Microsoft has begun rolling out a significant visual overhaul for its Edge web browser, drawing inspiration directly from the design of its Copilot AI assistant. This refresh is currently being tested in early builds available on the Canary and Dev channels, hinting at a potential company-wide shift in design philosophy.
A Complete Interface Transformation
The redesign is not a minor tweak but a comprehensive update affecting nearly every part of the browser's user interface. Elements like the new tab page, settings menu, context menus, and various dropdowns now showcase the rounded corners, updated color palettes, and specific typography first introduced with the Copilot application. According to reports from Windows Central, these visual changes are visible to users even if they do not have the Copilot Mode feature enabled, though the new tab page will adjust its content based on this setting.
Moving Beyond Fluent Design for AI Unity
This update marks a notable departure from Microsoft's established Fluent Design system, which currently forms the visual foundation for Windows 11, Xbox, and Office products. The new Copilot design language gained prominence after a significant portion of the Inflection AI team joined Microsoft in 2024. This style bears a strong resemblance to the design of the Pi AI assistant that Inflection had previously developed.
Microsoft's strategy, as confirmed by AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman in a conversation with The Verge's Tom Warren last year, is to evolve the existing Edge browser rather than launch a completely new, AI-centric browser. "There isn't going to be a new browser; this is just going to be one experience," Suleyman stated. The Edge browser is not the only platform undergoing this change. Microsoft is also experimenting with applying the same Copilot design language to Copilot Discover, an AI-powered iteration of the MSN.com website.
What This Means for Users and Microsoft's Ecosystem
While the new interface has not yet been applied to core platforms like Windows or Xbox, the clear trend is toward creating a unified, AI-driven visual identity across Microsoft's suite of services. This move aims to provide a consistent and familiar experience as users interact with various AI-enhanced tools from the company.
The redesigned Edge interface is currently in the preview stage. It is expected to take several weeks of testing and refinement before it is deemed ready for public release in the stable version of the Edge browser. Users in the early access channels can try it out now to get a first look at Microsoft's potential new design direction.
