According to Windows Report | Error-free Tech Life, Microsoft is planning a series of updates for Edge and Microsoft 365 Copilot through early 2026. The most immediate change is a “modern” New Tab Page arriving next month, with tests for “Copilot suggestions” already in the Canary channel. Crucially, in February 2026, users will finally get the ability to right-click the Copilot icon on the Edge toolbar and select “Hide Copilot” to remove it, a move addressing widespread complaints. Also in February 2026, iOS users will gain the ability to edit Pages documents through Copilot Chat, while Android gets new Copilot Shortcuts for Pages. For business security, Edge for Business will introduce Tenant Restrictions v2 (TRv2) in January 2026 to block unauthorized tenant access. Earlier that same January, Copilot Chat will get image lighting editing tools and faster, customizable PDF review features.
The Long-Awaited Hide Button
Look, this is a tiny feature. But it speaks volumes. For over a year, users who didn’t want AI shoved in their face every time they opened a browser have been asking for this. The fact that it took Microsoft this long to add a simple toggle is kind of wild. Here’s the thing: it shows they’re maybe, finally, listening to feedback about UI clutter. Admins can still force it on via policy, so businesses pushing Copilot adoption won’t lose their prime toolbar real estate. But for the average person? This is a win for personal preference. It’s a basic concession that not everyone wants their workflow centered on an AI chatbot.
Strategy, Timing, and Who Benefits
So why roll this out in 2026? That’s many months away. The timeline feels less about technical complexity and more about strategic pacing. Microsoft is likely giving its enterprise push maximum runway. They want companies fully onboarded and dependent on Copilot before offering an easy opt-out for individuals. The real beneficiaries of this entire wave are clearly IT administrators and security teams. Features like TRv2 are huge for them—it’s a direct, system-level guardrail for data leakage. That’s the kind of thing that gets a CIO to standardize on Edge. The consumer-facing stuff, like editing image lighting in Copilot? That’s just gravy to make the platform seem more versatile and creative.
The Bigger Picture for Copilot
Basically, Microsoft is playing a long game. They’re embedding Copilot into every surface—the toolbar, the New Tab Page, Office apps, PDFs. They’re making it the central hub for *everything*, from security policy to document editing. Giving you a button to hide the icon is a tactical retreat in a much larger campaign. It’s a pressure relief valve. They probably hope that by making the services themselves more useful (like those faster PDF reviews), you’ll eventually want the icon back. It’s a smart, if slightly cynical, approach. Flood the zone, then let people choose to turn down the volume, but never really let them leave the room.
