Microsoft Tests New Agentic AI Controls in Edge for Business

Microsoft is testing new agentic AI controls in Edge for Business, giving IT teams more ways to manage how Copilot works inside the browser.

The goal is to make Copilot’s browser-based actions safer in enterprise environments, especially as AI tools gain the ability to read tabs, interact with websites, and complete tasks on behalf of users.

Microsoft wants IT teams to control where Copilot can act

Agentic AI can perform broader tasks across a user’s workspace, but that also raises security and data protection concerns. Businesses need to know where AI can operate, what it can access, and what actions it can take.

With the new Edge for Business preview, IT admins can define which websites Copilot can use. They can also enforce data protection policies and restrict actions such as copy and paste.

These controls should help companies test Copilot’s browser automation features without giving the AI unrestricted access across the web.

Users will see what Copilot is doing

Microsoft is also adding more visibility for end users. While Copilot performs browser tasks, users will see a visual overview of its actions.

Users can pause or stop Copilot at any time. Microsoft wants this to keep people in control while AI handles page summaries, comparisons, and other browser-based work.

Copilot can work across open tabs

Copilot in Edge can work across open tabs to help users reduce manual research. It can summarize pages, compare information, and summarize videos from YouTube tabs.

The feature aims to reduce tab switching and make Edge for Business more useful as a workplace productivity tool.

Purview protections are coming to Edge for Business

Microsoft is also adding Purview data protections to Edge for Business. These protections can help audit and block sensitive prompts or uploads.

The company says this could reduce the use of unsanctioned AI tools at work, since employees may have safer AI options directly inside the managed browser.

Edge for Business is getting a Copilot-style new tab page

Microsoft is also testing a Copilot-inspired new tab page for Edge for Business. The redesigned page can show daily activity, suggest prompts, and provide an overview of work.

Microsoft wants the new tab page to act as a productivity hub, rather than just a place to open websites.

The feature is in limited preview

The new agentic AI controls are currently in limited preview. IT teams need to sign up to test them, and Microsoft has published details about what admins can configure during the preview.

The business-focused changes arrive as Microsoft continues reshaping Edge around AI. In the regular version of Edge, the removal of the Sidebar and Collections caused backlash from users.

At the same time, Microsoft is improving Edge security by preventing saved passwords from loading into memory at startup. The company is also removing Copilot Mode from Edge, making AI a more central part of the browser instead of a separate mode.