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What are the practical benefits of sharing my screen directly with Copilot from the taskbar?
A recent Windows 11 update, KB5065786, introduces a new way to interact with Copilot directly from your taskbar. This change aims to make the AI assistant a more natural part of your daily computer use.
The update is currently available to users in the Windows Insider Program through Beta Preview Build 26120.6690 and Dev Preview Build 26220.6690. It represents a significant step in embedding Copilot’s capabilities deep within the operating system, moving it from a simple chatbot to an active partner in your tasks. The core of this update is a new sharing function that streamlines how you get information and help.
The main feature allows you to share an open application window with Copilot without extra clicks or commands. When you move your mouse over an app’s icon on the taskbar, a new option will appear to “Share this window with Copilot.” This function works much like the existing option to share a window in a Microsoft Teams call.
Selecting this option immediately starts a conversation with Copilot. The AI assistant then uses a technology called Copilot Vision to see and understand the content within that specific window. You can ask questions about what is on your screen, and Copilot will analyze it to provide answers, summaries, or insights. This makes getting help much faster because you no longer need to take a screenshot, copy text, or describe your screen to the AI.
How This Feature Helps You
This direct integration transforms Copilot into an on-screen assistant that helps with what you are doing in real-time. This can be useful in many situations, making your work smoother and more efficient. Think of it as having an expert looking over your shoulder, ready to assist when you need it.
- Researching Information: If you are reading a dense article or looking at a complex data chart, you can share the window. You could then ask Copilot to summarize the key points or explain what the data means in simple terms.
- Solving Problems: When an error message pops up in an application, you can share that window with Copilot. The AI can analyze the error code and text to suggest solutions or guide you through troubleshooting steps.
- Learning and Understanding: If you encounter a diagram, a block of code, or a difficult concept, sharing it with Copilot lets you ask for an explanation. This turns any on-screen content into a learning opportunity.
- Creative Work: You can share an image or a design you are working on and ask Copilot for suggestions or feedback on the layout, color scheme, or composition.
Additional Copilot Improvements
Beyond the taskbar sharing feature, this update also enhances Copilot’s ability to assist with text. A new translation feature is now included in a function called “Click to Do.” When you highlight text on your screen, Copilot can instantly translate it for you. This is helpful for reading documents, websites, or communications in different languages without needing a separate translation tool.
These changes show that Microsoft is committed to making Copilot an essential part of the Windows experience. The goal is to create an operating system where AI assistance is always available and context-aware, reducing friction and helping you complete tasks more effectively. As with all preview builds, the update also includes various bug fixes and stability improvements that contribute to a better overall system performance.