How to set up and use Copilot Daily in Discover

If you use Microsoft Edge You've probably already seen that Copilot icon everywhere, but you might not be entirely sure what it means. What exactly is Copilot Daily on Discover and how to get the most out of it?This feature turns your browser into more than just a gateway to the Internet: it transforms it into a constant assistant that accompanies you with every tab you open.

The idea is that you can Browse, read, watch videos and explore websites while asking Copilot questions without leaving the page.And what's more, with Discover you can change the appearance of the new tab to more closely resemble the Copilot experience, although with fewer customization options than the classic home page. Let's take a closer look at how all this works and how to configure it so you don't run into any problems.

What is Copilot Daily on Discover and how does it fit into Edge?

Copilot is, basically, the assistant of Artificial Intelligence integrated into the Microsoft ecosystemIn Edge, it appears as a permanent companion that you can open from the side of the browser to chat, dictate queries by voice, or ask it to summarize what you are seeing.

When you're reading a news article, watching a video, or researching on a website, you can Ask Copilot anything related to what's on your screenOr something completely different, and it will respond without taking you off the page. In other words, you don't have to open another tab or go to the search engine: everything happens in that same window.

This assistant can answer via both chat and voice. You just have to Click on the Copilot icon (the classic side button on the Edge) To open the panel and start the conversation, you can ask questions, request summaries, translations, ideas, or have them rewrite texts you're viewing.

Discover, meanwhile, is a specific way of presenting that Copilot experience on the new tab page. By activating it, The new tab is no longer the typical one with backgrounds, news, and shortcuts and it becomes much more like the Copilot environment: clean interface, input box and clear focus on interaction with AI.

What changes when you activate Copilot Discover on the new tab page

Among the Edge homepage settings options, there is a specific switch for Activate Copilot Discover in the new tabWhen you turn it on, you'll notice that the new tab page transforms and adopts a style similar to "Copilot mode".

In practice, it works like a normal tab: you can continue browsing, open websites, and use the address bar, but You lose a good portion of the usual customization optionsFor example, you won't have the same level of control over backgrounds, news cards, or custom modules as you do on the classic Edge homepage.

One of the most visible elements is the search box within that Copilot-like interface. In some cases, it has been observed that That built-in search engine may fail or not respond when you enter a query.In other words, you type something and nothing happens, which can be quite frustrating if you expect it to work like the main search function on the page.

In those scenarios, the best course of action is to continue using the browser's address bar as the main search field and relegate the Discover box to the background, at least until the operational problems are fixed with an update.

The great advantage, even with those limitations, is that You always have Copilot at your fingertips, integrated not only into the side panel but also into the new tab philosophyThis encourages you to use AI more continuously during your daily browsing.

How to interact with Copilot while navigating

The Copilot Daily's strength on Discover isn't just its design, but also its ability to maintain a contextual conversation while consuming contentWhether you're reading a technical article, a blog, or watching a video, Copilot can support you every step of the way.

When you're on a page, you can ask it things like "Explain this text to me in simpler language." or "Give me a summary of the video or of the page I have openCopilot analyzes the page content (if the settings allow it) and responds to you in the panel without altering the navigation.

You can also use the voice function. Instead of typing, tap the microphone icon within the Copilot panel and you dictate your consultation out loudThis is convenient if you're doing other things or if you simply prefer talking to writing.

The key is that everything happens without you having to open new tabs or change websites. You can, for example, be browsing a news website, asking questions about what you're reading, requesting context, or asking for explanations of specific concepts—all without any hassle. without breaking the reading flow or jumping between tabs.

This form of daily use is what many people understand as "Copilot Daily": a a constant companion during your browsing and daily tasks, instead of something you only use occasionally like a traditional search engine.

What are Copilot plugins and what are they used for?

Beyond its integration in Edge, Copilot features Add-ons or plugins that extend its capabilities by connecting it to external servicesThey are like extensions that allow you to go beyond your base model and access specific data or systems.

These add-ons are only available when you log in to copilot.microsoft.com with a personal accountNot with a corporate or business account. That is, if you use a work account of Microsoft 365 Within your organization, those plugins may not appear or may not be available.

When enabled, the add-ons allow Copilot interact with tools, online services, or other sources of information in real timeThis makes it much more useful in specific situations: reservations, specific queries, more up-to-date data, etc.

Think of them as additional layers: the language model is still there, but The plugins add external connections that Copilot alone wouldn't have.This combines conversational capabilities with live data and specific contexts.

How to activate add-ons in Copilot

Activating the add-ons is quite straightforward: Within the Copilot interface you will find a main button or switch that you must turn to “ON”By doing so, the use of these plugins is enabled whenever the account and environment allow it.

There is one important limitation: You can only change which add-ons are active when starting a new conversationIf you already have a chat open with a certain set of plugins, the changes you make will not apply retroactively to that thread.

This means that if you want to try different combinations of plugins or activate a new one, the best thing to do is Start a new conversation so that Copilot can take into account the updated settings.This ensures that the responses already incorporate the added capabilities.

This logic also applies to the daily experience in Discover: if you alternate between using Copilot with more or fewer external connections, You'll need to carefully manage when you start a new chat for the changes to take effect. and not to get confused by old conversations.

It is also worth remembering that, since this is a function linked to the account, It is essential to have logged in with the correct profile at copilot.microsoft.com to view and adjust the available plugins.

The search plugin: a key component of the other plugins

Of all the Copilot add-ons, the most important is the search pluginIt's not just another one on the list, but a kind of foundation upon which the rest are built.

By design, it is necessary You need to have the search plugin enabled to be able to activate other pluginsIf you disable it, the rest of the plugins will become unavailable or won't work as expected, because they lose their main access point to the website and real-time information.

The consequence of disabling this plugin is significant: Interactions with Copilot no longer rely on internet informationThe assistant then works solely with the knowledge acquired during their training and with the content that you provide directly.

This makes the answers based on a "Closed" language model, without updates or external consultationsFor example, if you ask about a recent event or about figures that change with ThereThe answer may be inaccurate or outdated.

To illustrate the impact, imagine the following prompt: "What is the men's world marathon record?"With the search plugin enabled, Copilot will attempt to use current information available on the web; with search disabled, it will rely solely on data stored in its internal model, which may not be up to date.

Advantages and disadvantages of using Copilot without web search

Working with Copilot without web access has Some interesting advantages, but also significant limitationsAnd it's important to have them clear in order to choose how to configure it.

On the positive side, by disabling search and other add-ons, The experience becomes more predictable and controlledYou know that Copilot will only use its core knowledge and the content you provide, without mixing it with internet results that may vary, be poorly ranked, or be of low quality.

It can also be an option for those looking for a more text-focused interaction, without distractions or external linksFor example, to rewrite content, practice languages, summarize long documents, or work with your own material that you provide in the chat.

On the downside, that implies forgo updated informationAny question that relies on recent data, news, changing figures, or dynamic context (such as weather, sports results, or regulatory changes) may become outdated if Copilot cannot consult the web.

In addition, many add-ons take advantage of external services, specialized searches, or specific integrations. They cease to make sense if the search is disabled.In practice, you would only be using a portion of Copilot's potential, which may not be ideal if your goal is to learn about or research topics in depth.

That's why it's interesting to consider When are you interested in sacrificing your web connection? In exchange for a more contained experience and when you need the full online potential of Copilot Daily in Discover, with its ability to cross-reference what you read in the browser with external information.

Copilot in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook: Relationship with your account

Copilot isn't just for navigation. It's also available in Microsoft 365 applications such as WordExcel, PowerPoint, and Outlook on the web...provided you are a Copilot subscriber.

If, in addition, you have a Microsoft 365 subscription that includes the apps desktop (those installed on your computer), you will usually also see Copilot in those desktop applications, generally in a Home tab or in a specific panel.

The first critical point for Copilot to appear where it should is to make sure that You are using the correct accountIt is not uncommon to have several accounts (personal, work, study) and for each one to have different licenses.

For home users, you need a Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription, or Copilot ProThese are the ones that allow you to have Copilot fully integrated for personal use, including the browser and apps.

For business users, it comes down to subscriptions like Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Business Standard, Business Premium, E3, E5, F1 or F3In addition to the specific Microsoft 365 Copilot add-on. Without that combination, Copilot may not appear or may only appear in a limited way.

Configure privacy settings so that Copilot appears correctly

Even with the proper license, there are adjustments that can cause this. Copilot does not appear in Microsoft 365 applicationsMost are related to account privacy settings.

In any Microsoft 365 application (Word, Excel, PowerPoint…) you can go to File > AccountWithin that menu you will find the section for Account Privacy, where you must click on Manage settings.

Within that section there are two key options you should reviewThe first is "Experiences that analyze your content," which must be enabled for Copilot to work with what you type or open in documents.

The second option is «All experiences connectedThis must also be enabled; if disabled, some cloud-based features, including the Copilot experience, may disappear or be severely limited.

On macOS, the process is similar: open Word, go to Word > Preferences > Privacy And check that those same options are enabled. If any are unchecked, that could be why you don't see Copilot integrated into the apps.

Keep in mind that these settings don't just affect desktop apps, they also influence how Copilot interprets and uses your documents, emails, and other content., something that is directly related to your daily behavior, even when you use it from Discover.

Combining an account with the appropriate license, properly configured privacy settings, and correct activation of add-ons and search is what will allow you to Copilot Daily in Discover works smoothly, usefully, and consistently while you browse, work on documents, or check your email.

Understanding and fine-tuning all these pieces—the new tab with Discover, add-ons and search, your account license, and privacy—is what makes the difference between having a timid and limited Copilot or enjoying an AI assistant truly integrated into your digital daily life.