Copilot on Windows 11 Is Getting Its Own Built-In Browser

Microsoft's Copilot app on Windows 11 is about to get its own browser. The company began testing a built-in browser inside the Copilot app in March, and broader rollout is scheduled for late November 2026.

The feature keeps users inside Copilot when they click a link, opening websites in a panel next to the conversation instead of bouncing to the default browser. According to Microsoft's release notes: 'Microsoft Copilot app now supports in-app browsing on Windows and Mac, allowing users to open websites side-by-side with chat. Available via admin opt-in now, with broader rollout in late November 2026. Users can manage tabs, toggle full-screen, or open links externally.' Data is stored locally, similar to Edge.

The layout works like Microsoft Teams, where links open within the app, and mirrors behavior users already know from X and Reddit, which keep readers inside their own interfaces. The resizable split between conversation and browser makes it possible to chat and browse in one window.

The strategic question is whether a built-in browser changes anyone's habits. Switching a user's default workflow is notoriously hard, and Google has had partial success on mobile, where using Gemini often leads into browsing on the phone. Microsoft's more realistic win may be retention: keeping existing Copilot users inside the app rather than converting Edge users by pushing Copilot into the sidebar. The experiences are similar, but the entry points could not be more different, and entry points are where defaults are won.