Microsoft has unveiled a significant AI-powered upgrade for all Windows 11 devices, turning the platform into an intelligent, agentic operating system. With this rollout, the company aims to position every Windows 11 computer as an AI-enabled PC, with Copilot serving as its central hub.
A key highlight of the update is the new voice-first experience, featuring the “Hey Copilot” wake command. This allows users to activate Copilot hands-free and interact naturally with their system through voice. From asking questions to managing tasks, users can now converse with their PC effortlessly—and simply say “Goodbye” to end the session. After months of testing the wake word in Windows 11 Insider Builds, Microsoft is now expanding it to all Windows 11 machines.
Copilot Vision Expands Its Reach on Windows 11
In addition to voice control, Copilot Vision can now visually interpret your entire screen and respond in real time. Users can share either a specific application window or the complete desktop while asking questions or requesting help during use. This feature is especially useful for step-by-step visual assistance on tasks displayed on the screen.
What makes it stand out is its ability to highlight clickable areas, guiding users visually throughout the process. You can also share Office files such as Word, Excel, or PowerPoint to receive more detailed insights and support while you work.
A New “Ask Copilot” Search Bar to Replace Windows 11 Search
Microsoft is reportedly set to replace the traditional Windows 11 search bar with a brand-new “Ask Copilot” option on the Taskbar. This updated bar will allow users to access Copilot’s Voice and Vision tools instantly with just one click. In addition, it merges local search functionality, enabling users to find files, apps, and settings directly through the Copilot interface on the Taskbar.
According to Microsoft, Copilot won’t access any personal files directly; instead, it will rely on Windows APIs to locate relevant files and applications. The new “Ask Copilot” search experience will initially be available to Windows Insiders before a wider release.
AI Agent for Performing Local Tasks on Windows 11
Microsoft has introduced a new AI agent in Windows 11 capable of carrying out various tasks directly on your computer. Unlike the previous AI feature limited to the Settings app or Edge browser, this new “general-purpose” Copilot Action can interact with your local files and desktop applications.
With this upgrade, users can simply describe a task — such as renaming or moving files, extracting data from PDFs or images, or creating slides in PowerPoint — and the AI will automatically execute it.
These Copilot Actions operate within a virtual environment on your device, allowing you to continue working without interruption. You can also keep track of the process, pause it, or take control at any time. Essentially, this brings a true AI-powered assistant to Windows 11 that can handle real, system-level operations.
Currently, Microsoft is testing the feature with limited functionalities and plans to roll it out soon for Windows Insiders via Copilot Labs. Moreover, through Copilot Connectors, users can integrate services like Gmail, Outlook, OneDrive, Calendar, and Contacts using the Model Context Protocol (MCP), enabling smoother collaboration between Copilot and third-party services.
At Microsoft Build 2025, the company revealed that MCP is officially coming to Windows 11 — and the feature has now arrived. Through Copilot, users can easily locate appointments by fetching details from Outlook, viewing their Calendar schedule, and performing similar tasks.
Manus AI Agent Arrives in Windows 11 File Explorer
Microsoft is also bringing the Manus AI agent to File Explorer in Windows 11. By simply right-clicking on a document, users can instruct the agent to carry out actions such as building a website from the selected file. Additionally, Manus AI will be accessible as a separate standalone application for Windows 11.
In summary, these AI-powered additions demonstrate Microsoft’s goal of transforming Windows 11 into a fully AI-optimized platform. Moreover, these updates aren’t limited to Copilot+ PCs — all Windows 11 devices will have access to the new features.
