Microsoft is putting 'copilot AI' to work in Edge browser to protect users from spam and fake websites, here's how

Microsoft Edge

Microsoft is enhancing the Edge browser with new artificial intelligence features aimed at improving user safety and search efficiency. The latest addition is an AI-powered search tool for browser history, designed to help users retrieve previously visited sites more accurately—even if the search terms are imprecise or contain errors.

Feature details
The new “enhanced search” for browser history is now being tested in beta versions of Microsoft Edge. Unlike standard history search that depends on exact text matches, this AI-based model allows users to find websites using related terms, synonyms, or even typos. For example, searching for “tech updates” could still show a site originally visited under a slightly different keyword or title.

What sets this feature apart is its privacy-conscious design. According to Microsoft, the AI model runs entirely on-device, using locally stored data. The information used to train the model—your browsing history—never leaves your machine and is not shared with Microsoft servers. This contrasts with more invasive methods like Recall, which logs almost every screen activity on Copilot+ PCs.

How it keeps you safe
Although not directly flagged as a security feature, enhanced AI-based search in Edge could indirectly protect users from spam or malicious websites. By helping users easily revisit authentic sites they previously used and trust, the feature reduces reliance on fresh web searches—where users might unintentionally land on scam or spoofed pages.

Additionally, by avoiding off-device data processing, the feature helps maintain user privacy and minimizes the risks associated with data leaks or external manipulation.

Additional updates
Microsoft is also introducing a media control center in Edge, letting users manage multiple audio or video streams directly within the browser. This includes enhanced picture-in-picture capabilities and quick access to mute or play functions.