By “Microsoft’s New Outlook Update Requires Edge Browser; Introduces AI Meeting Scheduling Feature”
Recent reports suggest that Microsoft’s latest update to the free Outlook app for Windows 10 and 11 now mandates the installation and running of Microsoft Edge browser to access emails within Outlook. This revelation surfaced after users on the online forum Reddit shared images of error messages indicating the necessity of having Edge installed for the new version of Outlook to function properly.
The key reason behind this requirement appears to be Outlook’s utilization of Microsoft Edge Webview 2 for specific web functionalities. While many users typically have Edge installed by default as part of the Windows setup, those who have previously opted to remove Edge may need to reinstall it to comply with the new Outlook requirement.
Beyond the browser dependency, Microsoft’s Outlook update also introduces exciting AI features. One notable addition is the integration of the chatbot Copilot, enabling users to schedule meetings directly from email threads within Outlook. Copilot streamlines the process by generating invitations with appropriate meeting names, agendas, summaries of relevant email threads, and participant lists.
The “Schedule with Copilot” functionality is set to debut as part of Microsoft’s Preview program in March, with a full public launch scheduled for May. However, it’s worth noting that access to this new AI feature will require a subscription to Microsoft 365.
