Microsoft has begun testing a new update for Microsoft Copilot that introduces built in web browsing directly inside the AI interface.2
The feature is currently being rolled out to Windows Insider Program users. The update allows links clicked inside Copilot to open within the AI panel instead of launching the system’s default web browser.
According to Microsoft, the goal is to improve workflow by keeping users inside the same interface while they search for information.
Links open directly inside the Copilot panel
With this update, when users click a link during a conversation with Copilot, the page will open in a side panel inside the AI assistant window.
This approach aims to prevent users from losing focus or switching between multiple apps. Copilot can also analyze content from the open page and combine it with the ongoing conversation.
In theory, this allows the AI assistant to provide more accurate responses by referencing information from the active web page.
Concerns about privacy and data access
However, the feature has also raised concerns among some users.
Reports indicate that Copilot may be able to access information from active tabs, record those tabs together with chat history, and potentially sync data such as saved passwords or form entries if the user enables synchronization features.
The discussion around privacy comes shortly after controversy surrounding Windows Recall, which previously raised similar concerns about how user activity could be recorded.
While Microsoft states that the new Copilot feature is designed to improve convenience, some users remain cautious about how much data the AI assistant can access.
Edge engine embedded through WebView2
Early analysis suggests that the browsing function relies on WebView2, which integrates the engine of Microsoft Edge directly into the Copilot interface.
Because of this, some observers believe the change could also influence browser competition. Opening links inside Copilot may reduce the need to switch to other installed browsers.
Critics argue that if the feature becomes mandatory rather than optional, it could limit user choice regarding their preferred browser.
Industry reactions and ongoing testing
One of the critics is Bruce Lawson, who commented that changing how links open by default could disrupt long standing user expectations.
For more than two decades, users have been accustomed to links opening in their chosen browser with personalized settings such as saved passwords, accessibility preferences, and security configurations.
Currently, the feature remains in preview and is only available to Insider testers. Microsoft has not yet confirmed whether the browsing integration will be optional or enabled by default in the final release.
Additional Copilot features in development
Alongside the browsing integration, Microsoft is also testing other Copilot features. These include a podcast mode and a study and learn mode, both designed to expand the AI assistant’s capabilities for different types of tasks.
Since the update is still in preview, these features may change before reaching the general public.
For regular Copilot users, the new browsing system could make research and productivity tasks faster. However, the long-term impact on privacy and browser competition remains a topic closely watched by the tech industry.
Origin: The Register
