How to Let Edge Copilot Analyze All Your Open Tabs for Smarter Answers

What You Need

• Microsoft Edge browser (version 115 or later). Update to the latest version via Settings > About Microsoft Edge.
• Active internet connection for Copilot to process data from the cloud.
• At least two open tabs in the same Edge window (the feature works across all tabs in a single window; it does not combine tabs from different windows).
• Microsoft account signed in to Edge (optional but recommended for personalized experiences).

Overview

Microsoft Edge’s Copilot can now answer questions by looking at the content of every tab you have open. Instead of switching between pages or copying and pasting, you can ask Copilot to compare products, summarize articles, or find specific facts from multiple sources—all in one conversation. This guide walks you through how to enable and use this feature step by step.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Step 1: Update Edge and Enable Copilot

   Open Edge and click the three-dot menu in the top right. Go to Help and Feedback > About Microsoft Edge. Edge will automatically check for updates and install the latest version. Restart the browser after the update. Once updated, the Copilot icon (a blue or purple chat bubble) should appear in the top right toolbar. If not, enable Copilot by going to Settings > Sidebar > Copilot and turning it on.

2. Step 2: Open Multiple Tabs with Varied Content

   For the best demo, open several tabs containing articles, product pages, or documents. For example, open a laptop review on one tab, a comparison page on another, and a price listing on a third. The feature works with any webpage that contains text Copilot can read. Note: Copilot can only access pages in the same window. If you have multiple Edge windows, it only analyzes tabs from the active window.

3. Step 3: Launch Copilot and Start a Conversation

   Click the Copilot icon in the top right sidebar or press Ctrl+Shift+I. The sidebar will open. You can also access Copilot from the Edge menu (… > Copilot). At the bottom of the sidebar, type your question or command in the text box. For instance: “Summarize the main points from all my open articles” or “Compare the features of the products in my tabs.”

4. Step 4: Let Copilot Access Your Tabs

   Upon sending your first query, Copilot will ask for permission to read your open tabs. Click Allow. This permission is required only the first time per session. After granting, Copilot will scan the text of every tab in the current window. You will see a message like “Looking at your tabs…” as it processes. The search is fast—typically a few seconds for up to ten tabs.

5. Step 5: Refine Which Tabs Copilot Uses (Optional)

   After Copilot completes its scan, you can select which experiences you want or leave off the ones you don’t (as Microsoft phrases it). A small icon appears near each open tab in the sidebar, letting you toggle the inclusion of that tab’s content. Click the tab icon to exclude it from future queries. This is useful if you have private or irrelevant tabs open. Your selection persists for the current conversation.

6. Step 6: Ask Follow-Up Questions

   Copilot remembers the context of your tabs throughout the chat. You can ask deeper questions like: “Which product has the best battery life?” or “Give me a pros and cons list from the reviews.” The AI will refer back to the tab content you allowed. To clear the tab memory, start a new conversation by clicking the “New topic” button.

   

7. Step 7: Disable Tab Scanning Anytime (Privacy Tip)

   If you want to use Copilot without it reading your tabs, click the Copilot settings gear icon in the sidebar and turn off “Allow Copilot to access tab content.” This reverts to the standard Copilot behavior where it only answers from its own knowledge or web search. Note that some features like product comparison will no longer work across tabs.

Tips for Best Results

• Stay in one window: Copilot only sees tabs from the currently active window. If you open a second Edge window, its tabs are not included. Work from a single window with all relevant tabs.
• Use descriptive questions: Instead of “tell me about my tabs,” try “Extract the price, weight, and warranty from each product page and create a comparison table.” The more specific your request, the better the answer.
• Combine with web search: You can ask Copilot to search the web in addition to analyzing tabs. For example: “Based on the articles in my tabs, what is the latest AI news? Then search for related papers from 2024.” Copilot will mix tab content with fresh search results.
• Shortcut for quick summaries: While viewing a single tab, press Ctrl+Shift+I and type “Summarize this page.” Copilot will automatically read only that tab. This works even if you haven’t granted blanket tab access.
• Note on Copilot Mode retirement: As announced by Microsoft, the previous “Copilot Mode” (which could book reservations) is being phased out. The new tab-scanning feature replaces it but focuses on analysis, not action. So don’t expect Copilot to fill forms or make purchases for you—use it as a research assistant.
• Check for updates: Microsoft is rolling out this feature gradually. If you don’t see it yet, wait a few days or join the Edge Insider program. Keep your browser updated to get the latest capabilities.

With these steps and tips, you can turn Edge Copilot into a powerful multi-tab assistant. Whether you’re researching a purchase, studying for an exam, or tracking news across sites, the AI saves you time by pulling insights from all your open tabs.