Table of Contents
For users prioritizing a minimalist digital workspace, the introduction of the “Copilot Chat” button in Microsoft Edge often represents unnecessary clutter. Microsoft frequently updates this toolbar feature, rebranding it from “Bing Discover” to “Ask Copilot” and now simply “Chat” in version 144.0 and beyond. While this integration offers direct access to the sidebar AI agent (also accessible via CTRL + SHIFT + .), it disrupts the visual flow for users who do not require constant AI assistance.
If you find this addition intrusive, you can disable it efficiently. The process requires accessing specific appearance settings within the browser.
Method 1: The Context Menu Approach (Recommended)
This method is the most direct route to the specific setting.
- Locate the Icon: Find the Copilot logo (or “Chat” button) in the top-right corner of your Edge toolbar.
- Access the Menu: Right-click the icon directly.
- Initiate Removal: Select “Hide Copilot” from the dropdown menu.
- Finalize the Action: This action redirects you to the settings sidebar. Locate the toggle labeled “Show Copilot” and switch it to OFF.
Method 2: The Settings Menu Approach
If the context menu does not appear, navigation through the main system settings ensures the same result.
- Open Menu: Click the three-dot menu (…) in the far right of the toolbar.
- Navigate to Settings: Select Settings from the list.
- Find Appearance: Click on the Appearance tab in the left-hand navigation pane.
- Locate Sidebar Settings: Scroll down the right-hand pane until you reach the “Copilot and Sidebar” section.
- Select App Settings: Click on the Copilot option listed under “App specific settings.”
- Toggle Off: Switch the “Show Copilot button on the toolbar” option to OFF.
Pro Tip: Advanced users can bypass the menu navigation entirely. Copy and paste the following path into your Edge address bar to arrive immediately at the correct toggle switch:
edge://settings/appearance/copilotAndSidebar/appSettings
Restoring the Feature
Should your workflow change, you can reverse this process easily. Return to the settings page using the steps above and switch the “Show Copilot” toggle back to ON.
User Experience Analysis
From a usability standpoint, the current implementation of the “Hide Copilot” context menu option is suboptimal. Logic dictates that clicking “Hide” should immediately remove the element. The current requirement—navigating the user to a secondary settings page to manually toggle a switch—adds friction to the user experience. Future iterations of Microsoft Edge would benefit significantly from streamlining this interaction to a single click.