Windows 11 Insider Preview Adds New Copilot Share Button
Key Points
- Windows 11 Insider Preview adds a "Share with Copilot" button on the taskbar.
- The button appears when hovering over an open app and lets users send window content to Copilot Vision.
- Copilot Vision analyzes the screen and enables a conversational AI experience for context and tutorials.
- Microsoft describes the feature as an experiment that may be removed before final release.
- The addition joins existing Copilot integrations in Paint, Notepad, keyboard shortcuts and a screen‑text translation tool.
- User reactions are mixed, reflecting curiosity about AI convenience and skepticism about added UI elements.
Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 Insider Preview introduces a new Copilot button that appears when users hover over an open app in the taskbar. The button lets users share the window’s contents with Copilot Vision, which scans the screen, analyzes the information and enables a conversational AI experience for context, tutorials and deeper insights. Microsoft describes the feature as an experiment in taskbar integration and notes it may be removed before the final release. The addition joins a growing suite of Copilot touchpoints across the OS, including Paint, Notepad, keyboard shortcuts and a screen‑text translation tool.
New Copilot Integration in the Taskbar
In the newest Windows 11 Insider Preview build, Microsoft has rolled out a fresh Copilot button that surfaces when a user moves the cursor over an open application in the taskbar. The button, labeled “Share with Copilot,” invites users to send the visual content of the selected window to Copilot Vision, the AI engine that powers Microsoft’s conversational assistant.
Once activated, Copilot Vision scans the displayed content, interprets it, and opens a dialogue with the user. Through this interaction, the AI can provide additional context, answer questions, and even deliver step‑by‑step tutorials related to what is on the screen. The feature is positioned as a way to deepen the integration of AI assistance directly into everyday workflows, allowing users to ask for explanations, clarifications or related information without leaving the current application.
Experimental Status and Potential Changes
Microsoft frames the taskbar button as an experiment, stating that the company is “just trying out this taskbar capability.” As such, the feature may be altered or removed before the final public release of Windows 11. The company’s cautious language reflects an awareness that users have not explicitly requested more Copilot touchpoints, and the firm appears ready to adjust based on feedback.
Alongside the new button, the preview also includes other emerging Copilot functionalities. Existing integrations are already present in Microsoft Paint, Notepad, various keyboard shortcuts and even on the front of some PC models. Additionally, a separate feature that translates on‑screen text is being tested, expanding the suite of AI‑driven tools that aim to enhance productivity.
User Reception and Outlook
Early reactions highlight a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. While some users appreciate the convenience of having AI assistance directly accessible from the taskbar, others question the necessity of yet another Copilot button, especially when the current ecosystem already offers several entry points. The experimental nature of the feature suggests that Microsoft will monitor usage patterns and community feedback closely before deciding on its permanence.
Overall, the new Copilot button exemplifies Microsoft’s broader strategy to weave AI more tightly into the Windows experience. Whether it becomes a lasting component of the operating system will depend on how well it balances added value with user expectations.