How to Use Copilot in Edge Browser

My journey with technology has been one of trial and error, but each challenge has taught me how to solve problems efficiently. Now, I channel that expertise into creating straightforward, practical guides that make even the most intimidating devices accessible to everyone.

There are many great features in Microsoft’s Edge browser, not least of which is the integration of Microsoft’s AI chatbot, Copilot.

This generative artificial intelligence debuted in 2023 as Bing Chat, and has since assumed a more prominent role in the tech giant’s software offerings. It’s now easily accessible from within Microsoft Office, and even Windows 11 itself.

For Edge users, it’s an invaluable tool for composing, investigating, and so much more. This article will take you through how to activate and use Copilot when browsing with Edge.

Activating Copilot in Edge

If you’re a regular Edge user, odds are you’ve already seen the Copilot logo in the top right of your browser screen. The AI chatbot is now a standard addition to the browser and should be activated by default.

If it isn’t, you’ll need to activate it manually. Here’s how:

Step 1:Click on the “Menu” button on the top right of your screen.

Step 2:Select “Settings” to open a new Settings tab.

Step 3:In the sidebar of the tab, choose the “Sidebar” option.

Step 4:Under “App and notification settings”, click the Copilot box.

Step 5:Check whether the slider next to “Show Copilot” is on. If not, slide it to the right.

In addition to activating Copilot, you can also select whether you want the AI chatbot to offer you chat suggestions when shopping with Edge, or to use your browsing history to provide better contextual answers. As these two options involve allowing Copilot to access your data, you don’t have to agree if you’re not keen.

IP Permissions

In really rare cases, you may find that Copilot still isn’t working in Edge after you’ve enabled it. This could be due to an issue with IP address access. To function properly in the browser, Copilot needs access to the following IPs:

The generative capabilities of Copilot depend on access to these networks. However, access may be restricted by the “allow list” of your network security solutions, such as firewalls, antivirus software, or other dedicated programs.

In these cases, it’s best to check with your network security provider to see if some overzealous permissions are preventing you from accessing Copilot.

How to Use Copilot in Edge Browser

Once everything is set up and the Copilot logo is visible, you’re ready to start using this powerful tool. Copilot runs via a sidebar, where you can input all sorts of questions and requests. There are two ways to open it:

Once the sidebar pops up, Copilot is ready for your input.

Term Searching

Suppose there’s a paragraph you want to investigate further or a word you don’t understand. If you highlight any text, you can input it straight into the chatbox and have Copilot shoot back a response. There are two ways to do this:

Features of Copilot

Now that you know the “how”, let’s have a look at the “what”. Copilot offers Edge users several features to improve your browsing experience, which are organized into two overarching functions:

Chat

Chat allows you to communicate with Copilot as you would with any AI chatbot. There are a few features in Chat mode to assist you:

Compose

In addition to answering questions, Copilot can also create text for you. The Compose tab may impose a 2000-word limit for now, but still offers many useful features, such as:

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Last updated on 05 October, 2024

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