Introduction
Microsoft has announced a radical transformation of Windows 11, turning it into an AI PC that users can primarily control through voice commands and the Copilot assistant. As Windows 10 bids farewell and the operating system marks 40 years of existence, the software giant wants to completely rewrite its OS around artificial intelligence.
"Let's rewrite the entire operating system around AI, and build essentially what becomes truly the AI PC," said Yusuf Mehdi, executive vice president and consumer chief marketing officer at Microsoft.
Microsoft's Vision: A PC That Understands and Acts
Quick definition: Microsoft's AI PC is an operating system redesigned where integrated AI enables users to interact via voice, gestures, and natural commands, transforming the PC from a passive tool into an intelligent partner.
Microsoft's new strategy focuses on three pillars: voice control with "Hey, Copilot!", the AI's ability to "see" and interpret what happens on your screen, and finally the automatic execution of complex tasks. "You should be able to talk to your PC, have it understand you, and then be able to have magic happen from that," explains Mehdi.
Three AI Features Changing Windows 11
1. Copilot Voice: Voice Command Returns
Microsoft launches a new voice activation feature with the wake word "Hey, Copilot!" for Windows 11. Voice becomes the third input mechanism after keyboard and mouse. However, this is not entirely new: its predecessor Cortana, launched with Windows 10 a decade ago, failed to gain significant traction.
Microsoft is convinced that modern AI will change user behavior and make talking to PCs feel natural. "All the data that we see is when people use voice, they love it," says Mehdi, citing billions of minutes spent speaking in Microsoft Teams meetings.
2. Copilot Vision: AI That "Sees" Your Screen
Copilot Vision is an opt-in feature that allows AI to scan everything appearing on your screen, provide instructions on how to use apps, and answer questions about photos and documents. Unlike the controversial Recall feature, which automatically captured PC screenshots, Copilot Vision requires you to actively stream what you see, similar to a Teams call.
The feature is now available worldwide in markets where Copilot is accessible, offering a level of personalization and contextual support never seen before.
3. Copilot Actions: Intelligent PC Automation
Copilot Actions enables the AI assistant to take local actions on your PC, such as automatically editing a folder of photos or executing complex operations. Microsoft is testing these actions through a preview program limited to a narrow set of use cases.
Copilot Actions operate in a separate, "secured and contained" Windows desktop environment, using an AI agent to complete the requested task. You can let it run in the background while you continue working, with a transparent list of all steps taken.
However, Navjot Virk, corporate vice president of Windows Experiences, candidly admitted: "In the beginning you might see the agent make some mistakes, or encounter some challenges when trying to use some really complex applications." An AI agent that makes mistakes... reassuring, right?
The Challenges: The Ghost of Recall and User Trust
After last year's Recall fiasco, Microsoft will need significant effort to convince users to trust Copilot Vision and Copilot Actions features. The biggest question remains: will users actually want to talk to their PCs?
Despite doubts, Microsoft is not giving up. The company plans to run television ads highlighting these new AI features in Windows 11, with the tagline "Meet the computer you can talk to."
Ecosystem Integration and Simplified Access
Microsoft is integrating Copilot directly into the Windows taskbar, offering one-click access to the new Copilot Vision, Voice features, and a redesigned integrated search experience. This represents a radical shift in how users access AI directly from the operating system.
Conclusion
Microsoft's vision for Windows 11 is deeply ambitious: to transform every PC into a true AI PC that is not just a tool, but a "true partner" for the user. "Anyone upgrading from Windows 10 should experience what it means to have a PC that's not just a tool, but a true partner," says Mehdi.
Whether users will actually want to talk to their computers? That is the billion-dollar question Microsoft is betting on. The features are innovative, but success will depend on the trust Microsoft can rebuild after previous missteps and the real-world utility of these innovations in daily life.
FAQ
What exactly is a Windows 11 AI PC?
A Windows 11 AI PC is a personal computer with an operating system redesigned around artificial intelligence, where Copilot is built-in and controllable primarily through voice, screen vision, and intelligent automations, transforming it from a simple tool into an intelligent partner.
How do you activate Copilot Voice on Windows 11?
Copilot Voice is activated with the wake word "Hey, Copilot!" On Windows 11, voice becomes the third input mechanism (alongside keyboard and mouse) without requiring special hardware. Simply say the command to interact with your PC.
What is the difference between Copilot Vision and Windows Recall?
Copilot Vision requires you to actively stream what you see on your screen, similar to a Teams call. In contrast, Recall automatically captured screenshots without explicit consent, raising privacy concerns that led Microsoft to reconsider the approach.
Can Copilot Actions make mistakes while automating my tasks?
Yes, Microsoft has openly admitted that Copilot Actions, in its initial stages, can make mistakes or encounter difficulties with complex applications. This is why actions execute in a protected environment and display all steps for user review and control.
When will Copilot Voice be available on all Windows 11 PCs?
Copilot Vision is already available worldwide in markets where Copilot is accessible. Copilot Actions is in limited preview, while full availability of all features depends on Microsoft's official release timeline.
Will Microsoft succeed in convincing users to talk to their PCs like with Cortana?
That's the crucial question: Cortana failed to take off a decade ago. Microsoft is betting on the fact that modern AI and billions of minutes spent speaking on Teams demonstrate users love voice interaction when it works well, but success is not guaranteed.
What privacy risks does Windows 11 AI PC present?
Copilot Vision requires consent (opt-in) and streams what you see on your screen. While more transparent than Recall, it still involves data transmission. Microsoft must ensure robust protections and transparency about how this data is used and stored.