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Re: Can anyone get Edge Copilot to work without logging in after July 2026?

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  Re: Can anyone get Edge Copilot to work without logging in after July 2026? "Alan K." <alan@invalid.com> - 2026-07-27 22:10 -0400
    Re: Can anyone get Edge Copilot to work without logging in after July 2026? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-07-28 12:41 -0700
      Re: Can anyone get Edge Copilot to work without logging in after July 2026? Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> - 2026-07-28 20:46 +0100
        Re: Can anyone get Edge Copilot to work without logging in after July 2026? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-07-28 13:18 -0700
          Re: Can anyone get Edge Copilot to work without logging in after July 2026? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-07-28 14:30 -0700
          Re: Can anyone get Edge Copilot to work without logging in after July 2026? Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> - 2026-07-29 08:12 +0100
            Re: Can anyone get Edge Copilot to work without logging in after July 2026? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-07-29 01:44 -0700
              Re: Can anyone get Edge Copilot to work without logging in after July 2026? Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> - 2026-07-29 10:32 +0100
                Re: Can anyone get Edge Copilot to work without logging in after July 2026? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-07-29 04:40 -0700

#3465 — Re: Can anyone get Edge Copilot to work without logging in after July 2026?

On 7/27/26 9:20 PM, Maria Sophia wrote:
> Can anyone get Edge Copilot to work without logging in after July 2026?
>    https://copilot.microsoft.com/
> 
> As of this month, whenever I use MS Edge to go to Copilot, no matter what
> tricks I use, it wants me to immediately log into a mothership account.
> 
> I can only find one trick that still works, and it only works in Edge.
> But with no other browser can I get copilot to not ask for a login now.
> 
> Q: Other than sidebar Copilot, did you Copilot in Edge just recently ask
> for a login to a mothership account every time you go to it using Edge?
> 
> NB: A separate thread on the Firefox ng shows nobody can do it there.
>   Newsgroups: alt.comp.software.firefox
>   Subject: Recently, did your Firefox stop using Microsoft Copilot in anonymous mode?
>   Date: Sun, 26 Jul 2026 14:00:07 -0700
>   Message-ID: <1145sgm$1cju$1@nnrp.usenet.blueworldhosting.com>

In Linux, I have a bookmark that I launch.
Now the first time I ran it tonight I had to log in, but the next 4 times I loaded Firefox 
and launched Copilot, I didn't have to log in.   Time would only tell.

-- 
Mint 22.3,  Thunderbird 153.0esr,  Firefox 153.0
     Alan K.

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#3481

Paul wrote:
> They don't really use cookies. You'll notice when a web page
> accuses you of shutting off the cookies, that the cookies are
> actually wide open.

I think everyone thinks they're not logging in because Microsoft made the
login part so transparent that it might have happened many years ago.

And it's just remembered.... 

I just realized Edge uses a profile, whether or not you want it.
 Edge:3dots (top right) > Settings > hamburger (top left) > Profiles 

Mine says "Profile 1", which I then pressed the trash can to delete.
It came back. edge://settings/profiles  {Default,Profile1}

Looking it up, you can't use Edge without a profile. 
So everyone has, at least, Profile 1 and Default (I think)... 
 %localappdata%\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\ (their profile name)

So, even though I never logged into anything on Edge, I have:
 %localappdata%\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\Profile1
But the date on everything is today, so it's all new stuff.
But, I also have this, which contains data from years ago! :(
 %localappdata%\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\Default

Even though the edge main data directory contains old stuff
 %localappdata%\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\

I am about to run the nuclear option to ensure profiles are gone.
 taskkill /IM msedge.exe /IM msedgewebview2.exe /IM crashpad_handler.exe /F
 rmdir /S /Q "%localappdata%\Microsoft\Edge\User Data"

Wish me luck.

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#3482

Maria Sophia wrote:

> I just realized Edge uses a profile, whether or not you want it.
>   Edge:3dots (top right) > Settings > hamburger (top left) > Profiles
> 
> Mine says "Profile 1", which I then pressed the trash can to delete.
> It came back. edge://settings/profiles  {Default,Profile1}
> 
> Looking it up, you can't use Edge without a profile.

You can use a Guest instead of Profie1

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#3483

Andy Burns wrote:
>> I just realized Edge uses a profile, whether or not you want it.
>>   Edge:3dots (top right) > Settings > hamburger (top left) > Profiles
>> 
>> Mine says "Profile 1", which I then pressed the trash can to delete.
>> It came back. edge://settings/profiles  {Default,Profile1}
>> 
>> Looking it up, you can't use Edge without a profile.
> 
> You can use a Guest instead of Profie1

Hi Andy,

I trust you, Chris, Paul and a few others because you're reliable.
I noticed you found out you were logged into an old MSA. 
I think a lot of people don't realize that.

I, for one, didn't realize I had a "Default" and "Profile1" profile.
So, to wipe them clean, I ran the tactical dirty nuclear bomb option:
 taskkill /IM msedge.exe /IM msedgewebview2.exe /IM crashpad_handler.exe /F
 rmdir /S /Q "%localappdata%\Microsoft\Edge\User Data"

Somehow it created on my otherwise clean desktop, a new icon for Edge
called "Microsoft Edge.lnk" with the target below that I never use:
 Target="C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\msedge.exe"
(all my targets are customized)

When I click it, I get a splash page:
 "Welcome to Microsoft Edge, the best-performing browser on Windows"
 "Let's start by signing you in and bringing over your passwords, 
  history, and more."
Buttons are:
  [Sign in to sync data]
  [Start without your data]
With a link below that
  Microsoft Privacy Statement <https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=521839>

There is no guest option. I have no choice. I can't X the window away. 
I'll choose [Start without your data] where it now says:
  "Stay current with your browsing data
   Enjoy uninterrupted browsing in Microsoft Edge by always having access  
   to favorites, history, cookies, and more from your other browser."

There's a circle checked that says:
 "Bring over your data from other browsers regularly. 
  You can manage your preferences any time in Settings. 
  Manage (which brings you to options you can manage)

The only option I have is a button for [Confirm and continue].
(and the Microsoft Privacy Statement link)

Now it asks:
 "Help us make Microsoft experiences more useful to you
  Allow Microsoft to save your browsing activity including history, usage, 
  favorites, web content, and other browsing data to personalize and 
  improve Microsoft Edge and Microsoft services like ads, search, 
  shopping, news, and Copilot."
To which I uncheck:
  Make your Microsoft experience more useful to you. Learn more
Again, I have no choice but to hit the button 
 [Confirm and start browsing]
Which brings me to Edge with two tabs open:
 edge://customize/
 https://explore.microsoft.com/en-us/edge/welcome?form=MT00LJ&form=MT004A&sg=0&OCID=MT004A&cs=3247653286

I have no idea what just happened. But let's look for profiles.
 Win+R >  %localappdata%\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\ 
There is a "Default", created today, but no Profile1 in that location.
  %localappdata%\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\Default

There are very dangerous options which are set on by default.
I think some of these are why people "think" they never logged in.

Settings > Import browser data > {chrome, IE11, Firefox, etc.)
Settings > Profile preferences > 
 Automatic sign in on Edge = yes/no (default is yes)
 Allow single sign-on for work or school sits = yes/no (default yes)
 Share browsing data with other Windows features = yes/no (def yes)

And of course, a myriad of settings that affect privacy which 
I won't list but all of which default to the wrong choice.such
as opting to send Microsoft data "to improve the experience".

One of the defaults I left was in Privacy, search, and services:
 Copilot and AI > Show Copilot button in toolbar = on (default)
 Copilot new tab page = off (default)

Going to  edge://settings/help it says 
 Updating Microsoft Edge Version 150.0.4078.99 (Official build) (64-bit)

I didn't see a "Guest" option yet though. Even in the Profile section.

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#3485

Maria Sophia wrote:
> I didn't see a "Guest" option yet though. Even in the Profile section.

Augh. I didn't see it 'cuz it wasn't there.
I looked it up. 

"Browse as Guest" shows up if you click the empty top-right avatar.
Looking it up, Guest mode is a temporary, disposable profile.

It's not tied to any account, and it doesn't change the default.
And, apparently it forgets everything once we close the session.

The odd thing is that Guest mode doesn't have the sidebar chat icon.
Interestingly, since every thread should be a learning experience, 
the InPrivate mode does have the Edge sidebar icon at top right.

To get into InPrivate mode, press Control+N or select the three dots
to the top right and select "New InPrivate Window" from the menu.

So, it seems the simplest test for not logging into Edge, is to use Guest
mode, as Andy suggested, but the simplest test of the sidebar edge chat
(which still doesn't require logging in) is with Edge InPrivate mode.
--
Every Usenet thread should be designed as a learning experience for all.

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#3489

Maria Sophia wrote:

> I didn't see a "Guest" option yet though. Even in the Profile section.

Maybe a win11 difference then, I presume you get an avatar (grey 
anonymous) in the Edge toolbar?  what's at the bottom of the list if you 
click it, here it's "browse as guest"

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#3490

Andy Burns wrote:
>> I didn't see a "Guest" option yet though. Even in the Profile section.
> 
> Maybe a win11 difference then, I presume you get an avatar (grey 
> anonymous) in the Edge toolbar?  what's at the bottom of the list if you 
> click it, here it's "browse as guest"

Thanks. I subsequently found Guest mode, under the avatar (as you noted).
 <Message-ID: <114b728$ugv$1@nnrp.usenet.blueworldhosting.com>

The Guest mode isn't allowed to use the no-login Copilot sidebar.
If the Guest mode wants to use Copilot, it has to log into an account.
 <https://copilot.microsoft.com/>

However, "InPrivate" mode is allowed to use the no-login Copilot sidebar.

To get into InPrivate mode, press Control+N or select the three dots
to the top right and select "New InPrivate Window" from the menu.

Pretty much, I think we've all concluded there is no way, today, to use
Copilot sans an account other than via the copilot sidebar mechanism.
-- 
It takes a different kind of person to notice what nobody else can see.

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#3492

Maria Sophia wrote:

> However, "InPrivate" mode is allowed to use the no-login Copilot sidebar.

"Right now, I only know what you’ve shared in this conversation — and so 
far, you haven’t told me anything about yourself. My memory feature is 
currently off, so I can’t remember details across chats. If you want me 
to keep things like your name, preferences, or long‑term projects in 
mind, you can turn memory on"

sounds about right ...

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#3493

Andy Burns wrote:
>> However, "InPrivate" mode is allowed to use the no-login Copilot sidebar.
> 
> "Right now, I only know what you've shared in this conversation - and so 
> far, you haven't told me anything about yourself. My memory feature is 
> currently off, so I can't remember details across chats. If you want me 
> to keep things like your name, preferences, or long-term projects in 
> mind, you can turn memory on"
> 
> sounds about right ...

Thanks for testing the "InPrivate" mode of the Edge sidebar chat feature.
 Edge: Control+Shift+N (3dots > New InPrivate window)

The funny thing is you can't turn memory on when you're in InPrivate mode.

That's because InPrivate browsing is designed to not store local history,
cookies, or account data, so Copilot runs in a lightweight, no-login state.

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