Microsoft Makes Copilot Less Useful on New Copilot Plus PCs

Microsoft recently launched its new range of Copilot Plus PCs, featuring the groundbreaking addition of a dedicated Copilot key on the keyboard. This marks the first major alteration to Windows keyboards in three decades. However, instead of revolutionizing the user experience, the Copilot key now merely launches a Progressive Web App (PWA) version of Copilot, significantly reducing its functionality.

A Step Backward for Integration

The latest updates have stripped away the integration of Copilot into Windows, a feature that had been available since last year. Previously, Copilot could control Windows 11 settings and be docked as a sidebar, making it a useful tool for seamless interaction with the operating system. Now, it’s just a PWA without these capabilities, greatly diminishing its utility. Additionally, Microsoft has removed the keyboard shortcut to Copilot on the new Copilot Plus PCs, rendering the WINKEY + C combination obsolete.

Expectations vs. Reality

Many users, including myself, anticipated that the Copilot key would evolve to function similarly to the Windows key, providing shortcuts to apps and AI-powered features within Windows. This would have significantly enhanced its usefulness beyond simply launching a PWA.

The PWA Limitation

The current Copilot PWA does not integrate with Windows settings, further limiting its functionality. According to a blog post from the Windows Insider team, the decision to transition Copilot to a PWA was driven by feedback during its preview phase. Microsoft aims to provide users with the benefits of a traditional app experience, including the ability to resize, move, and snap the window.

Microsoft's Rationale

Microsoft has stated that this change allows them to "more agilely develop and optimize" the Copilot experience. While this sounds promising for future updates, the current regression in functionality is disappointing. The new Copilot key replaces the menu key (application key) on keyboards of new Copilot Plus PCs, and the Copilot app is pinned to the taskbar, making the dedicated key somewhat redundant.

Future Prospects

Microsoft’s move to convert Copilot into a PWA may seem like a step backward, but the company promises improvements in agility and optimization. There’s potential for future updates to restore or even enhance the lost functionality. Until then, the dedicated Copilot key remains a limited tool, and users will have to adjust to this new, less integrated experience.

Final Thoughts

The introduction of the Copilot key on Copilot Plus PCs had the potential to revolutionize the Windows user experience. However, by reducing Copilot to a basic web app, Microsoft has taken a step back in terms of integration and utility. The tech community will be watching closely to see if Microsoft delivers on its promise of optimizing the Copilot experience in future updates. For now, the Copilot key remains a symbol of untapped potential.

Stay tuned to Kushal Bharat Tech News for the latest updates and in-depth analyses of the evolving tech landscape.