Copilot Mode in Edge Is a Game-Changer—But Not for Microsoft 365 Users

Copilot Mode in Edge has arrived!

With new capabilities like multi-tab RAG, Microsoft is leading the pack in revolutionizing how we browse with AI. It's rare to see a new feature pop up that aligns so perfectly with how real people use, and struggle with, an existing product, while providing a simple and powerful solution. I rarely use the term "game-changer"; however, this might totally change how I use my browser.

But the excitement might dissipate when you realize that this is another new set of features that is only available with the consumer Microsoft Copilot; not Microsoft 365 Copilot that you've invested in to keep your business at the front of the AI race.

The most AI-savvy users are arriving at the office this morning, seeing the news of these exciting new features, and discovering it's only available in a product they've been told not to use at work. The AI FOMO this two-tier approach to Copilot creates is real!

By delivering new features, with great fanfare, to Microsoft Copilot ahead of Microsoft 365 Copilot (or Copilot Chat), Microsoft risks alienating users in the market where it is strongest. It seems the consumer AI market is one they are excited to expand into, but the business AI market is the one that is currently theirs to lose.

It is rare that I find someone who uses the consumer Microsoft Copilot over an alternative like ChatGPT or Perplexity. And Microsoft clearly understands that there are some products where it just doesn't have traction in the consumer space. Why else would the route to give feedback on Copilot Mode in Edge be Discord rather than Microsoft Teams Free? (Screenshot attached)

Both Microsoft 365 Copilot AND Microsoft Copilot are strong products with a growing set of excellent features, but failing to maintain parity in capability between the free services offered to consumers and the paid features offered to businesses, while continuing to badge them as roughly the same product, is risky. The toll of this Copilot confusion is starting to shake confidence among many of the customers I work with, and I worry that this is going to leave an opening for competitors that might have less options but make understanding them far simpler.

I still believe that Microsoft 365 Copilot is the best product for most businesses, but it's becoming harder and harder for decision makers to understand.

First posted on Linkedin on 08/05/2025 -> view Linkedin post here