Microsoft is actively testing a new feature to integrate its artificial intelligence assistant, Copilot, directly into Windows 11's File Explorer. This development aims to allow users to interact with Copilot without needing to open a separate application. The move represents a deeper embedding of AI into the core Windows operating system, transforming the traditional file manager into a more interactive tool.[windowslatest+6]
Deeper AI Integration for File Management
Currently, File Explorer offers a basic form of Copilot integration through a right-click context menu option called "Ask Copilot". However, selecting this option typically launches the standalone Copilot app in a new window, requiring users to leave their current file management task. The new testing focuses on bringing the Copilot experience inside File Explorer itself.[windowscentral+5]
Windows Insider community members, including @phantomofearth, have discovered hidden references to a "Chat with Copilot" feature within recent Windows 11 preview builds. These findings include an invisible button, which appears when hovering over specific areas in the navigation bar, signaling Microsoft's intent for this more integrated experience. This button is expected to trigger a Copilot pane, likely appearing as a sidebar or a pop-up interface directly within the File Explorer window.[windowscentral+7]
Internal strings within the preview builds further support this, mentioning "Chat with Copilot" and an option to "Detach Copilot". The "Detach Copilot" feature suggests that users might be able to undock the AI chat view from File Explorer, allowing for flexible interaction. This indicates a design that prioritizes user control while enhancing accessibility to AI assistance.[windowslatest+5]
What Copilot in File Explorer Will Do
With Copilot directly embedded, users could perform a range of AI-powered tasks without switching applications. This includes summarizing documents, extracting key points from text files, and asking specific questions about selected files. The integration is designed to work with various file types, offering immediate AI insights for Office documents, images, and other content.[windowsforum+1]
For example, users might find an "Ask Microsoft 365 Copilot" option within the "Home" tab of File Explorer when hovering over recent or recommended files. Clicking this would send the file to the Microsoft 365 Copilot experience, providing quick summaries or insights directly within the file manager. This streamlines the process of understanding file content and gathering information, saving users time and effort.[windowslatest+4]
The AI actions menu, also being tested, could offer quick, task-oriented operations directly from the context menu. These actions might include "Summarize," "Extract key points," or "Edit image," routing the selected file to the appropriate AI workflow, such as Photos or Paint for images, or Microsoft 365 Copilot for Office documents. This aims to make File Explorer a more proactive and intelligent assistant in daily tasks.[windowsforum+5]
Copilot's underlying technology relies on large language models, enabling it to generate text, summarize information, and automate various actions. By integrating this technology directly into File Explorer, Microsoft is working to transform a traditionally passive file management tool into an active, AI-powered assistant that millions of users interact with daily. This shift means that common file-related queries and tasks could be handled conversationally, making file management more intuitive.[mashable+3]
Future Outlook and User Experience
This deeper integration of Copilot into File Explorer is part of Microsoft's broader strategy to embed AI throughout Windows 11 and its ecosystem. The company has already rolled out Copilot to the Windows 11 taskbar and integrated it into various native applications like Paint and Photos. This consistent push ensures that AI capabilities are readily available across different user interfaces.[mashable+3]
While the "Chat with Copilot" feature is currently in early testing and not yet fully functional in public preview builds, its discovery signals Microsoft's clear direction. The company has also announced plans for Copilot+ PCs, which will include dedicated Copilot keys and utilize on-device neural processors (NPUs) to handle AI tasks more efficiently. These hardware-tiered experiences will further enhance the AI capabilities within Windows.[windowscentral+5]
It is important for users to remember that features in preview builds can evolve, change, or even be canceled before a final public release. However, the ongoing tests strongly indicate that a more seamless and integrated Copilot experience is on the horizon for Windows 11 users. This upcoming integration promises to make daily file management more efficient and intelligent for millions of Windows 11 users.[windowscentral+3]
