What does the new Copilot Update mean for Windows users? What are the new Copilot Quick Look and shortcuts on Windows? This article will discuss the benefits of Copilot’s native app integration, the convenience of the Quick Look feature, and the new keyboard shortcuts that improve the user experience on Windows.
Microsoft is updating its Copilot chatbot with a new look in Windows 11, marking at least the third design change since its launch in mid-2023. The new design aims to improve user interaction, simplify accessibility, and integrate more easily with the system. Copilot continues to evolve as an assistant that provides smarter, more intuitive features for users running Windows 11.
New Copilot Update Brings Native App Experience to Windows
Microsoft is rolling out a new update for Copilot on Windows that brings a new look and a more native app experience. What you need to know:
Key changes
- Native app: The previous Copilot PWA is being replaced with a native app that provides better integration with the Windows operating system.
- Taskbar integration: Copilot now appears in the center of the Windows taskbar for easy access.
- Updated interface: The user interface has been updated with a more modern and streamlined design.
- Improved functionality: The new Copilot offers improved features and capabilities, including improved voice commands and customization options.
Copilot on Windows Gets a Quick View and New Shortcuts
Microsoft is rolling out a major update to its Copilot app on Windows, which is currently being tested with Windows Insiders. The update introduces a more streamlined user experience with a new “quick view” feature that aims to provide a faster, more accessible way to interact with Copilot without taking up too much screen space. The new quick view is accessible via the Alt + Space keyboard shortcut, which displays a small pop-up panel. Additionally, a new Copilot icon has been added to the system tray, giving users quick access to the app.
The quick view panel provides a simplified interface that makes it easier for users to access Copilot features without having to open the entire app window. If users prefer a more traditional interface, they can click the icon in the upper-left corner of the panel to re-size Copilot into a resizable window. This feature offers more flexibility and is intended for users who prefer a compact view for convenience, or for those who want a larger, full-screen interface for more extensive tasks. The following new keyboard shortcuts have been added:
- Alt + Space: Open or close Quick View.
- Alt + Shift + Space: Open Copilot in a new window.
- Alt + Tab + Space: Switch between Quick View and the main application window.
Another important improvement is for devices with a dedicated Copilot key on the keyboard. If your PC has this special key, pressing it will skip Quick View mode and immediately open the full, resizable window view of Copilot. This makes it easier for users to access the full functionality of Copilot with the press of a single button.
This update highlights Microsoft’s continued focus on improving user accessibility and performance in Windows with new features designed to make the experience more intuitive and responsive for users. By offering a compact Quick View and larger, more interactive window options, Microsoft aims to improve the usability of Copilot in everyday workflows, while also accommodating a variety of user preferences. This update is available to Windows Insiders first, which allows Microsoft to improve features based on user feedback before releasing them to the general public.
Customize Assistant Copilot in Windows
Microsoft first introduced Copilot Chat on Windows in May 2023, using it as a taskbar button that opens Copilot in a place similar to the quick settings bar in Windows 8 and 10. taskbar. Microsoft later experimented with moving the “Show desktop” button to the right side of the taskbar, but reverted this change after a few months due to user feedback.
Over time, the sidebar was replaced by a more advanced Copilot web app that runs in the Edge window, offering a richer experience. The move to a web-based app allowed for better integration with web and cloud services. However, Microsoft is now retiring the Copilot web app as part of its ongoing updates. In addition to these changes, the feature name has been changed from “Windows Copilot” to “Copilot on Windows”, reflecting the changes in branding and positioning within the broader Windows ecosystem. These changes indicate that Microsoft is continuing to improve the Copilot experience to make it more versatile and easier to use for Windows users.
The Confusion Behind Microsoft’s “Native” Copilot Experience
Microsoft says this new Copilot experience is “native,” but it’s not clear what that means. The screenshot looks exactly like the current Copilot website, so it seems like it’s still a windowed web interface. There are system tray icons and keyboard shortcuts that weren’t there before, but that’s the only visible difference — at least for now.
In any case, Copilot on Windows is still a long way behind ChatGPT on Mac, a full-featured app with more system-level integration and the ability to answer questions based on the contents of the screen. ChatGPT on Windows is a simpler, but still decent, web app. Stardock’s DesktopGPT is another alternative. The new design is currently in testing and should eventually roll out to Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Conclusion
The evolution of Copilot on Windows reflects Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to improve and enhance the user experience. From the original sidebar design in 2023 to the current version featuring a more flexible and accessible Quick View, Copilot has been constantly adapting to meet user needs. With features like Quick View windows, system tray icons, and keyboard shortcut integration, Microsoft is making Copilot more user-friendly and intuitive for everyday tasks. As Copilot Web is phased out and the program moves on to its next form, it’s clear that Microsoft is committed to making Copilot a central and powerful tool for Windows, combining AI and productivity in a seamless and easy-to-use way.