In short. The Edge setting is More menu > Settings > Copilot and AI > Allow Copilot to read context clues on the web.
Definition: The Edge setting is Allow Copilot to read context clues on the web, under More menu (…) > Copilot and AI. When enabled, Edge can share browsing context such as the current webpage with Copilot. When disabled, Copilot has no access to browsing data for requests based on websites or browsing data.
Key facts
- Microsoft's Context Clues help page says the setting controls Copilot's access to browsing context.
- The setting can cover the URL, page title, page content or screenshots, and browsing history.
- Microsoft's getting started guide says Edge may use the current webpage, page title, open tabs, and browser history, depending on the prompt.
- Microsoft Learn's Copilot Chat in Edge documentation says relevant data may be sent based on the prompt and the user's consent to share data with Microsoft.
Where is the switch in Edge?
Microsoft's help instructions place the control in Edge Settings. The route is:
More menu (…) > Settings > Copilot and AI > Allow Copilot to read context clues on the web
The same control is also described from the toolbar as More menu (…) > Copilot and AI. The setting can be turned on or off at any time. Microsoft's instructions state that, when it is off, suggestions and some Copilot answers are less relevant.
What can Edge send as context?
Context clues are browsing information that Edge can make available to Copilot for a prompt. Microsoft's Context Clues documentation lists the URL, page title, page content or screenshots, and browsing history. It also says that shared browsing data can support requests to analyze or summarize a page, or to create podcasts, study guides, or quizzes.
The separate Microsoft Support guide describes prompt-dependent selection. A request that refers to page content, such as a request to summarize a webpage, video, or PDF, can use the current webpage, page title, open tabs, and browser history. A request that does not refer to page content can use the URL, page title, prompt, and previous conversation history. Edge uses page titles and URLs of open tabs to suggest prompts when Copilot opens; the Context Clues help page states that Context Clues are not used to generate those suggestions.
What changes when the setting is off?
With Context Clues off, Microsoft's help page says Copilot does not have access to browsing data and does not answer questions or perform requests based on websites or browsing data. The getting started guide describes the same effect as preventing use of the current webpage, page title, open tabs, or browser history in responses.
Microsoft also states that browsing context is not saved in conversation history. The prompt and Copilot's response are saved there. The help page advises closing tabs and clearing browsing history to remove information from browsing context, and advises against sharing sensitive information that should not be used as browsing context.
How does Microsoft describe permission?
Microsoft Learn documents Copilot Chat in Edge for work or school accounts separately. It says Edge may send relevant data after the user's consent, and gives an example in which Edge shares the URL, page title, user's query, and previous conversation history for a trip-planning prompt. The same page says that enterprise data protection applies to Copilot Chat prompts and responses when the user is signed in with a Microsoft Entra account. Those statements describe the documented enterprise flow, while the Edge setting above is the consumer help route for controlling browsing context.
Related terms
FAQ
Which setting should you change to stop webpage context?
Open the More menu (…) in Edge, select Copilot and AI, and turn off Allow Copilot to read context clues on the web. Microsoft says this prevents the current webpage, page title, open tabs, and browser history from being used in responses.
Does the setting control Copilot's suggested prompt tiles?
No. Edge uses page titles and URLs to suggest prompts when Copilot opens, and Microsoft's Context Clues documentation says Context Clues are not used to generate those suggestions. With the setting off, the suggestions are generic.
What information can you remove from browsing context?
You can close tabs and clear browsing history. Microsoft's help page identifies those actions as ways to remove information from browsing context.
Sources
- Microsoft Support, "How context clues work in Copilot in Edge", 12 August 2026
- Microsoft Support, "Getting started with Copilot in Microsoft Edge", 14 August 2026
- Microsoft Learn, "Microsoft Copilot Chat in Edge", 20 February 2026
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