Microsoft is set to revolutionize the way users interact with their Windows operating system by introducing Ask Copilot in the taskbar. This innovative feature is designed to replace the traditional Windows Search and is currently being rolled out to Windows Insiders in the Dev and Beta Channels. To access this new feature, users must update to Preview Build 26220.7051 (KB5067115).
Ask Copilot represents a significant evolution in Windows Search, combining its functionality with the advanced capabilities of Copilot. While Microsoft has not officially labeled it as a direct replacement for the existing search feature, it effectively enhances the search experience by integrating Copilot’s semantic understanding. Users can type queries into the Ask Copilot bar, which utilizes the same APIs that drive traditional Windows Search to retrieve local apps, files, and system settings.
However, it's crucial to note that despite this integration, Microsoft is not altering the existing Windows API. This means that Copilot will not access personal content during searches powered by Ask Copilot, ensuring user privacy remains intact.
The Ask Copilot feature aims to transform the taskbar into a dynamic hub, providing users with one-click access to Copilot Voice and Copilot Vision. This is in addition to an enhanced version of Windows Search, which has seen minimal updates over the years. Traditional Windows Search could locate apps, local and OneDrive files, conduct web searches, and access system settings, but it lacked a deeper contextual understanding.
When users engage with Ask Copilot, they can expect a more intuitive search experience. The Ask Copilot bar replaces the Windows Search bar, featuring dedicated buttons for both Copilot Vision and Voice. Clicking on the Copilot Vision button prompts users to share their screen, while the Copilot Voice button activates voice commands, allowing for hands-free interaction.
Testing the new Ask Copilot interface reveals a sleek design that enhances usability. A simple click on the “Ask Copilot anything” search bar opens a floating window with a text box and icons for Copilot Vision and Voice. This smooth animation, coupled with a smaller, more appealing UI, makes Ask Copilot faster and less intrusive than traditional Windows Search.
Like its predecessor, Ask Copilot maintains the ability to search for files, apps, and system settings. During testing, no significant speed differences were noted between the two. However, the cleaner interface of Ask Copilot offers a more pleasant user experience. The feature leverages Windows’ existing search indexing system, meaning that while Ask Copilot cannot access the files being searched, it effectively identifies and presents relevant results.
The standout features of Ask Copilot are undoubtedly Copilot Vision and Copilot Voice, which are intended to facilitate natural interaction between users and their PCs. Unfortunately, these features are still under development and currently redirect users to the Copilot app when accessed from the taskbar.
Microsoft's overarching goal is to integrate Copilot seamlessly into daily workflows, allowing users to invoke these features while performing tasks like editing a PowerPoint presentation. During the demo, Microsoft illustrated how users could initiate Copilot Vision directly from the taskbar, providing a glimpse into the future of productivity on Windows devices.
Despite the introduction of Ask Copilot, traditional Windows Search remains active. The Start menu continues to feature a search bar that opens the standard Windows Search UI, indicating that Microsoft is not phasing out the traditional search functionality just yet. While Ask Copilot offers a minimalistic design and enhanced UI, its current capabilities are somewhat limited, particularly with Copilot Vision and Voice still in development.
It’s important to note that Ask Copilot is an optional feature that users must activate. By default, it will be disabled. To enable it, users can navigate to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Ask Copilot. Toggling this feature will instantly replace the Windows Search with Ask Copilot. Users can revert to the traditional search at any time by disabling the toggle.
As of now, Ask Copilot is exclusive to Windows insiders in the Beta and Dev channels, with no confirmed timeline for a broader public release. As Microsoft prepares for a wider rollout, the demand for computational resources to support user queries is expected to grow significantly, prompting hopes that some features of the Ask Copilot experience will be available on-device for Copilot+ PCs.
