After "Circle to Copilot," Microsoft Edge tests sending images to Copilot for "Visual Search"

Reading time icon 1 min. read


Readers help support MSpoweruser. We may get a commission if you buy through our links. Tooltip Icon

Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help MSPoweruser sustain the editorial team Read more

Key notes

  • Microsoft Edge Canary testing sending images to Copilot for “Visual Search” instead of Bing.
  • Follows “Circle to Copilot” and “Screenshot to Copilot” features, suggesting broader Copilot use.

Microsoft is venturing beyond code generation and exploring new possibilities for its AI assistant Copilot in the Edge Canary browser. In an experimental move, clicking the “Visual Search” option in the image context menu now sends the image to Copilot for analysis instead of opening Bing results in the sidebar as it traditionally functioned. It was seen by Leopeva64 on X.

This experiment follows the introduction of “Circle to Copilot” and “Screenshot to Copilot” features, where users could directly send specific areas (“Circle”) or entire screenshots to Copilot for various tasks.

Drawing inspiration from Google’s “Circle to Search” and its own “Circle to Copilot,” Microsoft is also developing “Screenshot to Copilot.” Currently under development, this feature simplifies searching for information about displayed elements.

However, the activation methods differ: Google utilizes an on-screen circle gesture, while Microsoft’s approach requires a specific action within the screenshot tool.

Remember that this experimental feature is limited to Edge Canary, the testing ground for upcoming Microsoft Edge functionalities. As such, it’s unclear when (or if) this “Visual Search” integration with Copilot will be available in the public release of the browser.

More about the topics: copilot, Microsoft Edge