Microsoft Copilot Update Forces Links to Open in Edge-Based Side Panel, Bypassing Default Browser

Microsoft's latest Copilot update does something the company frames as helpful but functions as a takeover: every link you click inside the app now opens in a Copilot side panel, powered by Edge's rendering engine, rather than the browser you chose and set as your default.

Microsoft describes the intent as keeping content 'in a sidepane next to your conversation instead of a separate browser window, so you don't lose context.'

When the OS vendor controls the platform and routes your links through its own browser engine by default...

Microsoft's new 'context preservation' keeps you from losing the thread of your conversation and keeps you inside Microsoft's browser engine, whether you want to be there or not.