Copilot is Microsoft's AI assistant, now released as a standalone app for Windows. The first version of this article (May 2024) explained how to install Copilot using a ZIP package extracted from the Windows 11 24H2 preview, including steps to turn on Developer Mode and run PowerShell commands. That method is now outdated: Microsoft distributes Copilot officially through the Microsoft Store, and on new Windows 11 computers the app comes preinstalled by default.
Copilot app system requirements
According to the Microsoft Store app page and Microsoft's support page, the Copilot app for Windows requires:
- Operating system: Windows 10 version 19041.0 or later, or Windows 11.
- Architecture: x64, x86, or ARM64.
- Internet connection: Copilot processes questions in the cloud, so you need to be online while using it.
- Personal Microsoft account: used to sign in to the Copilot app on Windows. When signed in, users get chat history, image creation, longer conversations, and voice interaction.
How to install Copilot on Windows 11 and Windows 10
Before installing, check the taskbar or the Start menu. If the Copilot icon is already there, the app came preinstalled and you only need to open it. If not, install it from the Microsoft Store with these steps:
- Open the Copilot - Download and Install Free on Windows page, or open the Microsoft Store app on your computer and search for "Copilot".
- Check that the publisher is Microsoft Corporation, so you don't install an unofficial app by mistake.
- Click the download button on the app page and wait for the Microsoft Store to download and install it.
- Open Copilot from the Start menu, then sign in with your personal Microsoft account.
An app installed from the Microsoft Store is managed and updated by the Store, so there is no need to extract a ZIP package, turn on Developer Mode, or run the Add-AppxPackage command as in the old instructions. If you previously installed Copilot manually, it's best to remove that version and reinstall from the Microsoft Store.
Ways to open Copilot on Windows
Once it's installed, you can open Copilot in any of the following ways:
- Click the Copilot icon on the taskbar or in the Start menu.
- Press the Copilot key on the keyboard, on computers that have one.
- Press the Windows + C key combination.
- Say "Hey Copilot" once the wake word feature is turned on in Copilot's settings.
A shortcut can open the full app or just a compact quick view. You can adjust how the shortcut behaves under Account > Settings > Copilot Keyboard Shortcuts in the app.
Main features of Copilot on Windows
According to Microsoft, the Copilot app for Windows supports most of the features available on copilot.com, along with a few features unique to Windows:
- "Hey Copilot" wake word: an optional feature, turned on in the account settings within Copilot. It works only when the computer is unlocked, connected to the Internet, and the Copilot app is running. For now the wake word recognizes English only; after a conversation starts, users can keep talking in other languages supported by Copilot Voice.
- Copilot Vision: share an app window or browser (up to two apps at once) so Copilot can answer questions and walk you through steps by voice. Vision is off by default and works only when the user chooses to share the screen. According to Using Copilot Vision with Microsoft Copilot, users need a Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Premium plan to use Vision.
- File search: find, open, and ask questions about the contents of files on your computer, including synced OneDrive files. Copilot can read .docx, .xlsx, .pptx, .txt, .pdf, and .json formats; access permissions are adjusted in the app's account settings.
- Screenshot to ask: in the prompt box, select the + sign, choose screenshot, outline the area you want to ask about, and type your question.
- View web content right in the conversation: links open in a side pane instead of a separate browser window.
- Windows settings help: you can ask something like "Make my screen easier to read" and Copilot will take you to the right section in Settings.
A detailed description of each feature is in the article Getting started with Copilot on Windows on Microsoft's support site.
The free Copilot on Windows differs from the Copilot included with Microsoft 365 plans; Hung Phat summarizes the differences in the article Copilot in Microsoft 365: Free vs. Paid Plans Compared.
How to uninstall Copilot
- Windows 11: open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find Copilot, select the three-dot button next to it, then choose Uninstall.
- Windows 10: open Settings > Apps, find Copilot, then choose Uninstall.
To reinstall, just download it again from the Microsoft Store using the steps above. Microsoft covers uninstalling and installing on each platform in the article Getting started with Microsoft Copilot.
The Copilot app works on any Windows 10 and Windows 11 computer that meets the requirements above. Copilot+ PCs with a high-performance NPU also get a few extra AI features from Windows 11 that run locally on the device; see the article Boost Your Productivity with Copilot+ PC Laptops for more.
