Artificial intelligence has moved from websites right into the operating system. Windows 11 has a built-in AI assistant, Copilot, which helps you with questions, texts, images and some settings. Let us explain what it is, what it can do and what to watch out for.

What Windows 11 Copilot is

Copilot is an AI assistant built into Windows 11, which Microsoft built on advanced language models. It works similarly to an AI chatbot, except it is directly part of the system, so you have it at hand anytime. You ask it a question or give it a task, and it answers, creates text or an image, or advises.

If you are only just starting with AI tools, the article on how to use AI chatbots helps.

What Copilot can do

In practice it is useful for many common tasks:

  • Answering questions and explaining terms in simple language.
  • Writing and editing texts, for example drafting an email, summarizing a long text, rephrasing or correcting.
  • Summarizing content, for example a long document or a web page.
  • Generating images from a text description.
  • Helping with work, from ideas through tables to simple code.
  • Translations between languages.

Microsoft Copilot gradually adds capabilities such as voice control or assistance where it sees what is on your screen and advises directly on it.

How to enable and summon Copilot

Copilot is usually available from the taskbar (the Copilot icon) or via the Copilot app in the Start menu. On newer versions of Windows 11 you also open it with a keyboard shortcut, or with a Copilot button right on the keyboard if your computer has one.

The form and placement change between versions, because Microsoft updates Copilot often. If you do not see it, check that you have an up to date Windows 11 and the Copilot app installed.

Copilot versus Copilot Pro

There are two tiers:

  • Copilot (basic) is free and covers common everyday tasks.
  • Copilot Pro is a paid subscription that adds priority access, more powerful models and deeper integration with the Microsoft 365 office apps. There is an article on them, Microsoft 365 for businesses.

For most home users the free basic version is enough.

What to watch out for

  • Privacy and sensitive data. Copilot sends your inputs to the cloud for processing. Do not enter passwords, card numbers or sensitive company data into it. This relates to the topic AI, a good servant and a bad master.
  • Verify important answers. AI can make a mistake or make things up (hallucinate). For important matters, check the facts.
  • Microsoft account. For full use you usually need to sign in with a Microsoft account.
  • It is not a replacement for common sense. AI can speed up work, but you keep the decision yourself.

If you want AI without sending data to the cloud, there is also the path of your own solution, more in the article on local AI on your own hardware.

Who it suits

  • Ordinary users who want quick help with text, questions or ideas without opening a website.
  • Work and study, for summaries, drafts and translations.
  • Beginners with AI, who appreciate having the assistant right in the system.

Conclusion

Copilot in Windows 11 brings an AI assistant right into the operating system. It helps with questions, texts, images and some tasks, and the basic version is free. You should, however, use it sensibly: verify important answers and do not put sensitive data into it. As with every tool, it is a good servant but a bad master.

Want to teach yourself or your company to use AI tools effectively and safely? Get in touch, we will be happy to advise and train.