Does Browse with Copilot act in the local Edge browser?

Definition: Yes. Browse with Copilot acts in the local Microsoft Edge browser. Microsoft says it performs actions such as clicking, typing and moving between tabs directly in Edge, while showing the work in real time so you can take control.

Key facts

• Microsoft's Browse with Copilot help, dated 12 August 2026, says actions run locally in the browser and remain visible while Copilot works.
• Copilot can work in the current tab or open a new tab in the same browser window.
• The tab where Copilot is working displays a cursor icon in the tab menu.
• Copilot can use tabs already open in the browser window and can work in an existing tab when you explicitly ask.
• Microsoft's Context Clues help describes a separate Edge setting for sharing browsing context with Copilot.

What does local execution mean?

Microsoft uses local execution to describe action inside the Edge browser. Browse with Copilot can click, type, select, scroll and move through webpages in the browser. The help page says that you can see each step in real time and interrupt the task or take control at any time.

The documented action model is tied to the current browser window. Microsoft says Copilot uses that window to perform tasks and has limited information from the Edge profile. During browsing, Microsoft lists autofill data, saved passwords and wallet information outside Copilot's access.

Which tab does Copilot use?

The task determines whether Copilot works in the current tab or opens a new tab in the same window. The working tab shows a cursor icon in the tab menu, which gives you a visible indicator of the active work. You can monitor the steps and take control while the task runs.

Microsoft also says Copilot has access to tabs currently open in the browser window. It can use those tabs for a task and can work directly in an existing tab when you explicitly ask, including reformatting a document that is already open. A request that should use the page already on screen can start with “In my browser…” or “On my current page…”.

What does the Context Clues setting control?

Context Clues is an Edge setting for browsing context. Microsoft's Context Clues documentation says that this context can include the URL, page title, page content or screenshots and browsing history. It describes context used to provide answers and suggestions from the current browsing session.

You can change the setting here:

More menu (…) > Copilot and AI > Allow Copilot to read context clues on the web

When Context Clues is turned off, the same documentation says Copilot does not use browsing data for questions or requests based on websites or browsing data. It also says browsing context is not saved in conversation history, while the prompt and Copilot's response are saved. This setting concerns access to browsing context; the Browse with Copilot help separately describes local page actions and the visible working-tab marker.

Related terms

• Which Edge setting permits Copilot to use the current webpage?
• What browsing information can Edge share as Copilot context?
• Is Edge browsing context saved in Copilot conversation history?
• Can Browse with Copilot use a website's existing signed-in session?

FAQ

Does Browse with Copilot open a remote browser?

Microsoft's documented model places the actions in the local Edge browser. The help page describes local browser execution and does not document a separate remote-browser workflow.

Can I see which tab Copilot is using?

Yes. The working tab shows a cursor icon in the tab menu. Copilot can use the current tab or open a new tab in the same window, and you can monitor the work or take control.

Does Context Clues decide whether actions run locally?

The Context Clues documentation describes access to browsing context such as the page title, URL and page content. Browse with Copilot's documentation separately describes local actions, tab selection and the cursor indicator, so the setting addresses browsing context access.

Sources

1. Microsoft Support, "Browse with Copilot", 12 August 2026
2. Microsoft Support, "How context clues work in Copilot in Edge", 12 August 2026

---

Check how a page reads to answer engines. Open the GEO score analyzer