Open your browser and…bam…there’s Copilot, already waiting for you in the sidebar. That’s the latest feature Microsoft is quietly testing in Edge, its native web browser.
While this update isn’t widely available yet, it’s showing up in the test build known as Edge Canary; a version where Microsoft experiments with new tools before they go public.
Now, why should this matter to your law firm? Because Copilot is more than a novelty. It’s Microsoft’s AI assistant, and it’s quickly becoming embedded across the tools your team already uses. Things like Word and Outlook to Teams and Windows itself.
This browser update might just be another piece of a larger shift in how your staff works with technology.
Let’s unpack what’s going on, why it matters, and how it could impact your firm for better or worse.
What’s Actually Changing?
Let’s be clear, Copilot is already in Edge. That’s not new.
If you’re unfamiliar, Copilot is Microsoft’s AI assistant designed to help with everything from summarizing web pages to drafting content and answering research questions. It lives in a side panel in Edge and has tight integrations with Microsoft 365 apps.
What is new is that in the test version of Microsoft Edge (called Canary), users have started noticing that Copilot now opens automatically when the browser launches. Instead of needing to click an icon or trigger it manually, it just… shows up. Front and center.
Edge Canary, where this feature is currently being tested, is essentially a “testing ground” browser for Microsoft. It updates daily with experimental features, many of which eventually roll out to the general public.
So while this auto-launch feature isn’t officially live for everyone, it’s being teed up for a broader release. Based on Microsoft’s recent push for AI integration, it’s likely to land sooner rather than later.
What’s the Benefit for a Law Firm?
Microsoft’s goal is simple: make Copilot more accessible. And for law firms juggling tight deadlines, demanding clients, and complex research, this could be a helpful step forward.
Here’s how an auto-launching Copilot could help:
- Jump-start legal research: Copilot can summarize articles, case law, or news stories right in your browser.
- Speed up drafting: Need to start a letter, client memo, or response to opposing counsel? Copilot can help generate a first draft.
- Stay organized: Use it to pull key facts or context from multiple web pages while prepping for a case.
Having Copilot appear automatically might remove the friction of having to remember it’s there in the first place or taking the time to launch it every time you need it.
I think of it like how web searching use to be. Remember when you had to actually go to google to search for something? Open the browser, then navigate to google.com, then search for what you wanted. That was before a search bar was on our home page, or even that you could search in the address bar.
It might seem small, but improvements like this can have a big impact to your workflow.
But Not Everyone’s a Fan
Of course, not all feedback has been positive.
Some users find the automatic launch disruptive. If you’re opening your browser to quickly check a filing deadline or court schedule, having an AI assistant pop up uninvited might feel more like a speed bump than a shortcut.
There’s also concern over control. In early tests, some users reported limited ability to turn off the feature. And for attorneys used to working in a streamlined, no-distractions environment, that’s a red flag.
While Copilot can be incredibly useful, being forced into using it, without a clear off switch, can feel like Microsoft’s overreaching.
Should You Be Concerned?
Not yet, but it’s worth keeping an eye on. This feature is still in the testing phase, and it’s unclear exactly how (or when) Microsoft will roll it out to all users.
But here’s the takeaway: Microsoft is not slowing down with Copilot. From Word to Windows, it’s being woven into every part of the productivity experience. Your team will likely see more AI features show up whether you ask for them or not.
If your firm uses Microsoft 365 and Edge, now’s a good time to:
- Get familiar with Copilot’s capabilities.
- Review Edge browser settings across your devices.
- Decide how hands-on (or hands-off) you want AI to be in your daily workflow.
The Final Verdict
Auto-launching Copilot might seem like a small change, but it points to a much larger trend: Microsoft is betting that AI will become your everyday assistant.
Whether that ends up saving your firm time or becoming a source of annoyance depends on how you choose to engage with it.
Will your firm embrace an AI tool that’s always ready to help or is it one more distraction you’ll need to manage?