Windows 11 Copilot Update: How Microsoft Intertwined AI With Your Desktop

Microsoft has completely transformed how you interact with your computer. Instead of opening a web browser to ask an artificial intelligence tool a question, Windows 11 now features Copilot built directly into the operating system. This guide explains exactly how to control your PC and speed up your daily tasks using these integrated tools.

The Foundation of Microsoft Copilot

Copilot is not just a search engine. It is a system-wide assistant powered by the same underlying technology that runs ChatGPT. Through a deep partnership with OpenAI, Microsoft integrated both GPT-4 for advanced text processing and DALL-E 3 for image generation directly into the Windows 11 experience.

Initially launched as a preview in the Windows 11 23H2 update in late 2023, the tool has evolved significantly. Microsoft recently updated Copilot to act as a standalone, resizable application window rather than a fixed sidebar. This change allows you to move the assistant around your screen just like Word or Edge, making it easier to work alongside your other open programs.

Controlling Your PC with Natural Language

The biggest advantage of having an assistant built into your operating system is its ability to change local settings. You do not have to dig through complex control panel menus to find what you need. You can simply type or speak your request.

Here are a few specific system commands you can give Copilot:

“Turn on dark mode.”
“Mute the system volume.”
“Turn on Do Not Disturb.”
“Take a screenshot of this window.”
“Organize my windows into a snap layout.”

When you type a command like this, Copilot will usually prompt you with a confirmation button before making the change. This prevents the AI from accidentally changing a setting you did not intend to touch.

AI Injected into Everyday Windows Apps

Microsoft did not stop at a central chat window. The company also pushed artificial intelligence features into the free, native applications that come pre-installed on every Windows 11 computer.

Microsoft Paint Cocreator

The classic Paint application now includes a feature called Cocreator. You can draw a rough sketch, type a text prompt describing what you want (like “a futuristic city at sunset”), and the AI will generate a polished image based on your drawing. You can adjust a slider to tell the software how strictly it should follow your original sketch versus taking creative liberties.

Photos App and Generative Erase

If you have a great photo ruined by a power line or a photobomber, the native Windows 11 Photos app can fix it. The Generative Erase tool allows you to brush over unwanted objects. The AI then removes the object and realistically fills in the background space so you cannot tell anything was deleted.

Snipping Tool Text Extraction

The Snipping Tool now features a Text Actions button. When you take a screenshot of a document, image, or video frame, the software uses optical character recognition to instantly detect the text. You can then copy that text and paste it into a Word document or an email. It also includes a Quick Redact feature that automatically blacks out sensitive information like phone numbers and email addresses.

The Hardware Shift: Copilot+ PCs

To take full advantage of the newest AI features, Microsoft introduced a new category of hardware in mid-2024 called Copilot+ PCs. Standard laptops run AI tasks through the cloud, which requires an internet connection and causes a slight delay. Copilot+ PCs process these tasks locally on the machine.

These new computers require a specialized chip called a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) capable of performing at least 40 trillion operations per second. Early models of these laptops feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processors, with newer models using Intel Core Ultra and AMD Ryzen AI 300 chips.

If you buy a new computer in 2024 or later, you will also notice a physical change to the keyboard. Microsoft mandated a dedicated Copilot key, located next to the spacebar, replacing the right-side Windows or menu key. Pressing this instantly launches your AI assistant.

Windows Recall

One of the most talked-about features exclusive to Copilot+ PCs is Windows Recall. This tool takes constant snapshots of your screen, creating a searchable visual timeline of everything you have done on your computer. If you remember looking at a red pair of shoes online last week but cannot remember the website, you can search “red shoes” and Recall will pull up the exact moment you saw them. Due to privacy concerns from security researchers, Microsoft made Recall a strictly opt-in feature that requires biometric authentication to use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Microsoft Copilot free to use on Windows 11? Yes, the basic version of Copilot integrated into Windows 11 is free. However, Microsoft offers a paid subscription called Copilot Pro for $20 per month. The Pro version gives you priority access to faster AI models during peak times and integrates directly into desktop Office apps like Word and Excel.

Can I uninstall or disable Copilot? Depending on your region, you may be able to uninstall the Copilot app completely. In the United States, you can right-click the Copilot icon on your taskbar and unpin it to hide it from view. System administrators for businesses can disable Copilot entirely across their networks using Group Policy settings.

Do I need an internet connection to use Copilot? If you are using a standard Windows 11 PC, you need an internet connection because the AI processing happens on Microsoft servers. If you own a new Copilot+ PC with a dedicated NPU, certain features like Live Captions, Windows Studio Effects, and Cocreator run entirely offline.