How-To

Getting Rid of the Annoying Copilot Rewrite Feature in Edge

By Brian Burgess

Published May 7, 2024

Microsoft puts its Copilot AI into every corner of Windows, including Edge. One thing you might want to remove is the Copilot Rewrite feature.

If you have updated your Microsoft Edge browser, you have likely noticed a new (possibly annoying) feature. The popup appears when you write text in online documents, social media, or blogging services like WordPress. Then, when you highlight your text, a Rewrite with Copilot box appears on the screen.

This feature allows you to rewrite your text into a format the AI thinks is better than your version.

While Microsoft is pushing its Copilot AI throughout Windows 11 and Edge, you have options. For example, you can remove Copilot in Edge or completely turn off Copilot on Windows 11.

Still, if you don’t want to disable Copilot altogether, you can remove the Copilot rewrite feature in Edge using the following guide.

How Do I Use Copilot to Rewrite Text in Edge?

Using the Copilot rewrite feature in Edge is straightforward. You write your text, highlight it, and click the Rewrite with Copilot button or press Alt+I on your keyboard.

So, here is an example of the Rewrite with Copilot button popping up when you highlight written text.

Once you click it, Copilot will create a new AI-generated version of your writing that you can use instead of what you wrote. You can replace the AI-generated version in your post or article if you want.

Disable the Copilot Rewrite Feature in Microsoft Edge

If you find the rewrite box annoying when highlighting the text you’ve written in Microsoft Edge, turn it off using the following steps.

1. Launch the Microsoft Edge browser on your computer.
2. Click the Settings and more (three-dot) button in the top right corner.
3. Choose Settings from the menu that appears.
4. Once you’re on the Settings page, click Languages from the left column.
5. Toggle off the Use Compose (AI-writing) on the web switch under the Writing assistant section.

That’s all there is to it. Once you toggle off the appropriate switch, the Rewrite with Copilot popup will no longer bother you when highlighting text.

Avoiding Copilot Features from Microsoft

Unfortunately, Microsoft will continue adding its Copilot AI throughout Edge and the Windows experience. For instance, if you don’t turn it off, Copilot will begin to launch during startup.

The company seems to be going all in with AI and advertising and not making its new “features” opt-in only. You have to opt out of them actively. It reminds me of how Microsoft forced the failed Cortana digital assistant brand on Windows users. In addition, the company will start pushing ads for apps, software, services, and other products in the Start menu. The good thing there, however, is that you can disable ads in Windows 11 Start.

For now, you can disable annoyances like Copilot, and if you only want to get rid of the rewrite feature in Edge, the process is straightforward. Follow the above steps and toggle off a switch in Settings. If you want to enable it again, go back into the browser’s language settings and turn it back on.