Microsoft has released an update for Copilot which improves its appearance and functionality in Windows. The new version of the application, available in the Microsoft Store, will change the way we invoke the AI assistant in the operating system. The technology company is committed to better integration so that users become familiar with its functions.
In a Windows Insider blog postMicrosoft announced that the new version of Copilot is now available for download. If you are a member of the program, you can install it and access it using a new keyboard shortcut. One of the most important features is that Copilot stopped being a web app to become a native Windows application.
You will notice the most obvious change once you run it on the desktop. No longer a progressive web application (PWA), the new version of Copilot will appear in the Windows 11 system tray. This version maintains the design language of the operating system, so it will integrate like any of the Microsoft applications.
With the change to a native application, Copilot also adds a new quick view that is activated via the keyboard shortcut Alt + Space. This preview appears as a box in the center of the screen, where we can write the message (prompt) in the text field or activate the voice function. The quick view allows you to make an immediate query without having to open Copilot and will display the answer within the box.
From the preview, users will be able to open the main Copilot window through the button located in the upper left corner. If you only make a quick query, you can close the preview with the keyboard shortcut Alt + Space.
Although the Copilot preview seems like a great idea, Using this key combination could conflict with other applications. If you use launchers like PowerToys Run you will have to change the keyboard shortcut within the app settings, since Copilot does not offer an option to do so. Microsoft notes that Windows will register the application that starts first on the PC and runs in the background as the application that is invoked when using Alt + Space.
How to install the native Copilot app on Windows 11
If you want to try the new native Copilot application, the first thing you have to do is to register for the Insider program on the Microsoft website by logging in with your user account. Afterwards, open the Configuration Windows, go to Update and security and select Windows Insider Program. In this section you must choose a channel according to your needs and level of experience (Canary, Dev, Beta or Release Preview).
The native app is now available in the Microsoft Store for all Insider channels. Just search for the app Copilot (version 1.24112.123.0). If it’s not available yet, you may need to wait a few days as this is a gradual rollout.
If you don’t want to experiment with previous versions, wait a few weeks for it to be released as a final version for all users.
