Microsoft is Updating Copilot for Windows … Again

Copilot for Windows is going native: A new version of the app is heading out to all Insider channels that runs natively and adds some new features. By my count, this is the–what?–17th change to Copilot for Windows since it was first rolled out ahead of Windows 11 version 23H2 in late 2023.

Here’s what’s happening.

It’s a native app. Where Copilot to date has been a web app–literally an instance of Microsoft Edge, regardless of which browser you use–this new version is a native app. A native app that wraps a web experience, obviously.

It’s being updated via the Microsoft Store. Copilot is updated via the Store, and so this native app version will arrive via the Store as well. Granted, it’s a CFR, so it may be a while before you see it.

It’s going out to all channels in the Windows Insider Program. This is rare but not entirely unique: The new Copilot for Windows app is now starting to roll out across all Insider Channels

It has some new features. There are two new features. It appears in the system tray when running (but still has a traditional Taskbar icon). And there’s a new Quick View feature that stays on top of other windows, provides a lightweight UI, and can be launched with the Alt + Space keyboard shortcut. (And because so many apps already use this, including PowerToys Run, it has some weird interactions there.)

Beyond that, we might guess that Microsoft plans to roll this out in stable imminently–which, given the holidays, could mean January or February at the latest.