All TWiT.tv Shows (Audio) Episode: Hands-On Windows 133: Another New Copilot App
Host: Paul Thurott
Release Date: March 27, 2025

Introduction

In the latest episode of Hands-On Windows, host Paul Thurott delves into the evolving landscape of Microsoft's Copilot app in Windows 11. As Microsoft continues to refine and update Copilot, Paul provides an in-depth analysis of the most recent changes, their implications for users, and what to expect in future iterations.

Overview of Copilot App Changes

Paul opens the discussion by highlighting the frequent updates to the Copilot app, noting the challenge in keeping track of its evolving features:

Paul Thurott [02:20]: "I'm not going to try to go through the history of this thing anymore. I can't keep it straight."

He emphasizes that the latest version represents a significant update, marking a shift from previous iterations and signaling Microsoft's ongoing commitment to enhancing user experience with Copilot.

User Interface Updates

One of the immediate changes Paul observes is the revamped user interface. The Copilot app now features a light blue theme when switched to light mode, contrasting the earlier tan aesthetic. Paul demonstrates toggling between dark and light modes to showcase the visual differences:

Paul Thurott [03:15]: "Maybe I will switch this to light mode temporarily, just so you can see this, because it's a little different."

Despite the color scheme change, the core functionalities remain largely consistent, offering users the ability to start new chats, upload files, take screenshots, and interact via voice commands.

Privacy Settings Enhancements

A notable focus of the update lies in the app's privacy settings. Paul delves into the newly introduced options that allow users to control how their data is utilized:

Paul Thurott [05:40]: "There's three options here under privacy that are all very important. Model training on text is enabled by default. Model training on voice is disabled by default."

He discusses the implications of these settings, particularly the default behavior where text inputs are used for model training unless users opt out. Paul expresses concern over Microsoft's data handling practices, urging listeners to be vigilant:

Paul Thurott [06:20]: "If you care about privacy at all, I would turn all of these off."

Voice Interaction Features

The updated Copilot app introduces enhanced voice interaction capabilities. Users can now choose between four different voices, although the preview feature present in previous versions has been removed, requiring users to select and test voices individually:

Paul Thurott [07:45]: "If you interact with this thing using voice, it can talk back to you using voice as well."

Additionally, Microsoft encourages auto-starting Copilot on login and offers pinning options to the start menu and taskbar, although Paul opts to disable these features for personal preference.

Integration with Windows and Future Features

Transitioning to a native Win32 desktop application marks a pivotal change from the previous web app wrapper. Paul speculates on Microsoft's motives, suggesting a renewed focus on Windows integration:

Paul Thurott [09:00]: "One of the reasons I suspect... is that they're bringing back the Windows integration features that have been missing now for six months to nine months."

Looking ahead, Paul references insights from Rafael Rivera about upcoming features slated for future updates. These include:

• Windows Actions: Enhanced integration with Windows tools like the screen snipping tool and screen recording capabilities.
• Windows Vision: AI-driven features that interact with on-screen content.
• Windows Core Audio: Advanced audio functionalities.
• Windows Wake Word: A new mechanism for activating Copilot, reminiscent of Cortana.
• Windows Pro Enabled: Potential additional features exclusive to Windows Pro users.
• Windows Press to Talk: A hardware-based activation method for voice interactions.

Paul underscores the dynamic nature of Copilot's development, predicting ongoing updates and refinements:

Paul Thurott [10:30]: "I have strong suspicions that this thing will be updated yet again."

Conclusion

Paul Thurott's comprehensive review of the latest Copilot app iteration underscores Microsoft's continuous efforts to integrate AI-driven assistance more deeply into the Windows 11 ecosystem. While the updates bring promising enhancements in functionality and integration, they also raise important considerations around user privacy and data usage. As Copilot continues to evolve, users are encouraged to stay informed and actively manage their privacy settings to align with their personal preferences.

For more insights and updates, listeners can visit the TWiT.tv website and subscribe to Hands-On Windows for weekly episodes every Thursday.

Note: All timestamps correspond to the provided transcript and are illustrative of content placement within the episode.