Microsoft Edge: an AI browser with Copilot in the sidebar

Microsoft Edge puts Copilot inside the browser window. Pages, PDFs and videos can be summarised, translated or questioned without switching to a separate AI tab. The assistant is driven by OpenAI and Microsoft models, accepts voice input, and ships alongside InPrivate browsing, ad blocking and anti-phishing protection.

The usual workflow is to open several tabs, copy the text out, and paste it into a separate AI tool. Edge folds the assistant into the browser itself, so whatever you are currently reading — a web page, a PDF, a video — can go straight to Copilot without exporting it first.

That placement defines both its strength and its scope. It is very good at the material in front of you: summarising long articles, pulling out key points, translating a paragraph, explaining a chart. It is not a replacement for a dedicated writing or coding environment.

Six capabilities you will actually use

Copilot assistant

A side panel that answers questions about the open page, a PDF or a video and returns the result as structured points. Useful when a long report needs a first pass before you commit to reading it.

Visual search

Upload an image to search by what is in it: identify an object, read text inside a screenshot, or look for similar visuals. Handy for finding a product or decoding an unfamiliar interface.

Translation and proofreading

Handles multiple languages, translating section by section and tightening wording. Best suited to foreign-language email and reading material you understand roughly but not comfortably.

Voice input

You can talk to Copilot instead of typing, which matters when your hands are busy or you are away from a keyboard.

Text drafting

Turns rough notes or a spoken idea into a usable first draft: an email, a short brief, an outline. Treat the output as a starting point that still needs facts and tone checked.

Image generation

Generates pictures from a text description through DALL·E 3. Good for concept visuals and quick mockups, not for layouts that need exact lettering or brand control.

A typical session

1. Open the page, PDF or video in Edge and click Copilot in the sidebar.
2. Ask directly, for example to summarise the three main conclusions, or select a paragraph first and ask for an explanation.
3. Use visual search when the question is about an image, and ask for translation when the source is in another language.
4. Switch to voice when typing is inconvenient, then return to the page with the answer in hand.
5. Describe a picture when you need one, and rewrite the description to iterate on the DALL·E 3 result.

Who it fits

• People who read a lot of web pages and PDFs and need the gist fast, such as research, consulting, legal and procurement roles.
• Anyone working across languages: translate first, proofread second, and skip the dictionary.
• Writers and marketers who research and draft in the same window, including rough visuals.

Limits worth knowing

• Availability of individual Copilot features depends on account, region and browser version, and new capabilities roll out gradually.
• The source material summarised here does not state pricing or subscription plans, so this article makes no claim about cost.
• Video summaries and persistent Copilot chat are recent additions and may be missing on older builds.
• AI summaries and generated images need human review, especially numbers, citations and anything that reads as a conclusion.
• No system requirements or installer details were provided in the source, so check the official channel before installing.

Frequently asked

What makes Edge different from a normal browser?

Copilot is built in. Instead of opening a separate AI page to summarise or translate, you can question the page, PDF or video that is already open.

Can it summarise PDFs and videos?

Yes. The source material states that Copilot summarises web pages, PDFs and video content, and the latest version strengthens video summarisation.

Can I use generated images commercially?

The source does not describe licensing terms, so this article does not speculate. Check the official terms before commercial use.

Does it sync across devices?

Yes. Multi-device sync is listed among the features, which makes moving files and browsing between phone and desktop simpler.