Microsoft goes native with Copilot. Again
- Reference: 1741249866
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2025/03/06/microsoft_goes_native_with_copilot/
- Source link:
The [1]update , which is rolling out to Windows Insiders from the Microsoft Store is, according to the IT giant, a native XAML app. It includes a side panel for starting conversations and a conversation history list.
Being a properly native app rather than a website running in a container means Copilot has more access to the operating system, for better or for worse
According to Microsoft, users can ask questions about their PC, such as "How do I set up a Bluetooth headset on this device?" and Copilot will respond with something tailored to their device rather than a generic web search.
The app is the latest in a long line of Copilot reinventions. The corporation's [2]last claim to have created a "native" app was just a wrapper around a website and replaced a previous Progressive Web App (PWA).
A few months later, and Microsoft is trying again, this time coming up with something that feels more like an integrated Windows application rather than a hurriedly put-together app based on web components. In the last release, Redmond added a shortcut key – Alt + Space for users without a dedicated Copilot key – but considering the biz released a native version of Copilot for Macs last week, something similar for its flagship operating system, Windows, was needed.
[3]
Being a properly native app rather than a website running in a container means Copilot has more access to the operating system, for better or for worse.
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[5]Framework guns for cheap laptops with upgradeable alternative
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[7]Hey programmers – is AI making us dumber?
The update will roll out across all Insider Channels via the Microsoft Store, although it will be a gradual rollout to ensure nothing crawls out of the woodwork before it hits mainstream users. Microsoft has not given a date for when the update will become generally available, but it will likely arrive in the next few weeks if nothing bad turns up during testing.
As of now, the Copilot app can't do an awful lot to a user's PC. However, it does show the direction of travel – at some point, folks will be able to control more of their PC using a conversational interface rather than a terse call to a family member or IT support person to find out why the printer has stopped working again. ®
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[1] https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2025/03/03/update-for-copilot-on-windows-begins-rolling-out-to-windows-insiders-with-new-features-and-improvements/
[2] https://www.theregister.com/2024/12/11/microsoft_copilot_keyboard_shortcut/
[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/aiml&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2Z8mAU4p0bT2mC0zlRIcpIQAAAE4&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[4] https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/05/microsoft_teases_sales_agent_automation/
[5] https://www.theregister.com/2025/02/26/framework_guns_for_cheap_laptops/
[6] https://www.theregister.com/2025/02/26/europe_has_second_thoughts_about/
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2025/02/21/opinion_ai_dumber/
[8] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Re: users can ask questions about their PC, such as :
"How do I get this piece of cr*p Copilot off of my PC ?"
Funnily enough, that was the first question I asked it when Copilot* appeared on my PC. The answer it gave me wasn't very good though. But having had 24H2 forced on me, it came back again. I was pleasently suprised that the Start menu gave me the option to uninstall it. But I'm sure it'll be back again.
But in my continued attempts at being a garbage collector for MS.. Why can't WIndows Update have an 'advanced' option, like a lot of other software? So give me a choice about the features I want, or don't want installed? I was dreading 24H2 after hearing that it forced HurtLocker onto users, but I managed to avoid that on my and the kid's PCs. I really don't get that decision given MS is basically doing what ransomware gangs do.
Also..
However, it does show the direction of travel – at some point, folks will be able to control more of their PC using a conversational interface rather than a terse call..
I'm.. not convinced. I guess if that means voice control, and it can deal with profanity, it.. might do something useful. But that isn't how users or OS's really work. So I click, or double click on an app and do my thing. Could be fun in something like Word though. Yo, Copilot, write me the next Harry Potter novel.
*Halo appeared on Netflix and it's been amusing watching the product placement for Cortana.. the 'AI assistant' for poor'ol Master Chief who just seems to be annoying and a hinderance rather than anything helpful. Hopefully Copilot goes the same way and gets discontinued.
How do I set up a Bluetooth headset on this device?"
Err... Didn't there used to be help pages for that sort of stuff. Anyway I've never ever found an answer to a Microsoft issue via Microsoft. It's a Microsoft tradition.
A new word
Microstuffed
Control more of their PC using a conversational interface
if the AI was up to snuff, it would know that something amiss and fix the problem with the printer without your having to engage in a conversation with Clippy++.
But as anyone who has ever had to Google for a solution to a Windows problem knows, the only available training data for AI that might be deployed in these circumstances consists of thousands of almost identical web pages suggesting that you turn everything off and on again and then install new drivers and "registry cleaners" from a variety of dubious sources. I can't see Microsoft investing the time and effort to produce reliable and comprehensive troubleshooting documentation because it would imply they had the knowledge as well as the time and effort to make their software more robust, so where is the AI-enhanced advice to come from?
And, in any case, offering AI as a contaminated sticking plaster to cover already suppurating wounds sounds like an act of desperation.
Re: Control more of their PC using a conversational interface
If the response is derived from such training data then, based on my experience in looking for help on forums, the stock answer will be "I have the same problem - if you find a fix then please share it"
Re: Control more of their PC using a conversational interface
Of if from the MS Community, some plank who has no idea who will start of with something like
"HI I am clippy,
I have 12 years working with Microsoft Windows and I am here to help you
Please reboot / try a full install / sorry, Windows cannot do that"
The last response maybe after a few weeks of telling Clippy they are a twat, we have tried everything else and it still does not work
Can disable installation
So now, if we know the folders and file names, try the old trick of addng your own files that do squat diddly and then changing the ACL to stop anything from being able to do anything and see if that works
Linux
See title.
users can ask questions about their PC, such as :
"How do I get this piece of cr*p Copilot off of my PC ?"