If the Copilot Edge Sidebar suddenly shows a “migrating” message instead of the assistant, you’re not alone. Microsoft is moving Edge users to a new Copilot experience, and the Sidebar goes quiet while it happens. Microsoft says it “may take a few days.”
The good news: your chats and settings should come back once the move finishes. Here’s what we know, what we don’t, and how to keep using Copilot meanwhile.
Quick facts first:
- The message reads “Your Copilot is migrating to the new experience.”
- Microsoft says it may take a few days and may need an Edge restart.
- Windows Central reported the issue on October 27, 2026.
- Only some users are affected so far.
- Workaround: use copilot.com or the Copilot app until it’s done.
That’s the whole situation in short. The rest of this post covers the details and your options.
What’s happening to the Copilot Edge Sidebar?
According to Windows Central, some people who open Copilot from the Edge Sidebar now see a migration notice. The notice says the move “may take a few days and require restarting Edge.”
Microsoft hasn’t said what the “new experience” actually is. It appears tied to a wider push to unify Copilot across platforms, but that’s Windows Central’s read, not an official statement.
Microsoft’s support pages also don’t mention the Edge Sidebar in this context yet. So treat the timeline as loose until the company says more.
How to keep using Copilot while the Sidebar is down
You have a few easy options. None need any special setup, and the table below compares them.
| Option | What you get | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Restart Edge | May finish the move on its own | First thing to try |
| copilot.com in a tab | Full web Copilot, no Sidebar | Quick questions right now |
| Dedicated Copilot app | Same assistant outside the browser | Daily users on Windows |
| Wait it out | History and settings return after migration | Anyone who can live without it for a few days |
Microsoft’s own message points you to the new Copilot web experience at copilot.com until the migration completes. If you already use the Copilot app on Windows, that’s the smoothest swap.
One thing to skip: don’t uninstall or reset Edge to “fix” this. The notice says the move is happening on Microsoft’s side, so a reset won’t speed it up.
Will you lose your chat history?
Microsoft says no. Its message promises you’ll “see all your chat history and settings once the migration completes.”
That’s a reasonable promise, but it’s worth being cautious. If you have a conversation you can’t lose, such as a prompt you rely on for work, copy it somewhere safe today. It takes a minute and removes the worry.
Why the rollout feels messy
Windows Central’s Sean Endicott argues Microsoft should finish the migration quietly in the background and ship it in an Edge update. Cutting off the Sidebar for days is a strange way to push people toward Copilot, especially when Microsoft is promoting it so heavily.
It fits a pattern. Copilot has been showing up in more places across Windows, as we covered in our look at the Windows 11 October 2026 update, and Microsoft keeps adding AI shortcuts, like the new quick actions in Windows 11 Search.
When a feature moves that fast, small outages like this one are almost expected. They’re still annoying if Copilot is part of your daily routine.
What Microsoft still hasn’t told us
Several basics are still missing. Microsoft hasn’t said what changes in the new Copilot, whether the Sidebar layout will look different, or how many people are affected.
It also hasn’t given an end date. “A few days” could mean two or six, and the in-browser message gives no way to check progress.
Until Microsoft publishes details, assume the Sidebar may look or behave a little differently when it returns. That’s an inference, not a confirmed change, so don’t be surprised either way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Edge Sidebar say Copilot is migrating?
Microsoft is moving your account to a new Copilot experience. The Sidebar version is paused until that finishes, which Microsoft says may take a few days.
Do I need to restart Edge to fix it?
Microsoft says a restart may be required, so try it once. If the message stays, the migration simply hasn’t reached your account yet.
Can I use Copilot somewhere else in the meantime?
Yes. Open copilot.com in any tab or use the dedicated Copilot app. Both work without the Sidebar.
Is my Copilot data safe?
Microsoft says your chat history and settings will appear again after the migration. It hasn’t published more detail, so back up anything important.
The practical take
Don’t fight this one. Restart Edge once, then switch to copilot.com or the Copilot app and carry on. If you rely on the Sidebar for work, save your key prompts now, and check back in a few days. If it’s still stuck after a week, that’s the point to contact Microsoft support.
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