0.3856.39 or higher of Copilot.

🗨️ Are you tired of Microsoft Edge following you into every app you open?

Is the new Copilot browser side panel a genuine time-saver for your workflow, or just another way to force Edge onto your desktop? Let me know in the comments, and make sure to take part in our poll below:

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

There's a new phishing security vulnerability going around, and despite it being tied to a fake Google Account security page, it's affecting a wide range of web browsers and devices, including Microsoft Edge, PCs, and phones.

Discovered by Malwarebytes (via PCGamer), the bad actors are using a convincing Google Account security page that looks like a standard security check to deploy what is being referred to as "one of the most fully featured browser-based surveillance toolkits [Malwarebytes] have observed in the wild."

The attack does not rely on any sort of bug or exploit, which makes it particularly easy to get out into the wild. As Malwarebytes explains, each attack begins with a browser pop-up that asks you to install a Security Check app published by "google-prism.com." Of course, that is not a legitimate Google URL.

If a user opts to install the fake app, it arrives as a Progressive Web App (PWA) that looks surprisingly similar to a native Google app. It will then request specific push notification permissions disguised as the enabling of security alerts, which allows the bad actors to retain open communication even after the PWA is closed.

A legitimate Contact Picker API is fed into the PWA, and the user is asked to select contacts with whom they'd like to share the security update. The contact info is then sent back to the attacker's domain.

The last step, and perhaps the scariest, is a request for GPS location. Malwarebytes says that info, including "latitude, longitude, altitude, heading, and speed," is all sent back to the attacker's domain.

Closing the malicious PWA doesn't put an end to the vulnerability

Assuming a user falls for the trick and installs the PWA, closing it doesn't put an end to the vulnerability.

When the app is open, it can read clipboards to try and find passwords and wallet addresses, intercepting SMS codes used for verification at the same time. When the app is closed, this portion isn't active. However, a "service worker" remains active. Here's how Malwarebytes explains it:

So, while you can stop the clipboard and SMS data harvesting by closing the PWA, the service worker continues operating. With the right notification permissions, it's capable of waking, pushing new tasks, and triggering data uploads.

Bad actors can use your browser as if it's their own

The vulnerability goes from bad to worse, as Malwarebytes explains how bad actors can make it look like their web traffic is coming from your browser on your IP.

This is achieved via a connection to a WebSocket relay with the installed malware acting as a proxy. Not only is this a terrifying prospect in terms of blackmail or conspiracy, but it can also compromise corporate networks.

How to check if your Windows PC has been compromised

Malwarebytes lays out the steps required to check if your Android, macOS, iOS, and Windows devices have been compromised, with steps to help you remove the malicious PWA.

I recommend you run through the steps as soon as possible, even if you don't remember installing anything related to a Google Security Alert. It's better to be safe than sorry.

What do you think about this browser vulnerability affecting Edge users?

Were you affected by this new form of malware discovered by Malwarebytes? Are you concerned about how malware is evolving to not require any bug or exploit? Let me know in the comments section!

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Microsoft continues to push AI onto its users, proving that each Microsoft product can — and often will — serve as a billboard for services from the tech giant. An upcoming feature for Microsoft Edge will open Copilot in the side pane automatically when you click a link in Outlook.

I'm sure that Microsoft would argue the feature is useful, but everyone I've spoken to responded negatively. From jokes asking what Microsoft is doing to playfully cursing at the tech giant.

I don't think those reactions will be exclusive to my friends and colleagues. This feature is genuinely odd given the recent backlash against Microsoft forcing AI into more products and services.

The new feature is detailed on the Microsoft 365 roadmap:

"When users open links from Outlook, Microsoft Edge can automatically open the Copilot side pane to provide contextual insights and actionable suggestion chips based on email and destination content - such as highlighting key points, and recommending next actions - without disrupting the browsing flow. This experience helps users quickly understand content, take action with fewer steps, and get more value from Copilot while extending productive browsing time in Edge."

The roadmap entry does not specify if the feature will be enabled or disabled by default, I would assume the latter. Even if the Microsoft Edge team views this feature as genuinely useful, they should be aware enough to realize many would consider the feature being the default behavior of Edge as invasive.

The side pane mentioned by Microsoft is likely in the same spot as the Edge Sidebar, which is currently set for retirement. The Edge team appears keen to reserve that space for Copilot specifically.

The new feature for Edge is currently set to roll out in May, but that could change. Microsoft recently explained that it will not end support for legacy printer drivers on Windows 11, which was contrary to a previous entry on the Microsoft 365 roadmap.

Microsoft claimed that roadmap entry was inaccurate and has since been updated. But any feature on the roadmap can change.

I'm hoping Microsoft either changes its plans for the feature that opens Copilot automatically or at least ensures the feature is off by default when it launches.

💬How do you feel about Copilot being integrated into Microsoft products?

The new Microsoft Edge feature is pitched as a helpful shortcut, but most reactions I’ve heard range from confused to outright annoyed, especially with AI already being pushed heavily by Microsoft. Would the feature help your workflow or be an annoyance?

Drop your thoughts below and join the conversation!

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Microsoft is set to make an important change to how Microsoft Edge's built-in password manager works via a new browser update. For context, the feature allows users to save and sync passkeys across their Windows PCs, making signing in easier and safer.

If you've interacted with Edge's built-in password manager, you know that it lets you secure and autofill your passwords using Windows Hello or a standalone password. However, Microsoft has announced its plan to discontinue the standalone password option via the next feature update for Microsoft Edge in favor of Windows Hello (via Neowin).

As such, users won't be able to create custom standalone passwords to secure their passwords once Microsoft Edge version 146 ships to the Stable channel. However, it's worth noting that feature will remain available for existing users through June 4, 2026, when the company is expected to pull the plug and transition users to Windows Hello.

Edge's built-in password manager lets you secure passwords and autofill with two security options: Windows Hello or a standalone password. The latter is now on its way out, as Microsoft decided to discontinue the primary password in favor of the device sign-in or Windows Hello.

Elsewhere, Microsoft recently shipped Edge 145 to the Beta Channel, announcing its plan to pull support for macOS 12 Monterey.

Microsoft is ending support for primary password in Edge, transitioning users to device authentication

It's still unclear what kind of reception Microsoft will get from users for discontinuing the standalone password security option for Edge's built-in password manager, but Windows Hello seems like a more convenient option since it supports a biometric login system with your face, iris, or fingerprint (or a PIN).

Do you support Microsoft removing the custom primary password option in Edge’s password manager?

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Over the past few months, Microsoft has shipped a bunch of new features to Teams, its video conferencing platform, in a bid to enhance its user experience, including the ability to pin the app on top of other windows, ensuring it remains visible while you switch tasks and enhancing multitasking.

Some of the features are also in the pipeline and will be rolled out to users in waves, including the ability to hide the toolbar during meetings. And now, yet another is on its way to the collaboration tool on smartphones.

Teams is about to get a new setting option called Links in Teams, tagged under message ID MC1216263 in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center. As the name suggests, the feature will allow users to select their preferred mobile browser when opening non-Office and PDF links in Teams (via Neowin).

This means that users will no longer have to open these files via their OS-level default. Instead, you'll now be able to pick whichever browser you want (well, sort of).

Microsoft has never been one to let an opportunity slip by to present its products and services as the preferred choice. And this case isn't any different. While the new Teams setting option should allow you to use the browser of your choice to open non-Office and PDF links in Teams, Microsoft is seemingly encouraging users to pick Edge, touting Single Sign-On and security features as the main incentives.

The feature is expected to start rolling out to users later this month. Once available, you'll need to select your preferred browser for opening PDF links, which will be presented to you as a pop-up with Microsoft Edge as the first choice, even if it's not installed on your device or your default browser.

"Microsoft also said that it is tracking user satisfaction, Microsoft Edge installation rates, and retention," Neowin noted. Perhaps more interestingly, Microsoft doesn't list other third-party browsers like Google Chrome, Firefox, or even Opera.

When you click on the Microsoft Edge option, and you don't have it installed on your device, you'll get a second prompt, which will direct you to the app store to download the browser.

However, it's worth noting that you can select the default browser and go through the process to use your preferred browser for opening PDF links and others.

Over to you

Teams’ new browser selector promotes Edge as default. Is this a fair move or browser push? Let me know in the comments.

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Microsoft Edge just received a significant update that should boost productivity for business users. The jump to Edge version 145.0.3800.58 also includes some handy features for non-business users.

Copilot actions in PDF reader now include buttons to "Summarize" and "Explain" documents. These features use AI to extract and summarize the most important data from PDF files and provide context for that information.

Another improvement to PDFs in Edge reduces the startup time of the Read Aloud experience.

An improved Autofill experience will prompt users to save information from an address on a form.

Perhaps the biggest change is that Edge now groups related domains together to make it easier to log in to sites. For example, you can save and use the same credentials for account.microsoft.com and office.microsoft.com.

Microsoft Edge Version 145.0.3800.58

Announcements

• Upcoming migration to improved V2 architecture for Workspaces.. Workspaces, introduced in Edge in 2022, allows users to create durable sets of tabs that can be saved and shared with others. In order to improve reliability and performance of this feature, the following changes are being made:
  • Migrating data for saved Workspaces from OneDrive/SharePoint to Edge Sync service
  • Removing the collaboration/share functionality of this feature
• For organizations who have disabled Sync through policy, the existing v1 Workspace data will still be migrated to the new architecture. New v2 Workspaces created after migration will not sync across devices and will remain local to each device. This update will occur on a progressive rollout beginning in Edge Stable v145 and will fully roll out starting with Edge Stable v146. Opting out in v145 can be achieved by contacting Microsoft CSS before rollout begins.

Feature Updates

• Cross Tenant Support using Intune MAM. Edge for Business extends its capability to deliver Intune App Protection Policies via Intune MAM. Organizations are enabled to apply data loss prevention controls to Edge for Business profiles even on devices managed by another tenant. This capability enforces Intune MAM policies-such as clipboard boundaries, watermarking, and protected downloads-within the Edge work profile, ensuring sensitive data remains governed by your tenant. When enabled, downloads initiated in Edge are redirected to OneDrive for Business instead of local storage, and leak controls for screenshots and DevTools activate when data protection settings are applied. This approach secures cross-tenant scenarios like contractors or mergers without requiring additional apps or disrupting the end user experience. Note: This feature is in public preview. For more information, see Cross-tenant support using Intune MAM
• Update to Copilot icon in toolbar. The Copilot icon now includes the label “chat” next to it on the toolbar.
• Update to the AutoplayAllowed policy. The AutoplayAllowed policy has been updated and when the policy is configured to Disabled, Edge will now set media autoplay to "Block" which will disable autoplay on all sites. Previously, configuring the policy to Disabled, set media autoplay to "Limit" which still allowed autoplay on sites with high media engagement or active WebRTC streams.
• Navigation management for Progressive Web Apps. Microsoft Edge has improved how a Progressive Web App (PWA) handles user navigation. When a user clicks a link, the browser will determine whether it should launch the installed PWA or open a new browser tab to give users a more seamless experience.
• Validate Edge builds early with enterprise preview. Enterprise preview provides a simpler way for admins to flight pre-release Edge builds to their users. To reduce friction and bolster usage, users will receive pre-release builds directly inside of their Stable Edge application. Admins can allow users to easily opt-out of the preview experience, using built-in rollback to switch between their pre-release and stable channels with ease. Microsoft 365 admin center users can configure the feature, view their flighting population, and receive personalized recommendations all in one place. Note: Part of this experience is in public preview and can be accessed by opting in to targeted release in the Microsoft 365 admin center. For more information, see Get started with Enterprise Preview in Microsoft Edge.
• Add "Summarize" and "Explain" Copilot actions in PDF reader. Existing "Ask Copilot" integration in the built-in PDF reader has been expanded by introducing two new actions - "Summarize" and "Explain." These options will allow users to generate a concise overview or simplify complex content within a PDF or selected portion. The new actions build on the existing "Ask Copilot" integration and follow the same enterprise controls and policies.
• A Refreshed Profile Flyout Experience for Better Clarity and Actionability. The Microsoft Edge profile flyout is updated to deliver a cleaner, more intuitive experience. The refreshed design makes it easier to distinguish between work and personal profiles, manage credentials, and quickly access key settings-all within a polished interface that supports modern browsing needs. With streamlined sign-in, clearer profile types, and organization branding preserved, this update enables a more efficient and trustworthy experience for customers.
• Securely enable AI generated applications. Leverage the latest AI advancements to build prototypes, learning applications or interactive reports using your favorite tools in Edge without worrying about your data. This extension enables apps to leverage some new security improvements for safely executing AI generated code. Admins can control availability to this feature using the EdgeSafeHostingExtensionEnabled policy.
• Watermarking Protection in Microsoft Edge for Business. Watermarking Protection in Microsoft Edge helps organizations visibly reinforce data protection policies by overlaying a persistent watermark on sensitive content viewed in the browser. This feature is designed to deter unauthorized sharing, support compliance efforts, and increase user awareness when handling confidential information. For more information, see Watermarking Protection. Note: This experience is in public preview and can be accessed by opting in to targeted release in the Microsoft 365 admin center.
• Adding protection against malicious sideloaded extensions. Microsoft Edge will detect and revoke malicious sideloaded extensions.
• Improved Autofill experience in Microsoft Edge. When users fill in an Address on a form, they'll be prompted to choose whether to save it for future Autofill suggestions. This enhancement ensures Autofill data is saved intentionally by users and reduces unwanted entries as part of their Autofill suggestion.
• Protected Clipboard in Microsoft Edge for Business. Admins shouldn't have to choose between locking down copy/paste and risking data leaks. Protected Clipboard offers a smarter way for keeping sensitive data safe without disrupting user workflows. Leveraging Purview DLP policies to define trusted boundaries across managed cloud apps. Data inside those admin defined boundaries can stay protected while external data can enter if needed. Granular control for admins. Seamless productivity for users. For more information, see Protected Clipboard. Note: This experience is in public preview and can be accessed by opting in to targeted release in the Microsoft 365 admin center.
• Password affiliation service. Password autofill suggestions in Edge are currently based on top-level domain matching, which means the same credentials can be suggested on sites like account.microsoft.com and office.microsoft.com. With this feature, Edge groups related domains together across various desktop and mobile properties called affiliations. When a customer visits a URL, the Edge client will query the affiliations backend to obtain "affiliated groups" for that URL. The process involves sending a hash of the visited URLs to the service, which then returns a list of affiliated URLs and ensures that the relevant credentials will be displayed in the autofill suggestions across affiliated domains. Admins must use both the PasswordManagerEnabled and PrimaryPasswordSetting policies together to control access to this feature. Configuring both policies will allow admins to ensure no passwords will get saved, lookups for autofill will be completely disabled and affiliation endpoint will not be queried. Note: This is a controlled feature rollout. If you don't see this feature, check back as we continue our rollout.
• New policy to control profile editing. The EditProfileEnabled policy controls whether users can modify profile properties (such as the profile avatar) from the profile setting page. If the policy is enabled or not configured, the edit button is available and users can edit profile properties. If the policy is disabled, the edit button is disabled and users can't edit profile properties.
• Extensions monitoring in the Edge management service. The Microsoft Edge management service now allows admins to gain visibility into extensions installed across their managed users. From the extensions monitoring page, admins can see which extensions have been installed as well as manage user requests for blocked extensions. Note: This experience is in public preview and can be accessed by opting in to targeted release in the Microsoft 365 admin center. For more information, see Microsoft Edge Extensions Monitoring.
• Introducing a new policy that can enable/disable web app installation from the browser. Admins can control whether users can install web apps through the browser using the WebAppInstallByUserEnabled policy.
• Announcement page on update experience. Starting in Edge 145, Edge for Business will show a "What's New" page the first time the browser is launched following a major update. The page will help your users understand new features and how to use them for maximum productivity. Admins can control availability to this feature using the WhatsNewPageForEntraProfilesEnabled policy.
• Faster, more reliable Read Aloud in PDFs. PDF Read Aloud has been updated to significantly reduce time-to-start and improve reliability, while keeping the existing Read Aloud experience and entry points unchanged. This improvement is available only in the new PDF viewer in Edge.

How to update Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge can update on its own, but if you need to bump it to the latest version, there's a process to do so manually.

1. Open Settings in Edge through the "..." menu and by clicking Settings.
2. Click About Microsoft Edge in the left-hand panel (you may have to expand this through the hamburger menu).
3. If there is an update ready to be installed, click Restart.

If Microsoft Edge is up to date, that section of Settings will say so and list the current version of Edge that is running.

We'd like to hear your thoughts

What do you think of Microsoft Edge in 2026? How does it stack up against other browsers?

Let us know in the comments below.

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Microsoft currently runs a program called Jumpstart that offers PC manufacturers incentives tied to how Windows devices are configured.

On the surface, that sounds fairly standard. However, Brazil’s competition regulator, CADE, is now investigating whether the program effectively pressures manufacturers to preinstall Microsoft Edge in a way that limits rival browsers.

In simple terms, regulators want to know whether these incentives cross the line into restricting competition.

This also isn’t the first time Microsoft has faced criticism over how it promotes Edge. Many users have pointed out that searching for Google Chrome in Bing can trigger prompts encouraging people to stick with Edge instead.

Now, regulators are looking at whether similar tactics extend beyond software prompts and into agreements with PC makers themselves.

What CADE is actually investigating

CADE is an independent federal agency in Brazil responsible for protecting free competition. In this case, it is investigating whether Microsoft restricts PC manufacturers from preinstalling other browsers alongside Edge under its Jumpstart program.

If that restriction is proven, the agency could view it as anti-competitive.

CADE is investigating 10 different PC manufacturers over the issue, following Opera’s complaint.

It is also examining the contracts between Microsoft and those PC makers. The agency wants to understand how much room manufacturers were given to negotiate and whether the terms were flexible or effectively fixed.

The regulator is reviewing how many PCs were sold under the Jumpstart program between 2020 and 2025 and how those sales compare to devices sold outside the program.

It will also assess the financial impact on OEMs if they choose to leave Jumpstart. That includes examining the incentives Microsoft provides and whether those benefits could influence competition in the browser market.

What started the investigation?

The concern around Microsoft potentially acting in an anti-competitive way stems from a formal complaint filed by Opera. For those unfamiliar, Opera is another web browser that relies heavily on visibility and distribution to reach new users.

Opera is also part of the Browser Choice Alliance; a coalition of browser companies that argue Microsoft’s Windows practices make it harder for alternative browsers to compete fairly.

At the heart of the issue is whether Microsoft is using its commercial agreements with PC manufacturers to limit what those manufacturers can preinstall on new devices. If that is the case, it could give Microsoft an unfair advantage by reducing consumer choice at the point of purchase.

In a statement to Neowin, The Browser Choice Alliance has welcomed CADE’s move, framing it as a necessary step toward protecting competition and consumer choice. They stated:

It has been a turbulent few months for Microsoft, with one controversy following another, and now this investigation.

Whether the claims are well-founded remains to be seen, but for now, we will have to wait and see how the situation unfolds.

Do you think preinstalled browsers influence consumer choice on new PCs? Let us know your thoughts in the comments and make sure to take part in our poll below:

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Anyone, myself included, who spends a lot of time writing will use a grammar-checking tool, such as Grammarly or the popular alternative, LanguageTool.

LanguageTool is a free and open-source grammar tool, which is reason enough for many to use it. Alas, the free part is going away, at least when it comes to the browser extension.

Users are now being prompted that they have 14 days of LanguageTool Premium, with a timer counting down how long is left. Everyone using the extension is being given this trial, it seems, though when it expires, you either need to start paying or stop using it.

"We have made the difficult decision to limit the use of LanguageTool’s browser extension to Premium users only. The rise of generative AI has made it more challenging to sustainably monetize our offering. A majority of users use our products for free, and the relatively small percentage of Premium subscribers is all that is subsidizing our continuously increasing server costs. To improve our Premium experience and to sustain our business model, we’ll be making the LanguageTool browser extension available exclusively for paying customers." — LanguageTool

I'll admit to being disappointed as a LanguageTool user. But also a little confused about where the blame of generative AI truly lands. LanguageTool offers AI features in its premium tier while simultaneously claiming most of its users are using it for free.

That suggests to me that those of us who haven't been using the generative AI feature on the free tier are potentially being punished to free up resources for those who are.

Or perhaps it's just the overall server costs that keep climbing, along with everything else. Either way, we're out of options to keep using the browser extension without paying.

To their credit, LanguageTool's team has at least offered some free alternatives its users could migrate to. Additionally, if you host your own LanguageTool server, you'll still be able to keep using the browser extension. The website is also remaining free to use.

But the benefit of the browser extension has always been a simple way to use LanguageTool on any text in any browser tab, checking in real time. I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet, but at least I've got a couple of weeks to figure it out.

The Immersive Reader tool was introduced in 2020 when Microsoft made the switch to the new Chromium-based Edge web browser that we're still using today. Since then, it has largely remained the same, delivering a focused view akin to an ebook that's easier on the eyes.

Immersive Reader includes a Read Aloud function, which does exactly what its name suggests. As it stands now, you click the "Read aloud" button and a customizable voice begins reading what's on the page. It's an accessibility function that many can't live without, and I use it often when I want to "read" an article while my eyes are busy with something else.

In January, X user and regular Windows sleuth Leopeva64 noticed that Immersive Reader had been renamed to "Reading Mode" in context menus and the Edge tooltip in Edge Canary.

Now, as discovered once again by Leopeva64, Immersive Reader (now apparently named Reading Mode) has another change on the way. In the Edge Canary build — an unstable version of Edge used to test experimental features — clicking the "Read aloud" button in the redesigned, Copilot-infused toolbar no longer immediately begins the digital dictation as expected.

Instead, clicking "Read aloud" now launches Copilot Vision. In the demo video provided, a Copilot Vision overlay pops up at the bottom of the window and greets the user by name, as usual. From there, I suspect that you'll need to use voice commands in order to get Copilot Vision to read the content.

You can already use Copilot Vision on webpages within Edge via the Copilot sidebar. Testing it out this morning, it's largely a lesson in frustration. Attempting to get Copilot Vision to read an article word-for-word is seemingly impossible; it'd much rather give you a synopsis.

Employing Copilot Vision manually on an article loaded into the Immersive Reader feature in my public Edge release results in an error. Copilot says the page isn't supported or can't read it due to security issues.

Proper Copilot Vision integration that actually works with the renamed Reader Mode is assumedly on the way if these changes have been made in the Canary build, but you never know these days.

Whereas most of the Copilot- and AI-focused changes to Edge haven't really annoyed me too much, this one just seems unnecessary. I had no issues with the Read Aloud tool that's still available in public Edge releases, and the fact that I may now have to launch Copilot to use it is certainly irksome.

This week, I wrote about how Mozilla is adding a one-stop AI kill switch to its Firefox browser in the next update, and how I yearn for something similar in Edge. You can absolutely disable most AI features in Edge, but they're spread out over several Settings locations that aren't always easy to find.

Are you a fan of this experimental change to Edge Canary? Hope it will arrive in public channels? Why or why not? Let me know in the comments section!

Late last year, Mozilla announced that it was evolving Firefox into an AI browser as part of new CEO Anthony Enzor-DeMeo's new plan to turn Firefox into a "broader ecosystem of software."

This announcement sparked considerable pushback from Firefox users, much in the same way that Microsoft received backlash when it announced that it was evolving Windows into an agentic OS.

Mozilla quickly dampened the outrage after its announcement by letting users know that the AI tools in Firefox would be optional, and that there would be something like an AI kill switch to make the toggle easy. That promise has now been realized in a new announcement from Mozilla.

In an upcoming Firefox 148 update, expected to arrive on February 24, users will now have access to a one-stop settings section, including a single toggle to block all AI enhancements, within the browser.

Wouldn't it be nice to have something similar in Edge?

Will Microsoft ever implement a similar AI kill switch in Edge?

It seems like every major web browser is increasingly integrated with AI, and Edge is no different. Microsoft's AI CEO, Mustafa Suleyman, has stated that the plan is to evolve Edge into a "true agentic browser," giving AI access to the same tools you use, rather than creating a new product for the AI age.

Under this direction, Copilot Mode arrived in July 2025 as an experimental way to let AI take over your browser completely. Copilot Journeys and Copilot Actions arrived with wider availability late last year.

More recently, it was revealed that Microsoft is killing Edge's Sidebar app list feature. As my colleague Sean Endicott noted, the Edge Sidebar coincidentally gets in the way of Copilot in your browser window.

And if you aren't yet totally convinced that Microsoft wants to go full AI with Edge, just remember that the app is currently undergoing a major UI refresh to make it look more like the Copilot app instead of Windows 11's Fluent Design.

Edge's evolution has resulted in a mash-up of classic and AI tools across the browser and its menus. While the AI additions are largely useful and, as some would argue, necessary in the modern online world, they certainly aren't popular with all users.

As it stands now, the process of disabling Copilot and other AI features in Edge isn't as straightforward as many would like it to be. The settings are spread out in sub-menus like Appearance, Languages, and AI innovations, making it difficult for the average user to effectively disable all AI, should they desire to do so. But, hey, at least we can now easily hide the Copilot button on the toolbar.

Seeing Firefox get a unified AI kill switch only makes me want one for Edge. Microsoft is desperate to drive adoption of its web browser, and giving users the ability to easily disable Copilot would undoubtedly earn some good favor.

Are you a fan of Edge's AI integrations? Why or why not? Which ones do you use most? Let me know in the comments section!

In case you missed it, Microsoft recently shipped a new update for Microsoft Edge in the Stable Channel, bumping it to version 144.0.3719.82. The update ships with a plethora of bug fixes, feature updates, and notable improvements.

For instance, the update includes a fix for a browser crash that occurred when attempting to upload a file from a local folder.

Perhaps more interestingly, the new update gives users more control over the Copilot icon in the browser's toolbar. You can now remove Copilot from your toolbar by simply right-clicking the Copilot icon and selecting the "Hide Copilot" option.

Microsoft Edge 144.0.3719.82

Announcements

• New WebGL software backend. Microsoft Edge, on Windows systems without a physical GPU, now uses the Windows Advanced Rasterization Platform (WARP) rasterizer for WebGL workloads. Prior versions use SwiftShader, which is no longer a supported component. This scenario is most commonly associated with headless environments and virtual machines. On non-Windows platforms, a physical GPU is required for WebGL moving forward. This change is currently enabled by default starting in Microsoft Edge Stable version 144. Administrators can use the EnableUnsafeSwiftShader policy to temporarily defer the deprecation and continue using SwiftShader. This policy is temporary and scheduled for removal in a future release. Microsoft doesn't guarantee the security of environments where this policy is enabled. For more information, see Windows Advanced Rasterization Platform (WARP) Guide - Win32 apps.
• Announcement page on update experience. Starting in Edge 145, Edge for Business shows a "What's New" page the first time the browser is launched following a major update. The page helps your users understand new features and how to use them for maximum productivity. Admins can control availability to this feature using the WhatsNewPageForEntraProfilesEnabled policy.

Improved reliability

• Fixed a browser crash that occurred when attempting to upload a file from a local folder.

Feature updates

• Use Primary work profile as default profile to open external links. Microsoft Edge opens external links using the “Last Used” profile by default. While for enterprise users, the Primary Work Profile (signed in with a Microsoft Entra ID for enrolling the device) is normally the best profile for opening external links. With this feature, for Windows, Edge checks if the Primary Work Profile exists and makes it the default profile for opening external links if available. For Mac and Linux, if only one work profile signed in with a Microsoft Entra ID account is found, it’s treated as the Primary Work Profile. Admins can control availability to this feature using the EdgeOpenExternalLinksWithPrimaryWorkProfileEnabled policy.
• Microsoft Edge management enrollment token policy update. The EdgeManagementEnrollmentToken policy has been updated to require configuration from the platform. Any values set from the cloud will be ignored, which includes existing deployments of this policy from the cloud.
• Performance settings update and feature name changes. The efficiency mode feature name changes to energy saver and efficiency mode for PC gaming name will be renamed PC gaming boost to better describe the feature benefits. The new names will be in browser performance settings after the update.
• Tenant Restrictions v2 (TRv2). New enforcement to block access from unauthorized Microsoft 365 tenants directly in Microsoft Edge for Business, helping organizations maintain strict compliance and prevent data leakage across tenant boundaries.
• Copilot icon visibility. Users can now manage the Copilot icon in their toolbar. To hide the icon, right-click the Copilot icon and select “Hide Copilot”. This opens Settings to toggle the icon’s visibility. Admins can control whether the Copilot icon shows in the toolbar using the Microsoft365CopilotChatIconEnabled policy.
• Contextual nudges on address bar offering help summarizing webpages. Microsoft Edge for Business now includes an easy way for users to get summaries of their open page from the address bar using Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat. This feature seeks to help users more easily understand relevant content and save time.
• Improved Autofill experience in Microsoft Edge. When users fill in an Address on a form, they'll be prompted to choose whether to save it for future Autofill suggestions. This enhancement ensures Autofill data is saved intentionally by users and reduces unwanted entries as part of their Autofill suggestion.
• Desktop Visual Search. Quickly send images to Bing Visual Search from the Edge Desktop Search Bar to identify images, people, animals, and shows; extract, copy, and translate text while keeping its format. Solve questions quickly in various subjects and get trusted information to boost your knowledge. Discover products, fashion, recipes, identify a location and more. Available on Windows devices. Admins can control availability to this feature using the VisualSearchEnabled policy. Note: This is a controlled feature rollout. If you don't see this feature, check back as we continue our rollout.

The ability to hide the Copilot icon from Microsoft Edge's toolbar certainly seems like a useful addition, especially for users who don't particularly care for or use it at all. There has been an influx of third-party tools being developed to specifically remove unwanted AI experiences from Windows 11, which some might consider to be bloatware or "AI slop."

Elsewhere, Microsoft recently announced killing off its Collections feature in Edge. It allows people to save and organize links, notes, and research. To that end, Microsoft's decision to end support for the nifty feature before it hits its peak remains unclear.

Do you use Copilot in Microsoft Edge? Share your thoughts in the comments and cast your vote in the poll!

Microsoft Edge is killing off its Collections feature — the tool many relied on to save and organize links, notes, and research. Instead of a smooth transition, users are finding themselves caught in the crossfire: data is at risk, migration is clunky, and once again, Microsoft looks like it’s abandoning a feature before it ever reached its full potential, or was it more that just people didn't use it?

"Collections is being retired," reads the browser. "You will no longer be able to add new items to Collections. To keep your saved content, you can export it, or move all pages to your Favorites before removal."

Below that message sit shortcuts to move pages to favorites or export your data.

The retirement has been hinted at for months, but the process seems to have turned a corner. Windows Report spotted the message within Edge Dev recently.

The two options presented by Edge are not full replacements for Collections. If you opt to move pages to favorites, you'll lose other content such as images and notes. Exporting your data retains all of your content in a CSV file, but the items will no longer be in your browser. The end result is that there is no way to retain all your data within Edge.

It's unclear when Collections will be retired, so it's worth moving your data now if you rely on the feature.

Why is Microsoft Edge losing another feature?

I'm the first to criticize Microsoft when its leaders decide to remove a fan-favorite feature, but I don't think that's what's happening here. Collections do not appear to be popular among Edge users.

Leo Varela, who follows the development of Microsoft Edge closely, noted on X that many stopped using Collections in Edge after Microsoft switched from a native implementation to a web-based one:

You could argue that Microsoft made the feature worse, which ultimately resulted in lower usage. But as things stand, Collections is rarely used, at least in comparison to other Edge features.

The situation with Collections appears different from what's going on with the Edge Sidebar. The Sidebar app list is being retired, and there's a chance that the entire Sidebar as we know it is at risk.

Microsoft claims that the move is being made because the company is "simplifying Edge," but I can't help but notice that the Edge Sidebar competes directly with Copilot in Edge. The two features take up the same space on your screen.

I'm not a betting man, but if I were, I'd always bet on Microsoft choosing Copilot over an alternative. Heck, the company is even making Edge look more like Copilot.

Regardless of why any individual feature is being retired, I think Edge has drifted from its roots. When Microsoft refreshed the browser with a Chromium engine, Edge felt like a Google-free Chrome with some welcome enhancements.

For longtime Edge users, this feels like déjà vu. Microsoft launches a promising feature, lets it linger without proper support, then quietly kills it off — leaving users scrambling to protect their data. Whether you see this as a necessary cleanup or another example of Microsoft slacking on fundamentals, one thing is clear: trust in Edge’s ecosystem just took another hit.

What do you think of the current state of Microsoft Edge? Is the browser headed in the right direction?

Microsoft may need to send a memo to its ad team. A new ad for PC gaming shows Google Chrome pinned to the taskbar of a computer.

While it's entirely reasonable to assume people who use Windows 11 also use Google Chrome, it's odd to see an official ad from Microsoft highlight the fact. Microsoft aggressively pushes Microsoft Edge. That push is greater than ever now that Edge falls under Microsoft's AI division.

As for the ad itself, it is a brief commercial from around Christmas. It shows several popular games on a variety of laptops. All those devices run Windows 11, which Microsoft and its ad call "The Home of Gaming."

Windows Latest spotted the ad. Chrome appears early on within the video.

Windows is the home of gaming in many ways. As of December, almost 95% of all Steam gamers use some form of Windows. Gamers even appear more likely to upgrade to Windows 11 or run newer hardware that ships with Windows 11 — 70.83% of Steam users are on Windows 11.

The Steam client is now 64-bit on both Windows 11 and Windows 10, thanks to a recent update. While Steam has gained more attention with the rollout and success of SteamOS, the platform is largely for PC gaming.

Technically speaking, macOS has a measurable market share among gamers, but the operating system does not really compete with Windows on the gaming front.

While Windows dominates in terms of gaming market share, many are looking at alternatives to Windows 11, specifically. When Windows 10 reached its end of support, millions of PCs were stuck due to minimum hardware requirements of Windows 11.

Around 90% of Windows games can now run on Linux, making it a viable option for some. But major titles like Call of Duty, Apex Legends, Battlefield 6, Rainbow Six Siege, and Valorant cannot run on Linux due to kernel-level anti-cheat systems.

Only 3% of Steam users run Linux, but that figure is higher than many would have expected just a few years ago.

I used to work in product marketing. While it was never to the scale of Microsoft, I did showcase products in promotional images and videos. It's standard practice to ensure that your desktop or home screen only shows the exact content you'd like. For example, if you made a sizzler reel for Microsoft Teams, you probably wouldn't show Slack in use on your desktop.

The makers of the ad appear to have done that to some extent. The taskbar in the commercial has Copilot, the Microsoft Store, the Xbox app, and the Snipping Tool pinned rather than alternatives. Interestingly, Microsoft Edge also appears.

Promotional videos do not always reflect reality. Unpinning an app from your taskbar before taking a screenshot is pretty common. If you keep an eye out, you'll see marketing and how-to illustrations show sanitized versions of PCs that no one would use in real life. Want a fun game? Go check the bookmarks shown on any content advertising a browser or browser-based piece of software.

It's wrong to assume everyone at Microsoft uses Microsoft Edge. Heck, we know many folks at Microsoft didn't use Windows Phone even when it existed. In fact, staff were "shocked" that game director Daniel Vávra used Windows Phone "voluntarily."

But I would assume that when you're making ads for a company, regardless of whether you're an in-house team or a hired firm, you promote that brand. Microsoft has aggressive campaigns designed to convince people to switch from Chrome to Edge. Showing Chrome pinned to the taskbar of an ad undermines those efforts.

Should Microsoft promote Google products in ads? Do you think Chrome's inclusion was a mistake? Let us know in the comments.

As Microsoft pushes Windows 11 to become an agentic OS full of AI tools, people are pushing back. Microsoft's Windows lead, Pavan Davuluri, had to comment on the recent backlash surrounding the direction of Windows.

"But you can just turn AI features off," you may say. "If you don't like AI, just don't use it." If only it were that simple. Seemingly, Microsoft values AI so much that the company's higher-ups are willing to strip features out of default apps in order to reduce Copilot's competition.

In the latest Edge Canary build, the browser shows a notification explaining the Sidebar app list is being retired.

X user and Edge feature tracker Leo Varela spotted a message within Edge Canary:

"Sidebar app list is being retired

We're simplifying Edge. New apps can no longer be added, and the quick access list will be removed gradually in future updates.

Copilot is not affected—this helps us focus on making it even better."

That message won’t give hope to those who like pinning sites and web apps to the Sidebar in Edge.

While Microsoft did not specify that Sidebar is being retired because of Copilot, it's difficult to ignore that the two tools fight for the same space within Edge.

History of Edge Sidebar

The Edge Sidebar is a dedicated section of Microsoft Edge that has several tools built in, such as a calculator and Edge Drop (an underrated feature in itself). You can also pin websites and web apps to the Sidebar.

Many websites are optimized for mobile devices. On most PCs, the aspect ratio of a website in the Sidebar is roughly the same as that of a smartphone, making the Sidebar an excellent way to view a website without having to leave a webpage.

The Sidebar is also great for web apps like Telegram. When I turned my laptop into an "EdgeBook" by using Edge exclusively, I relied heavily on the Sidebar.

I've followed the development of the Edge Sidebar since its debut. Heck, I even helped bring back a shortcut to hide the Sidebar after Microsoft accidentally removed it (though the option has since disappeared again).

I fear our Managing Editor, Richard Devine, and I like Edge's Sidebar more than Microsoft does. At a minimum, we prioritize the Sidebar over Copilot. The same cannot be said for Microsoft.

The same space that holds the icon to open the Sidebar is now used to open Copilot. On the stable version of Edge, you can hide the Copilot icon to show just the Sidebar icon.

Since the two tools live in the same space, there seems to be a tension between them. With how much Microsoft is pushing Copilot, it's unsurprising that the tech giant would deprecate a feature competing for the same space.

I'm disappointed that Microsoft appears willing to toss out the Sidebar to prioritize Copilot. It also seems like the tech giant could find a way to have both features appear without competing.

Microsoft's actions illustrate a passion for AI that could border on obsession. A recent ad from the company shows Copilot failing to follow instructions and a user pretending things worked as intended.

Copilot can be a genuinely helpful tool, but many believe Microsoft pushes it too much. I'm among that group, especially if Copilot is the reason I lose my favorite feature in Edge.

YouTube is waging an unending war against ad blockers, and today, there seems to be a big update that is causing many users to assume that YouTube has gone down entirely.

Looking at Down Detector's graph, YouTube outage reports began spiking around 12 AM EST but didn't take off until about 6 AM. Thousands of reports have flooded in, making it seem like YouTube has indeed gone offline in some regions (via Tom's Guide).

The root of the issue, however, seems to lie in an anti-ad blocker update.

The YouTube subreddit has been flooded with screenshots of grey panels where the regular YouTube web UI should be, with many others asking if YouTube is down.

Most of these posts are followed up with the same comments: YouTube is working fine. It's your ad blocker that's getting in the way.

This is far from the first time that YouTube has cracked down on the use of ad blockers, which can effectively remove ads on the page and from popping up to interrupt your streamed videos.

The battle has been going on for years, but in June 2025, YouTube effectively doubled down on its battle, closing some loopholes that allowed viewing with an ad blocker enabled. At the same time, it began to intentionally slow down the loading of videos for users who were still able to get through with an ad blocker enabled.

This, of course, only led to improvements from the ad blocker companies in what can be likened to a classic cat-and-mouse situation.

Today's ad blocker apocalypse is still falling out, but the YouTube subreddit seems to have figured out the root of the new problems. The Opera GX browser and its built-in ad blocker have been mentioned several times as having an issue with YouTube.

Comment from r/youtube

Another user claims it's "only happening on Chromium browsers and only when signed in," while another claims that using Firefox without being signed in is not triggering YouTube's anti-ad block measures.

Comment from r/youtube

Microsoft's Edge browser seems to have come out unscathed. I personally just tested YouTube on Edge using uBlock Origin, and it's not giving me any playback issues.

You might still be able to load YouTube as usual, depending on which ad blocker and web browser you're using, but many will find today that it's either time to upgrade to YouTube Premium or find a new workaround.

What can I do to get around YouTube's anti-ad blocking system?

Ad revenue is an essential aspect of online business, something that YouTube's owner, Google, knows all too well. The company serves billions of ads every day across the global internet.

One way to avoid the issues with YouTube and ad blockers is to sign up for YouTube Premium, a subscription that costs $13.99 per month (or less if you subscribe for a whole year).

YouTube Premium removes ads from videos and allows for background play and downloads. It's a nice idea, but that's a steep price for a lot of people who don't watch that many videos but are nevertheless tired of the incessant, intrusive ads.

As I mentioned, it doesn't seem like every browser and ad blocker has been affected by YouTube's update. Edge and uBlock Origin are working fine for me, although your mileage may vary.

If you're more inclined to take matters into your own hands and don't mind tinkering with a Raspberry Pi, Windows Central's Richard Devine put together a handy guide on how to create a network-wide ad blocker that can't be stopped by Google.

FAQ

Microsoft has announced an update coming to its Edge web browser on Windows 11 that introduces support for syncing passkeys to the cloud via your Microsoft Account for use across multiple devices. "We’re thrilled to share that passkeys can now be securely saved and synced across your Windows desktop devices using Microsoft Password Manager in Edge," says Microsoft.

Passkeys are a relatively new way of secure way of storing login information for online accounts and apps using the 'Fast IDentity Online 2' (FIDO2) open standard. Passkeys don't require a password, instead relying on your device's built-in security methods such as fingerprint, face unlock, or numeric PIN. It makes signing in quicker, binding login information directly to the device.

Frustratingly, most platforms that can handle passkeys don't support syncing them across devices. This means that if you ever lose that device, you lose the ability to sign into that account unless you have a recovery method set up. I've often factory reset my PC and forgot to back up my passkeys, resulting in me losing access to some online accounts.

That's finally changing with Microsoft Edge, which will now let you sync passkeys using your Microsoft Account. That means you can sign into Edge on any Windows 11 PC, and have your passkeys carried with you across devices so that you never lose access to them, even if you lose access to one particular device.

"Passkeys are stored in your Microsoft account and protected by a Microsoft Password Manager PIN, which you’ll setup while creating passkey for the very first time," explains Microsoft. "When you visit a site which supports passkeys, you’ll be asked if you’d like to create a passkey in Microsoft Password Manager. The created passkey gets saved in Microsoft Password Manager and can be used to login to the specific website by simply performing your preferred way of device authentication such as fingerprint, facial recognition, or PIN code."

Microsoft says that syncing passkeys with the cloud is just as secure as storing them locally on a device. The passkeys are encrypted in the cloud, and have additional Microsoft Password Manager PIN protection on top. "For unlocking passkeys on a new device, you will have a maximum of 10 attempts to input the correct PIN."

You'll be able to manage all of your saved passkeys using the Microsoft Password Manager that's built into the Edge browser. Microsoft says support for syncing passkeys across devices will be coming to mobile and Mac soon, but it's rolling out in waves first on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

On Windows 11, you can use Copilot with the official native app or through integration within other apps, and in this guide, I'll help you get started with the chatbot.

Copilot is a personal assistant (similar to Cortana) that uses AI to understand your query using natural language and produce an answer or action. However, unlike other AI features on Windows 11, this chatbot doesn't rely on AI models locally available on the device. Instead, it depends on large language models available through the Microsoft cloud.

In addition, Microsoft has been proactively updating this application to further integrate the experience into the operating system with Connector, Vision, file search, and the ability to interact with the assistant hands-free with the "Hey Copilot" voice command.

Furthermore, Copilot is available as a separate integration through the different apps, including Notepad, File Explorer, Photos, Paint, Microsoft 365 (Office) apps, and Microsoft Edge.

In this how-to guide, I'll outline the steps to get started with the Copilot experience available on Windows 11.

How to navigate the Copilot app

On Windows 11, the Copilot app experience is minimal and straightforward. You can access the chatbot in multiple ways and configure a few settings.

Sign in account

To log in to your account (if required), use these steps:

1. Click the Sign in button at the bottom left.

• Quick tip: If you don't see the option, click the "Open Sidebar" button in the top left corner.

2. Click the Sign in button again.

3. Complete your credentials to access your account.

Once you complete the steps, you can start interacting with Copilot using natural language.

Launch Copilot

In addition to using the button in the Taskbar, you can launch the Copilot chatbot in several ways.

From Start

To launch the Copilot experience on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Copilot and click the top result to open the app.

You may also find the Copilot button already pinned to the Taskbar. If it's not available, launch the chatbot from the Start menu, right-click the button, and choose the pin option.

From Search

You can also invoke the chatbot with the Copilot button when performing a query in the Windows Search experience. However, when you click this button, it will access the chatbot website (at Copilot.Microsoft.com) using the Microsoft Edge browser.

From voice command

If the "Listen for 'Hey, Copilot'" is available, you can interact with the chatbot hands-free using the "Hey Copilot" voice command.

Customize Copilot app experience

From the Copilot settings, you can configure most of the features available with the chatbot on Windows 11.

Control Copilot app on startup

To customize the experience of Copilot, use these steps:

1. Click the account menu from the top left.

• Quick tip: If you don't see the menu, click the top-left menu icon to open the sidebar.

2. Click the Settings option.
3. Under the "App" section, turn on the "Auto start on log in" toggle switch to launch the app automatically when the computer starts.

Once you complete the steps, Copilot will start minimizing during startup.

If the option is grayed out, open Settings > Apps > Startup, and turn Copilot on or off on startup.

Configure file search permissions

On Windows 11, you can allow Copilot to access your files to work like Windows Search, but using AI.

To enable search permissions in Copilot, use these steps:

1. Click the account menu from the top left.
2. Click the Settings option.
3. Under the "Permission settings" section, turn on the "File search" toggle to allow access to local files.
4. Turn on the "File read" toggle switch to give Copilot permission to analyze the data in the files to answer questions using AI.

5. (Optional) Turn off the "Show recent files on home" toggle switch to prevent the app from showing recent files on the main page.

After you complete the steps, the assistant will have to search local files stored on your computer.

Set up Copilot shortcut

You can also control the action for the keyboard shortcut that opens and closes the Copilot app.

To manage Copilot shortcut behaviors, use these steps:

1. Click the account menu from the top left.
2. Click the Settings option.
3. Under the "Copilot Keyboard Shortcuts" section, choose what happens when opening and restoring the chatbot using the Copilot or "Windows key + C" keyboard shortcut. For example, a normal full window or compact view.
4. Choose the "Press and hold" action when invoking the shortcut.

Once you complete the steps, the new configuration will apply to the Copilot shortcut behavior.

Enable Hey Copilot voice command

Microsoft now lets you interact with Copilot hands-free, as you could with Cortana, but the idea is that you'll be able to use natural language to interact with an AI assistant.

To enable the Hey Copilot command, use these steps:

1. Click the account menu from the top left.
2. Click the Settings option.
3. (Option 1) Under the "Voice mode" section, turn on the "Listen 'Hey Copilot' to start a conversation" toggle switch.

4. (Option 2) Turn off the "Listen 'Hey Copilot' to start a conversation" toggle switch to disable the feature.

Although it isn't required, you can also use the "Voice" setting to change the chatbot's voice for conversations.

Enable Copilot Vision

Copilot Vision lets you share any application with the Copilot app. Once you grant permission, the chatbot can view and make sense of the content on the screen, enabling it to offer help with virtually anything you may need.

To enable Copilot Vision on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Click the account menu from the top left.
2. Click the Settings option.
3. (Option 1) Under the "Copilot Vision" section, turn on the "Highlights" toggle switch to enable the feature.

4. (Option 2) Turn off the "Highlights" toggle switch to disable the feature.

Once you complete the steps, you'll see a goggle button in the Copilot app. When you click the button, you can select an app to share with Copilot, then interact with it by voice.

Change Copilot app privacy settings

To prevent Microsoft from using your data to train its AI models, use these steps:

1. Click the account menu from the top left.
2. Click the Settings option.
3. Click the Privacy page.

4. Turn off the "Diagnostic Data Sharing" toggle switch.
5. Turn off the "Model training on text" toggle switch.
6. Turn off the "Model training on voice" toggle switch.
7. Turn off the "Personalization and memory" toggle switch.

8. (Optional) Click the Delete Memory to clear the information that the chatbot knows about you.

Once you complete the steps, when using Copilot on Windows 11, mobile, or web, you will no longer be sending your data for training and personalization to the Microsoft servers.

Manage Copilot's memory

Similar to OpenAI's ChatGPT, Copilot can also store helpful details you’ve shared across conversations so it can offer more personalized support. Usually, you only want to feed facts like your name, preferences, interests, or goals, and then the assistant can use them to tailor its responses to you.

To add or remove items from memory, use these steps:

1. Click the account menu from the top left.
2. Click the Settings option.
3. Click the Manage memory page.

• Quick note: This option is only available if the "Personalization and memory" option is turned on in the privacy settings.

4. Click the delete button for the information you want Copilot to forget.

5. (Optional) Click the "Add to memory" button to bring up the prompt to store more information you want the assistant to remember.

After you complete the steps, Copilot will only remember the information left in memory.

Configure Copilot Connectors

Copilot connectors are integration tools that allow the Copilot app on Windows 11 to access and understand external data sources.

You can connect Copilot to your personal services, such as OneDrive, Outlook, Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Calendar.

To connect external services to Copilot, use these steps:

1. Click the account menu from the top left.
2. Click the Settings option.
3. Click the Connectors page.

4. Turn on the Microsoft services that you want Copilot to have access to, such as OneDrive and Outlook.

5. Click the Connect button and continue with the on-screen directions to connect Google services.

Once you complete the steps, you can use natural language to ask Copilot anything about the contents on those services.

How to interact with Copilot app

Getting started with Copilot is straightforward, thanks to the new, warmer, cozy interface that only includes a message box at the bottom of the page. You will also notice that the latest experience no longer includes the option to change the conversation style like before.

Text prompt

To use text prompts with Copilot, use these steps:

1. Open the Copilot app.
2. (Option 1) Choose the Quick response option for everyday questions.

3. (Option 2) Choose the Think Deeper option to allow the chatbot to create answers for more complex topics.
4. (Option 3) Choose the Smart (GPT-5) option if you want the chatbot to adapt automatically for fast, simple tasks and deep for complex ones.
5. (Option 4) Select the Deep Research option allows you to generate detailed reports, comparisons, or multi-source answers. This option is best when you need citations, context, and thorough exploration.
6. Compose your prompt in the "Message Copilot" box and press Enter.

• Quick tip: In the box, you can ask anything using natural language. For instance, you can ask questions like "Make me a picture of a serene koi fish pond with lily pads," "Write a story about a dog who lives on the moon," or "Create a five-day itinerary to visit Chicago in November."

7. Copilot understands the context, so you can ask additional questions about the same topic without repeating specific keywords.
8. Click the plus (+) button to upload an image to the AI, and then you can ask it for more information about that piece of content.

Once you complete the steps, it's recommended to check the answer, as AI usually makes mistakes.

If you're using Copilot Mode in Microsoft Edge, the "Smart (GPT-5)" option will appear as "Smart," which is also the default configuration.

Also, you'll find the "Real talk" mode for honest answers, and the "Study and learn" option is more for guided learning and educational tasks.

Voice prompt

To start a voice conversation with Copilot, follow these steps:

1. Open the Copilot app.
2. Click the microphone button.

• Quick note: Although it might be obvious, this feature requires access to a microphone. If your device doesn't have one, you won't be able to use it.

3. Start a conversation using natural language with the chatbot.
4. (Optional) Click the Settings (gear) button to change the chatbot's voice.
5. Click the Close (X) button to open the main interface again.

You can ask the chatbot anything and interrupt it like during a normal conversation with another human.

Copilot Vision on the desktop

Copilot Vision lets you share your screen with the chatbot to get assistance with virtually any activity you're doing.

To get started with Vision on Copilot while working on an application, use these steps:

1. Open the Copilot app.
2. Click the glasses button.
3. Click the Share button to request that the AI assist you.

4. Chat with the chatbot to get assistance with the application.

For example, if you're in the Settings app, you can say something like: Can you show me where I can check for system updates? And Copilot will be able to highlight where you need to go to change the settings.

It's important to note that the chatbot can guide you through the process, but it can't take actions automatically.

Also, even though the technology is impressive, in my experience, it's not very accurate.

File Search with Copilot

You can also use Copilot to search for files on your computer instead of using the Windows Search feature, but you have to enable the feature manually.

To allow Copilot to search files locally stored on your device, use these steps:

1. Open the Copilot app.
2. Compose your search query using natural language. For example, what files did I work on this week? And the chatbot should be able to surface the files you're looking for.

If you click the file, the corresponding application will open. You can also click the "View all files" button (if applicable) to open the search result in File Explorer.

How to get started with inbox apps Copilot integration

Copilot integrates with various apps, including Notepad, File Explorer, Paint, Photos, and Click to Do.

For example, in Notepad, the Copilot integration adds options to modify a text section. For instance, you can write, rewrite, summarize, and change tones and formats.

In File Explorer, the integration is subtle, with an "Ask Copilot" option in the context menu that lets you send an image or document to the Copilot app to ask any question you have about the file.

It's worth noting that File Explorer now also includes AI actions, which let you perform various actions on images and Office documents.

In the Paint, you'll find a deeper Copilot integration. For example, you can use the AI assistant to create an image using a simple text prompt. You also get an option to remove the background or erase an object within an image with a single click.

Also, if you have a Copilot+ PC, you'll have access to the "Cocreator" feature to turn a hand-made sketch into a polished artwork in real-time.

The "Sticker generator" feature lets you create stickers with AI, and the "Restyle" feature enables you to transform the art style of an image already on the canvas. It's one of the new generative AI features being integrated into the app.

Finally, on Copilot+ PCs, when using Click to Do, you can access different Copilot actions, including the "Ask Copilot" button to send selected text or objects to the Copilot app.

In addition, you will find options to rewrite, summarize, and create bulleted lists from selected text.

On the other hand, if you're selecting an object, the options will be slightly different.

How to get started with inbox apps Copilot integration

If you use the Microsoft 365 (Office) apps, you'll also find Copilot on Word, Excel, OneNote, and PowerPoint.

To use Copilot in Word, use these steps:

1. Open Microsoft Word.
2. Click the Home tab.
3. Click the Copilot button.

4. Compose the prompt for the task you want the AI to assist you with.

For example, you can ask the chatbot to summarize the document, generate an audio overview of the document's contents, or even ask it to create an image based on a text description.

The steps to use Copilot in Excel, OneNote, and PowerPoint are virtually the same. The only difference is that your conversation and responses will be tailored to the application you're using.

How to manage the Copilot integration on Windows 11

On Windows 11, how you manage Copilot depends on the application you're using to access the assistant.

For example, if you uninstall the Copilot app, it will remove the app and the "Ask Copilot" integration from most places. However, in the Microsoft 365 apps and Edge, you can only turn off the integration.

In the case of Notepad, you only have access to some Copilot AI actions. You cannot chat with the assistant, and if you want to turn off the feature, you have to do so from within the settings page.

Remove Copilot integration

If you want to remove the Copilot integration across the operating system and apps, you will have to perform some extra steps in addition to uninstalling the app, due to how the AI integrates into the different applications.

Uninstall Copilot app

To uninstall the Copilot app, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Apps.
3. Click the Installed apps page on the right side.

4. Open the main menu (three dots) to the right of the Copilot app.
5. Click the Uninstall button.

6. Click the Uninstall button again.
7. (Optional) Open the main menu (three dots) to the right of the Microsoft 365 Copilot app.
8. Click the Uninstall button to uninstall the Copilot app for Microsoft 365 apps..

Once you complete the steps, the Copilot app will be removed from your computer. However, you will still see the button inside the Windows Search experience from the Taskbar.

Disable Copilot on Microsoft Edge

Also, the Copilot feature from Microsoft Edge is independent of the dedicated app available in the operating system. If you want to turn off this feature, use these steps:

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Open the "Settings and more" (three dots) menu and choose the Settings option.
3. Click on Copilot and sidebar.

4. Click the Copilot setting.
5. Turn off the "Show Copilot button on the toolbar" toggle switch.

After you complete the steps, the assistant will no longer be available through the web browser.

Disable Copilot on Notepad

If you don't want to use Copilot in Notepad, use these steps:

1. Open Notepad.
2. Click the Settings button.
3. Turn off the Copilot toggle switch.

Once you complete the steps, Copilot and the profile menu will be disabled from Notepad.

Disable Copilot on Microsoft 365 apps

You can also disable Copilot from the Microsoft 365 apps with these steps:

1. Open Word, Excel, OneNote, or PowerPoint.
2. Click on File.
3. Click on Options.

4. Clear the Enable Copilot option.

5. Click the OK button.
6. Restart the app.

After you complete the steps, the Copilot will be turned off on the application, but you will have to repeat the steps on each application for which you want to disable the chatbot.

Re-enable Copilot integration

At any time, you can always reinstall the Copilot app and re-enable the chatbot and actions on apps.

Install the Copilot app

To install the Copilot app, use these steps:

1. Open the Copilot app page.
2. Click the "View in Store" button.
3. Click the Get (or Install) button.

Once you complete the steps, the Copilot will be available from the Start menu.

Re-enable Copilot on Microsoft Edge

To enable the chatbot on the browser, use these steps:

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Open the "Settings and more" (three dots) menu and choose the Settings option.
3. Click on Appearance.
4. Click the "Copilot and sidebar" setting under the "Other appearance settings" section.
5. Click the Copilot setting.

• Turn on the "Show Copilot button on the toolbar" toggle switch.

After you complete the steps, the chatbot will be enabled again on the web browser.

Re-enable Copilot on Notepad

To re-enable the Copilot actions in Notepad, use these steps:

1. Open Notepad.
2. Click the Settings button.
3. Turn on the Copilot toggle switch.

Once you complete the steps, the AI actions will enable one more time in Notepad.

How to access Copilot on Microsoft Edge

On Microsoft Edge, Copilot is a little different, since the assistant offers a more tailored experience for the web.

Before getting started, you want to enable "Copilot Mode" in the browser. You can do this from "edge://settings/ai" and turn on the AI mode experience across the browser and the new tab page. Alternatively, you can enable this mode on this Microsoft page.

Once you enable the experience, on the "AI innovations" page, you'll notice a few more options, including Journeys and Actions. You can click each option to enable it. (These last two features are in limited preview at the time of writing.)

New tab page with Copilot

The Copilot Mode will transform the new tab page into an AI prompt, identical to the Copilot home on the web.

The prompt box is smart enough to understand when you want a web result, open a website, or an answer with AI.

The default mode is "Smart," which tries to make the best decision about the action intent and uses the GPT-5 model.

The "Think Deeper" option allows the chatbot to create answers for more complex topics.

The "Deep Research" option allows you to generate detailed reports, comparisons, or multi-source answers. This option is best when you need citations, context, and thorough exploration.

Also, you'll find the "Real talk" mode for honest answers, and the "Study and learn" option is more for guided learning and educational tasks.

The "Quick response" option is best suited for everyday conversation.

Copilot Vision on Edge

The integration of Copilot on Microsoft Edge also includes Vision to assist with anything you're doing on the web.

To get started with Vision on Copilot, use these steps:

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. (Option 1) Open a new tab page to access the Copilot prompt.
3. (Option 2) Click the Chat button in the top-right.
4. Click the microphone button.

Once you complete the steps, Vision will activate, and you can start asking questions about anything you see on the screen.

Chat with Copilot on a web page

You can also invoke Copilot from any web page using the "Chat" option from the top-right side of the screen.

While in this experience, you can use the chatbot to ask questions about the content you're viewing.

If the default size of the flyout is limited, you can also click the "Pin" button to dock it to the side.

The default configuration for the prompt box is "Quick response," which is appropriate for everyday conversations.

Copilot Journeys

The "Journeys" feature allows Copilot to analyze your browsing history and habits to automatically group related past browsing projects into specific, task-focused storylines called "Journeys."

When you turn on this feature, the assistant will create a summary of each page you visit, and it'll store other details, such as page title, URL, searches, chats, and more.

This feature not only lets you pick up quickly where you left off, but in a way, it improves the bookmarking experience.

Copilot Actions

The "Actions" is a feature that goes beyond generating text or summarizing information. It enables the AI to take direct action on your behalf to complete tasks.

On Microsoft Edge, this feature turns the AI into an "agent" that can interact with websites and the browser itself to complete multi-step tasks.

Copilot Actions is a feature that is still in development, but you can use it for actions like booking a restaurant, unsubscribing from email newsletters, and more.

Journeys and Actions are opt-in features, and they require confirmation before finalizing an action to ensure security and user permission. Also, it's worth repeating that these features are in preview and limited to users in the United States.

FAQs about getting started with Copilot

These are common questions regarding Copilot on Windows 11.

More resources

Find in-depth guides, troubleshooting tips, and the latest updates on Windows 11 and 10 here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

Microsoft has announced wider availability of two new AI-based features for its Edge web browser dubbed Copilot Actions and Copilot Journeys, both of which were first announced earlier this summer. Copilot Actions allows Copilot to take control and interact with the web for you, and Copilot Journeys allows Copilot to remember your browsing history and create 'journeys' that you can pick back up from anywhere.

Copilot Actions in Edge compliment the recently announced Copilot Actions for Windows feature, allowing Microsoft's AI to take control of a particular webpage or the browser itself, and conduct a task on your behalf. You can ask Copilot to book you a flight and hotel, or leave a comment under an article, and Copilot will do it for you, instead of guiding you on how to do it yourself.

"Trying to curb your shopping habit? Have Copilot go through your inbox and tell it to unsubscribe you from all those tempting shopping newsletters" Microsoft explains as one of the examples made possible with Copilot Actions in Edge.

Copilot Journey is now available to test for the first time with today's announcement and lets Copilot look into your browsing history and browsing habits and create personalized journeys that you can use to jump back into previous browsing sessions. These appear as boxes on the new tab page that provide a one-click resume into tabs that Copilot viewed as related.

"While you browse, Copilot creates a short summary of your page content that captures the essence of what you view." explains Microsoft. "For example, Copilot might summarize a page with a pizza recipe as a "Step-by-step guide to making pizza from scratch, including dough recipes and topping suggestions. That summary, along with related page titles, URLs, searches, and Copilot chats, is used to create a task-focused group called a Copilot Journey. Each Journey reflects a task in progress, so you can pick up quickly where you left off without losing context. "

In addition to the Journeys feature, Copilot can also use your browsing data to be more helpful as an AI assistant. You'll be able to casually ask it about something you previously saw online, and Copilot will be able to analyse your browsing history to bring you back to that moment.

Microsoft insists that this feature is opt-in and data is only shared if you give it permission. "Your browsing history will never be accessed without your go-ahead – give us your consent via Page Context in Settings and turn off whenever you want."

Both Copilot Actions and Copilot Journeys are off by default, and need to be enabled by the user before they become active. Additionally, Copilot Journeys is currently only available in the United States, meaning those outside the region will have to wait before they can try the Journeys feature.

In addition to the new Copilot features in Edge, Microsoft just announced a handful of new features for the Copilot assistant itself, including a new avatar called Mico, group chat support, and the ability for Copilot to push back against your misplaced assumptions on certain topics.

FAQ

Mozilla has cooked up a new way to keep your browser habits safe from spying eyes: Firefox VPN. The latest Firefox VPN is currently in a Beta stage for testing, and Mozilla says that it's only available for a limited time to randomly selected users (via TechRadar).

Firefox VPN is a free addition to the web browser, and the wording in the Mozilla support document suggests that it will remain free after the testing period. Firefox has not placed any data limits, at least during the testing period.

Firefox VPN is designed to work within the Firefox browser only. Any web traffic that originates in the browser is directed through VPN servers managed by Firefox; any other web traffic originating elsewhere is not protected.

Mozilla says it works by "concealing your real IP as well as adding a layer of encryption to your communications" on the official Firefox VPN support page. Sounds like a standard VPN, albeit with limited scope.

Because the new VPN built into Firefox is invite-only while it's being tested, not everyone will get to give it a try. If you're one of the lucky users who is selected for testing, you'll see a prompt pop up when you launch Firefox asking if you'd like to try Firefox VPN.

If you don't see the prompt, well, you're out of luck for now.

This is Mozilla's second VPN to enter the market

A lot of Firefox users wondered why Mozilla called its first VPN "Mozilla VPN" and not "Firefox VPN" when it launched a few years ago. They now have an answer.

Yes, this is Mozilla's second VPN to enter the market. Mozilla VPN officially launched in 2020 following the retirement/rebranding of Firefox Private Network.

Mozilla VPN is a full-fledged VPN service that covers your entire PC or device, not just your data in Firefox. Mozilla VPN has a standalone app available for Windows 10 and Windows 11, as well as plenty of other devices.

As with most VPN services that cover all of your web traffic, Mozilla VPN is not free. You can subscribe on a monthly or yearly basis, and the lowest price you'll get is about $4.99 per month when you subscribe for a full year.

Not bad, especially as it allows you to use up to five devices under the same account.

But for those who don't want to pay a monthly subscription fee, Firefox VPN should be a tempting feature once it arrives (hopefully for free) for all Firefox users.

A free VPN? I thought I was supposed to avoid those...

VPNs are powerful tools that block third parties and bad actors from seeing the data you send out over the internet. It achieves this by shuttling your data through encrypted tunnels, with endpoint servers managed by the VPN company.

Because whoever is managing the servers can technically see what everyone is doing and where the data is coming from, you always want to select your VPN provider carefully.

Free VPNs are usually the worst offenders when it comes to selling your data that you thought was private. If a VPN service is free, it's often suspected that your data is being sold somewhere.

However, Mozilla says that its new Firefox VPN only collects technical data that's required to keep the service operating smoothly. Mozilla states:

Mozilla has been a popular browser for years, and it has a reputation for being secure and user-friendly. The sentiment among users, however, changed recently after a March 2025 update to data privacy in Firefox's Terms of Use.

The new terms suggested that Mozilla had a right to leverage user data in ways that would seriously damage its data privacy reputation. Mozilla was quick to update the ToU with clearer wording, and Firefox VP Ajit Varma was quoted as saying:

"Mozilla doesn’t sell data about you (in the way that most people think about ‘selling data’), and we don’t buy data about you. We changed our language because some jurisdictions define ‘sell’ more broadly than most people would usually understand that word."

Edge has had a built-in VPN since 2023 — how does Firefox VPN compare?

Much like the new Firefox VPN, Microsoft's Edge Secure Network is a VPN designed to protect web traffic originating in the browser only. It began rolling out in 2022 for Windows 11 and Windows 10 and remains available today.

Edge Secure Network is, of course, only available in Edge, but it's free for anyone who signs in to the browser using a personal Microsoft account. Users get 5GB of free data per month, up from the 1GB data allowance at launch.

👉 Related: How to increase privacy using built-in VPN on Microsoft Edge

Edge Secure Network has some intelligent settings that can help manage data usage. The default "Optimized" setting automatically enables the VPN if you're connected to public Wi-Fi (or other unsecured networks) or when you visit a site without proper certification.

You can also set Edge Secure Network to run a VPN on all sites, or you can set a custom list of sites on which you'd like the VPN to work. Like Firefox VPN, Edge only collects some diagnostic and support data, which is deleted every 25 hours.

Overall, Edge Secure Network is essentially the same as Firefox VPN, albeit with some data restrictions. It will be interesting to see if Mozilla places a similar data limit on Firefox VPN once it arrives for all users.

Microsoft is always looking for ways to improve Windows 11 for gamers, especially now that Windows 10 support has reached End-of-Life. While Windows 11 largely delivers the same level of gaming performance compared to Windows 10, many gamers remain reticent to upgrade.

One of the company's more recent gamer-focused additions — launched for all Windows 11 users in January 2025 — is Microsoft Edge Game Assist, a tool designed to remove the ol' Alt-Tab trick when looking up guides, navigating Discord or Spotify, or watching videos while you game.

Edge Game Assist has received regular updates since it was first introduced to Insiders in November 2024, and October 2025 is no different.

The latest update adds a long list of new titles to the Enhanced Game Assist package, it adds an option to close Game Assist through the Windows 11 Settings menu, and it squashes some bugs, namely one that allowed Game Assist to be installed multiple times on the same PC with multiple user accounts.

The new Edge Game Assist update is going out to Edge Insiders on the Canary and Dev channels, and Microsoft says they will "eventually" arrive in Beta and Stable channels.

• Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
• Assassin's Creed Origins
• Assassin's Creed Unity
• Assassin's Creed Valhalla
• Battlefield 6
• BioShock Infinite
• Borderlands 4
• Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022)
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023)
• Call of Duty: Warzone
• Dead Rising 4
• Deep Rock Galactic
• Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition
• Dying Light: The Beast
• Hollow Knight: Silksong
• Little Nightmares III
• Nier Automata
• Remnant II
• The Outlast Trials
• theHunter: Call of the Wild
• World of Warcraft Mists of Pandaria Classic

How does Edge Game Assist work, and is it worth trying out?

Edge Game Assist is essentially a miniature version of Windows 11's web browser that's built into the Xbox Game Bar, accessible via the Win+G keyboard shortcut. It's designed to act as an overlay while you game, removing the need to constantly Alt+Tab to other windows.

It was added to Windows 11 in response to Microsoft's findings that roughly 88% of PC gamers look up guides, track game progress, listen to music, and chat with friends while gaming.

The Game Bar widget can automatically detect which game you're playing in order to offer specialized tips and guides, but because it's a mini version of Edge, it can also be used as a standard browser to look up guides and videos without losing focus on your current game.

👉 Related: How to set up Microsoft Edge Game Assist on Windows 11

Perhaps the best part is that Edge Game Assist is conveniently compatible with other PC gamer standby websites, including Discord, Spotify, and Twitch.

I've yet to give Edge Game Assist a shot personally — I've been too busy forcing Gaming Copilot and NVIDIA Project G-Assist to fight for AI gaming supremacy — but my colleague Sean Endicott praised its abilities even when it was still a very new feature without as many tools as it does now.

Considering Edge Game Assist is a free addition to Windows 11, there's really nothing to lose by giving it a shot. Of course, a second monitor can largely achieve the same basic idea of having guides visible while you game, but the additional tips and tricks for games on the Enhanced list might just be handier than you were expecting.

Don't forget about ad blockers in your Edge Game Assist overlay

One of the first issues with Edge Game Assist was the ads that constantly interfered with game guides overlaid on your screen. Microsoft quickly updated Game Assist in March 2025 with browser extension support, allowing for ad blockers to be installed.

It's not just ad blockers, either. Game Assist supports quite a few browser extensions, and they can be managed via the standard desktop version of the Edge app.

If you'd like to give Edge Game Assist a shot, you might find that it's already installed on your system. If it's not, the widget can be added to the Xbox Game Bar via the Edge settings menu.

Even in 2025, the browser wars are still alive, and as you might have guessed, two of the usual culprits, Microsoft and Google, are at it again. This time, Microsoft is trying to challenge Google Chrome's dominance by packaging its Edge browser as the superior option when users search for Chrome on Bing.

As spotted by Windows Latest, Microsoft appears to be using an ad that features a fully-fledged comparison table between Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge when users search for Chrome on Bing with the intent to install it.

According to the screenshot shared by the outlet, Microsoft promotes Edge as the better and preferred browser, highlighting key features such as a built-in VPN, AI personalization, and the Microsoft Rewards program as its main selling points.

The report further detailed that the new Edge ad appeared while the user was signed into their personal Microsoft account, had an active Microsoft 365 subscription, and was running Windows 11 version 24H2.

I attempted to replicate similar results with a wildly different M4-based MacBook Pro to see if the message is platform-specific at the time of writing. The outcome was rather underwhelming. I only saw the usual promo banner stating, "Microsoft Edge is powered by the same open-source technology as Google Chrome, providing best-in-class web and extension compatibility."

In addition to the comparison table, Windows Latest revealed that Bing displayed a message stating that everything needed to browse the internet is "right here" when searching for Chrome, clearly referring to Microsoft Edge. As highlighted in the banner, "Microsoft Edge runs on the same technology as Chrome, with the added trust of Microsoft.”

The table clearly presents Microsoft Edge as the undisputed winner, checking every box while Google Chrome seemingly falls short of these specific expectations. Edge is also "Microsoft recommended," which essentially suggests that it's the preferred browser to run on Windows 11.

More interestingly, Microsoft opted for a subconscious design to make its case, highlighting the Edge browser logo in blue while graying out Google Chrome.

Perhaps in a bid to get users to ditch Google Chrome for Edge, Microsoft included quick links for popular platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Netflix, since most everyday users would download browsers to access these services. Therefore, presenting these apps right off the bat could potentially get users to choose Microsoft Edge over Google Chrome.

This isn't Microsoft's first rodeo in browser wars. The tech giant has been accused of using deceptive tactics and harmful design elements to gain a competitive advantage over its competitors in search and browsing. However, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella revealed that Google makes more money on Windows than all of Microsoft due to its dominance in the search landscape.

Have you experienced this bizarre incident while searching for Google Chrome while using Bing? Let me know in the comments.

For a brief moment, I thought I had lost access to one of the most powerful extensions I use in Microsoft Edge. This evening when I sat down at my desk, I was met with more ads than usual. Much to my surprise, uBlock Origin has completely stopped working within Microsoft Edge.

Clicking on the uBlock Origin extension icon did nothing and I was unable to block any content on any website. The folks over in the Microsoft Edge subreddit figured out what was going on and gathered together some information.

According to the uBlock Origin author, "gorhill," on GitHub, a mistake was made that required the author to unlist uBlock Origin briefly:

"I messed up yesterday, I uploaded uBO Lite using uBO extension id (I was re-working the upload script to make everything easier).

I can't find a roll back function in the store dashboard, so for now I unlisted the extension. I tried to replace with 1.65.0, but it won't let me, I think it's because the store refuses new MV2 extension, and the new upload is seen as a MV3-to-MV2 extension. I can't find quick way to resolve this, so I had to unlist the extension.

I figured one day I would mess up big by mistake, well yesterday was that day."

The issue has since been resolved and uBlock Origin is back in the Microsoft Store.

Considering a large portion of my job relies on people seeing ads alongside articles I write, you may be surprised to hear that I use an adblocker. But the fact that I value ads driving revenue is a major reason I use uBlock Origin. Its flexibility allows me to trust certain sites and block very specific types of ads that are especially disruptive.

There are other adblockers available, including uBlock Origin Lite, but I've used uBlock Origin for years and enjoy its power and versatility. I'm also used to its layout and feature set, so switching to a different adblocker would be a bother.

How to restore uBlock Origin on Microsoft Edge

Luckily for those that use uBlock Origin, it is now possible to use the extension again. The issue affected people who already had uBlock Origin installed when the mistake was made.

If you fall into that category and are affected by the issue, you can just remove uBlock Origin from Microsoft Edge and then reinstall it through the Microsoft Store.

Even when uBlock Origin was removed from the Microsoft Store, there were ways to use the extension. Hopping into the settings of Edge and enabling developer mode would have allowed you to manually load the file from the uBlock Origin GitHub page. That's worth remembering in case there is another mistake in the future. The releases page for uBlock Origin has steps to install the developer build on several browsers.

Since Microsoft Edge supports Chrome extensions, you could have just grabbed uBlock Origin from the Chrome Web Store.

Did Google block uBlock Origin?

The answer to this is a bit complicated. Changes Google made to Chrome that prevent uBlock Origin from working, but those changes are part of a large migration from Manifest V2 to Manifest V3.

Developers had a long time to migrate extensions from Manifest V2 to Manifest V3 before Chrome ended support for the former, but time was not the issue for the developers of uBlock Origin.

Manifest V3 limits the WebRequest API, which is essential for uBlock Origin and other content blockers. That API is required to block certain content before it loads, which is an essential function of uBlock Origin and many other extensions. As a result, uBlock Origin is no longer compatible with Chrome.

uBlock Origin Lite is available and works on Chrome and other browsers, but it does offer as many options as the full version of uBlock Origin.

Manifest V3 was created to be more secure than its predecessor and to enable better performance. The loss of uBlock Origin support in Chrome was a side effect of that switch.

uBlock Origin continued to work within Microsoft Edge even after Chrome blocked Manifest V2 extensions. Microsoft's documentation on this situation has always been a bit strange. The tech giant states that Manifest V2 extensions will stop working in Edge, but the timeline for that cutoff is listed as "TBD" (to be determined).

While it's not unheard of for a development timeline to list TBD, it's odd to lack a cutoff date for this long. Microsoft has listed the end of Manifest V2 extension support as TBD for at least six months.

Microsoft Edge has an experimental feature that supports background video playback on Android. Anyone can try the feature, but you have to download Microsoft Edge Canary for Android and jump through a few hoops, including enabling a flag.

The answer to the most pressing question is yes, the feature does let you play YouTube videos in the background even if you do not have YouTube Premium. I tested it on several videos, including the Windows Central Podcast and various songs.

Video Background Play works when you navigate to other tabs, swap to another app, and even when you lock your phone.

Playing YouTube videos while your phone is locked is nothing new, but Google tends to plug holes and workarounds from time to time. Having the option in Edge is convenient, assuming it makes its way to general availability.

The new feature was spotted by Leo Varela, who shared a video on X (formerly Twitter).

The new feature is still in testing, so you may run into some bugs. In my brief time with it, video background playback has worked well. Music, podcasts, and other content continue to play even when I shut my phone or lock my device.

The media banner on my phone even brings in the correct artwork for whatever video is playing in the background.

How to enable video background playback on Microsoft Edge

1. Download Microsoft Edge Canary for Android.
2. Open Edge Canary.
3. Navigate to edge://flags in the navigation bar.
4. Search for "background."
5. Tap the box below "Video Background Play" and toggle the setting to "Enabled."
6. Follow the prompt to restart Microsoft Edge Canary.

If videos on Edge still stop playing when you navigate to a different tab or switch apps, make sure that Edge has background playback enabled. Note that this is a different setting to the flag you just enabled.

1. Open Microsoft Edge Canary.
2. Open Settings using the hamburger menu and tapping "Settings."
3. Scroll down and select "Site Settings."
4. Select "Background video playback."
5. Toggle the option on.

Hopefully, Microsoft streamlines this process into a single setting.

Microsoft vs. Google

In a vacuum, the new feature for Microsoft Edge is a useful addition to the browser. But it's difficult to view anything related to Microsoft and Google in a vacuum. The tech giants have a feud lasting well over a decade that's centered around YouTube.

Google famously refused to make Google Chrome or YouTube apps for Windows Phone. Third-party developers did their best to fill the gap with apps such as MetroTube and myTube! Even back then, third-party apps had features like offline playback and playing content in the background.

Microsoft even built its own YouTube app, but Google controversially revoked Microsoft's YouTube API keys.

It would be funny to watch Microsoft reignite the war over YouTube through this new Edge feature. I can't imagine Google is happy about such an easy method for background video playback being available.

The ability to play videos in the background is one of the benefits of YouTube Premium. That subscription also removes ads from the platform and lets you download content for offline use.

To be completely honest, YouTube Premium is an excellent value, as long as you take advantage of its features. Full access to YouTube Music and an ad-free YouTube experience are worth $13.99 in my opinion.

But if you just want to play content in the background, you don't need to subscribe to YouTube Premium. You just need to use Microsoft Edge.

Microsoft recently prototyped a new UI for the Edge web browser that places Copilot at the forefront of the experience on Windows 11. The mysterious UI appears to be codenamed Olympia, and features a cleaner address bar and window frame, vertical tabs, and other big changes.

The Olympia UI was first spotted by Leopeva64 on X, though he believes the UI has since been scrapped, replaced with an interface that mimics the Copilot for Windows app instead. The old Olympia UI is still present in the latest Edge Canary builds however, and we've taken a closer look at it.

We can see that this experiment places Copilot directly into the address bar, which now takes on a smaller footprint and is centered along the top of the interface. This new address bar places heavy emphasis on Copilot, with the omnibox now prioritizing search and chat, as well as voice input with a microphone icon placed directly in the address bar that is accessible at all times.

The overall interface is more streamlined compared to the standard Edge layout, with tabs moved into a vertical list sidebar that is accessed via a dropdown button from the top left of the interface. There's also a layout that curiously places horizontal tabs below the address bar, instead of above like in most browsers.

On the right side of the window frame, there's options to bookmark a webpage, and a drop down menu with more browser locations such as history, downloads, and settings.

This new interface would have been a big departure from the Edge UI that we're all familiar with. It's unclear what this new design was going to be for, especially as it's so early on in development that most of it is still non-functional.

For now, we can speculate as to what Microsoft was planning with this new interface. It could have been an outright replacement for the existing UI in an attempt to have Edge stand out more as its own browser. Everyone agrees that the current version of Edge's UI is a shadow of Google Chrome, which is rather uninspiring.

I think it's more likely that this new UI was being built as a dedicated interface for Edge's new Copilot Mode, which would explain the emphasis on Copilot in the address bar.

Right now, accessing Copilot Mode in Edge doesn't immediate do much for the end user. The browser looks the same, with the only key difference being that the Copilot button moves from the right hand side of the window frame to inside the address bar on the left. Notably, this new Olympia layout places the Copilot icon in the exact same spot on the address bar.

As Copilot Mode evolves and becomes more capable, I can totally see Microsoft giving the mode and entirely unique interface that leans into the AI assistants more agentic capabilities as they become available. "AI browsers" are the trend currently, with Perplexity, The Browser Company, and now Microsoft leaning into building out dedicated AI modes for surfing the web.

It makes sense for Microsoft to believe that Copilot Mode can warrant a radical new interface, especially if there is going to be an emphasis on agentic capabilities down the line. We've seen Microsoft on record claim that generative AI and agentic capabilities will fundamentally change what a UI looks like, and this might be an early look at that change.

This isn't the first time Microsoft has attempted to bring a new UI to Edge before scrapping it. Back in 2023, the company unveiled an updated design for Edge which featured rounded floating tabs among other smaller changes to better align the browser with Windows 11's design language. Unfortunately, Microsoft ended up scrapping this new design for unknown reasons.

For now, what are your thoughts on this Microsoft Edge UI codenamed Olympia? Do you think it had something to do with Copilot Mode, or was it more of an experiment that never got off the ground? Let us know in the comments below.

Microsoft has confirmed that it intends to support its Edge web browser on Windows 10 for three additional years beyond Windows 10's end of support date. In a support document, the company clarified that Edge and the WebView2 Runtime will continue to receive updates, including fixes and new features, beyond October 2025 on Windows 10.

Additionally, Microsoft says that Windows 10's Extended Support Updates (ESU) program won't be required to benefit from these updates, meaning fixes and new features for Edge and WebView2 will continue to be provided to all Windows 10 users, even if they didn't enroll in the ESU program. This is good news for people who are considering staying on Windows 10 beyond its end of support date in October 2025.

"Microsoft Edge and the Microsoft WebView2 Runtime will continue to receive updates on Windows 10 22H2 until at least October 2028, coinciding with the end of the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program." says a Microsoft support document. "The ESU program won't be required for devices to continue receiving Microsoft Edge or WebView2 Runtime updates."

Of course, it's not just Microsoft Edge that will remain supported on Windows 10 beyond October 2025. As far as we're aware, all major browsers, including Google Chrome, Firefox, and Opera, will continue to be fully supported on Windows 10 as we head into 2026 and beyond.

Microsoft says that Edge will be supported up until October 2028, but leaves the door open for further support should the company find it necessary closer to the time. Not all of Microsoft is being so kind, however. The company recently announced that Office would stop getting new features on Windows 10 in August 2026, though the apps will still get security fixes until 2028.

It does seem like 2028 is the true end of support year for Windows 10, even though things are slowly beginning to shut down starting October 2025. That's because Microsoft has committed to supporting Windows 10 with security updates, as long as users pay for them, until October 2028, which means most of its apps and services also need to remain supported on the platform to make it worthwhile.

In the immediate months post 2025, you likely won't notice much of a difference on Windows 10. Users who choose to remain on the platform, even without security updates, won't find their computer to be any less capable than before. But over time, apps and drivers will start ending support for the platform, which will be when your favorite apps and peripherals stop working or being officially supported.

That's not to mention the potential for major security vulnerabilities being discovered and exploited on Windows 10, which won't be patched unless you are paying for Microsoft's ESU program. That ESU program will be vital for anyone still using Windows 10 beyond October 2025 if they want to remain secure on the platform, especially if the PC is used to store personal files, work files, or financial information. Better to be safe than sorry.

Ultimately, Microsoft would like for most Windows 10 users to upgrade to Windows 11, whether that be via an in-place upgrade on their existing machine or by buying a new PC with Windows 11 already installed. Just recently, Windows 11 surpassed Windows 10 to become the most used version of Windows, which means more people are finally starting to make the switch.

What are your thoughts on Windows 10's support ending in October 2025? Will you continue to use the OS without security updates beyond that date? Let us know in the comments what your plans are post Windows 10's death.

via Windows Latest

Microsoft is no stranger to controversy, particularly when it comes to anticompetitive business practices. In 2024, new research commissioned by Mozilla suggested that the software giant uses harmful designs and deceptive tactics to push its Edge browser to Windows users.

The damning report further indicated that the company used misleading user interfaces and ads to discourage users from setting any browser other than Microsoft Edge as the default on Windows. Mozilla indicated that this placed third-party browsers like Firefox at a decided competitive disadvantage and called for intervention from regulators to remedy the issue.

As it turns out, Opera shares similar sentiments, but the web browser developer has decided to take the matter into its own hands by filing an official complaint with Brazil’s‬‭ competition‬‭ authority (CADE) against Microsoft, citing anticompetitive practices.

Opera further indicated that the tech giant leverages these anticompetitive business practices to give Microsoft Edge a competitive edge over other platforms, consequently "impeding free and effective consumer choice on PCs."

The complaint also highlights that Microsoft sets its Edge browser as the exclusive pre-installed and default browser across Windows devices and deploys deceptive tactics, which confuse and make it difficult for users to access and use alternative browsers, including:

• Microsoft‬‭ deploys‬‭ obtrusive‬‭ banners‬‭ and‬‭ messages‬‭ discouraging‬‭ users‬‭ from‬ downloading‬‭ alternative‬‭ browsers‬‭ at‬‭ the‬‭ very‬‭ moment‬‭ they‬‭ are‬‭ searching‬‭ for‬‭ those‬ browsers on Edge.‬
• Microsoft‬‭ ignores‬‭ users’ default‬‭ choices‬‭ in‬‭ critical‬‭ moments,‬‭ such‬‭ as‬‭ opening‬‭ PDFs,‬ accessing links in emails, and using the Windows Search bar, opening Edge instead.‬

Opera says these tactics are harmful for the digital marketplace, prompting the company to brand them as unjustified and frustrating to users. Perhaps more concerning, the company indicated that these deceptive ploys and dark patterns are only getting more severe despite lodged complaints.

What does Opera want from Microsoft?

Opera's formal complaint to CADE about Microsoft's anticompetitive business practices is part of its broader mission to "guarantee‬‭ consumers‬‭ the‬‭ fundamental‬‭ right‬‭ to‬‭ choose‬‭ their‬‭ browser‬‭ and‬‭ for‬‭ that‬‭ choice‬‭ to‬‭ be‬‭ respected." To that end, Opera hopes to reach a common ground that bolsters healthy competition in Microsoft's dominant Windows landscape through the following remedies:

• Stop‬‭ preventing‬‭ PC‬‭ manufacturers‬‭ from‬‭ preloading‬‭ alternative‬‭ browsers‬‭ and‬‭ setting‬ them‬‭ as‬‭ default‬‭ and‬‭ requiring‬‭ OEMs‬‭ to‬‭ deliver‬‭ S‬‭ mode‬‭ devices‬‭ as‬‭ a‬‭ condition‬‭ for‬ rebates on a Windows OS license;‬
• Stop‬‭ blocking‬‭ consumers‬‭ from‬‭ easily‬‭ and‬‭ freely‬‭ downloading‬‭ and‬‭ setting‬‭ third-party‬ browsers‬‭ as‬‭ default‬‭ for‬‭ browser‬‭ entry‬‭ points‬‭ across‬‭ Windows‬‭ and‬‭ stop‬‭ ignoring‬‭ or‬ overriding these default selections;‬
• Cease,‬‭ and‬‭ refrain‬‭ from‬‭ implementing,‬‭ any‬‭ dark‬‭ patterns‬‭ that‬‭ push‬‭ users‬‭ towards‬Edge; and‬
• Ensure‬‭ that‬‭ users‬‭ have‬‭ a‬‭ real,‬‭ concrete‬‭ opportunity‬‭ to‬‭ choose‬‭ their‬‭ preferred‬ browser,‬‭ through‬‭ a‬‭ user-friendly‬‭ browser‬‭ choice‬‭ screen‬‭ that‬‭ includes‬‭ the‬‭ main‬ available PC browsers.‬

As you may know, a handful of Microsoft services, including Bing, Windows, LinkedIn, and Edge, were listed as "gatekeeper services" in 2024 by the EU Commission. The company was given 6 months to comply with the DMA (Digital Markets Act) or risk attracting hefty fines and penalties.

Microsoft argued that Edge and Bing hadn't hit the threshold to be considered. The commission investigated the matter and concluded that the services weren't dominant enough in digital markets, prompting it to exempt them from DMA regulation.

However, Opera's complaint against Microsoft in the EU Courts could potentially lead to the designation of Edge as a gatekeeper service under the DMA. In June, Microsoft announced several measures it was making to make Windows 11 compliant with the DMA, including reducing its insistence on its first-party apps and services like Microsoft Edge.

Microsoft has announced a brand-new overhaul coming to the Edge web browser today that transforms it into an AI-powered experience dubbed "Copilot Mode." The company says this is a new experimental feature that's designed to make browsing the web easier with AI as a collaborator.

"It doesn’t just give you endless tabs to sift through but works with you as a collaborator that makes sense of it all," says Microsoft's Sean Lundersay in an announcement blog post. "It keeps you browsing, cuts through clutter, and removes friction to unlock your flow"

The new Copilot Mode places Copilot at the heart of everything you do in the web browser. It oversees the address bar and new tab page and is always one click away from being able to analyze a website or document you're looking at.

Copilot in Edge is now also able to see across all your open tabs, offering contextual actions or suggestions based on your entire active browsing session, and not just one particular tab. This enables capabilities such as comparing multiple tabs all at once with Copilot.

Users can get started by heading to www.microsoft.com/edge/ai-powered/copilot-mode to enable the new Copilot Mode for Microsoft Edge.

And say you don't like the new search experience, just go into Edge settings (Settings > AI Innovations > Copilot Mode) and you'll find a toggle to turn on and off the Copilot Mode.

The AI assistant will also soon be able to book reservations and manage errands on a webpage just by asking for it, using natural language and reducing your need to click around to get tasks done, offering an agentic AI experience inside the Edge browser.

You can even use natural language to find particular websites for Copilot to navigate to you on your behalf. If you don't know what website you're looking for exactly, you can just ask Copilot what it is you want to do, and Copilot will do its best to bring you to a website that allows you to get that task done.

It'll also be able to understand recent searches and automatically offer up related websites or videos that it thinks you might want to look at based on your browsing history and search results.

Microsoft says Copilot Mode is available for free for a limited time, but doesn't give any specific details on what "limited time" means. Copilot Mode will likely require a Copilot Pro subscription to access once it's out of the experimental preview phase, though Microsoft hasn't confirmed this.

The company also stresses that Copilot Mode is built with responsible AI practices in mind, and that the user is always in control of the data that is offered to Copilot. "With Copilot Mode in Edge, your data is protected under Microsoft’s trusted privacy standards that are built to keep your information safe, secure, and never shared without your permission."

Getting ahead of the competition

I think it's clear that Microsoft is attempting to get ahead of the competition with today's announcement. Generative AI tech firm Perplexity has already launched their own attempt at an AI-powered web browser, and OpenAI is rumored to be doing the same in the coming months.

With Microsoft getting its big AI browser update out now, that puts it ahead of the curve and allows the company to help set the narrative with this new category of web browser. AI web browsers are going to be all the craze in the next couple of years, with The Browser Company also pivoting away from its Arc browser in favor of something new, powered by AI.

It will remain to be seen if integrating Copilot into Edge and turning Edge into a true AI web browser will do anything to shift market share away from Chrome, and it will be even more interesting to see if people choose Edge over other AI-powered web browsers on the market from the likes of Perplexity and OpenAI.

The start of something bigger

Today's new Copilot Mode in Edge is a big step forward for AI on Windows (and Mac.) Microsoft is slowly turning Edge into an AI tool in itself, with Copilot essentially spreading across the browser so that it's the one thing you interact with most.

With Copilot now handling web searches, opening new tabs, and analyzing your browsing data to remain useful to you, it's only a matter of time before Copilot is capable of truly orchestrating your web surfing experience as an agentic AI tool.

Right now, the user is still in full control of everything Copilot can see and do in Edge. This new Copilot Mode experience is optional, and you can turn it off if you don't want Microsoft's AI tool doing all these things.

I find it interesting that Microsoft is going all-in on transforming Edge into an agentic AI browsing experience, and not Windows itself. Perhaps Windows will get the same treatment soon, but the first true agentic Copilot experiences appear to be launching first in the web browser.

Copilot Mode is available from today in markets where Copilot is already available. Some features will be made available at a later date, such as the ability for Copilot to use your browsing history and credential data to enhance its assistive capabilities. Additionally, all of these features do not require a Copilot+ PC, meaning they will come to all Windows users, as well as Mac.

Microsoft Edge now shows the shortcut to create tab groups within the browser's dropdown menu. Normally, such a small addition would go unnoticed or be added with little fanfare, but the tab group shortcut pushed Edge over a milestone.

Now, when you open the "Settings and more" menu within Edge, the browser can’t fit everything on the screen — at least not on many laptops.

If you're on a desktop or a massive laptop, you may be able to see each item, but even on my 16-inch workstation I need to scroll down in that Edge menu to select "Settings" or "Help and Feedback."

The need to scroll within that menu was highlighted on Reddit by user "JiroBibi."

To be completely honest, I don't think scrolling is a massive deal, but I would prefer the option to remove some of the items from the menu. At minimum, it makes sense to move the "more tools" section further up in the menu since smaller screens require scrolling to get to that shortcut.

Does Microsoft care about consistency?

One of the benefits of Windows is that it supports a tremendous number of programs and apps. But with backward compatibility and legacy support comes inconsistency, unless a company is willing to do a visual overhaul of an operating system.

My colleague Zac Bowden has highlighted context menu inconsistencies in Windows since at least 2015. Admittedly, Microsoft has upgraded several UI elements over the past decade, but Windows is far from perfect.

To Microsoft's credit, modern design elements generally follow consistent guidelines and look similar, though the company has given us the occasional design “scare” — and yes, that’s sarcastic.

The above rounder menus don't seem destined to ship. Click To Do does not have those menus, so it seems Microsoft briefly used the rounder designs during testing then aligned the menus later.

Windows is a massive operating system with elements dating back decades. While I love mockups of clean interfaces for legacy software, making real-world changes is more difficult than creating a still image.

In my opinion, Microsoft does a good job of keeping its various apps and services in line with each other visually. But I still think they should let us trim down how many items appear in context menus.

If there's one thing I'd like to change about my PC gaming habits, it's to stop buying the same game multiple times on different platforms.

Yes, this is about as "first-world" of a problem as it gets, but I know I'm not the only gamer out there who has found a great deal, checked out, and only then realized it's a title that you already own.

While this has long been an issue for many gamers with launchers like Steam, GOG, Epic, Ubisoft, EA, etc. (many selling the same games), the arrival of an active PC Game Pass membership on my system a few years ago really ramped up the overspending.

The PC side of Game Pass is home to hundreds of games that are available to play anytime. Games arrive, games depart, and it's tough to keep tabs on the current selection.

"Hey, just do a quick search of Game Pass whenever you buy a game!" is the natural reaction here, but do you think I'm smart enough to do that?

No. I'd rather rely on my instincts, which have been seriously blunted after years of staring at a screen full of game launchers and storefronts.

The recent Steam Summer Sale, which ran from June 26 until July 10, was chock-full of enticing deals, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't take advantage of some of those sweet, sweet Under $6 offerings.

As it turns out, I could have saved my lunch money and played a couple of the titles on Game Pass rather than buying them directly through Steam.

Is it on Game Pass? A new browser extension intends to find out.

(Nearly) right on time, there's a new browser extension that can stop the double-buying from happening in the future.

Is It On Game Pass, an extension created by Reddit user Orion_DEIL, isn't the first of its kind — alike03's Subscription Info on Steam is another great option — but it is the most complete that I've seen.

It was built for Firefox and Chrome, and the latter compatibility means that it'll also work on Microsoft's Edge browser. With the Is It On Game Pass extension installed, browsing the Steam website becomes a lot more intuitive.

The extension primarily throws up a big flag on game listings, letting you know if the title is currently available on Game Pass, coming soon to Game Pass, leaving Game Pass, or not on Game Pass at all.

Beyond that, it'll also tip you off to better deal pricing, should it exist, at the GG.deals store, all alongside the Steam regular and discount pricing listings.

Even if you don't buy from key resellers (like me) due to their gray market reputation, you can get an idea of what a game is selling for elsewhere.

It's pretty uninvasive and, for the most part, seems to be working as intended. I haven't been using it for long, but I'm enjoying browsing Steam and seeing actually how many great games are on Game Pass.

You can choose which indicators show up, you can pick where deal prices show up, and you can also set your region.

How to use the Is It On Game Pass browser extension

The Is It On Game Pass browser extension works like any other for Edge, Chrome, and Firefox.

Simply visit the appropriate link I've listed below and choose to add the extension to your browser.

• Add the Is It On Game Pass extension to Chrome / Edge
• Add the Is It On Game Pass extension to Firefox

I added it to Edge, my browser of choice, and when you do the same, you might notice a suspicious address — xccczvjplndatsirjahb.supabase.co — listed under permissions.

This was also called out in the extension creator's Reddit thread, and it was explained away as being the backend API used to pull data from Game Pass and GG.deals.

Don't want to install any more extensions? You're not completely out of luck.

As another user pointed out in the Reddit thread, you can also use the PC Game Pass curator page on Steam to see which games are coming soon, which games are currently on Game Pass, and which games are soon leaving.

It's the same idea, but it's not as convenient as having a small indicator everywhere you travel in Steam's storefront.