Hands-On Windows 164: Every PC Is Now an AI PC

Host: Paul Thurrott
Podcast: Hands-On Windows (TWiT.tv)
Date: October 30, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Paul Thurrott explores Microsoft's evolving definition of the "AI PC" and announces that, thanks to new features in Windows 11, every compatible PC is, in Microsoft's vision, an “AI PC.” Paul walks listeners through the expanding Copilot capabilities and AI integrations in Windows, demonstrates real-world features, previews what’s coming next in Windows AI, and reflects on how AI will soon permeate nearly every aspect of the desktop experience—regardless of hardware.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. What is an AI PC Today? (01:54)

• Background: Previously, "AI PC" referred to specific hardware with NPUs or so-called Copilot Plus PCs.
• Microsoft's New Direction: Now, any PC that runs Windows 11 is evolving into an AI PC due to widespread system-level AI integration—"there's so much AI functionality going on there." (Paul Thurrott, 01:54)
• Scope of AI: AI features available to a much broader user base, not just those with specialized hardware.

2. Copilot Voice Wake Word and Vision Mode (03:26)

• Key Feature: Introduction of a “Hey, Copilot” wake word, reminiscent of old assistants like Cortana, but tightly integrated into Windows 11 now.
• Multi-modal Triggers: You can activate Copilot either through voice or by long-pressing the Copilot keyboard key.
• User Experience Reflection:
  • Quote: "Natural language gives you a lot of nuance... it also gives you the chance to just kind of babble, frankly, which is something that's hard to do when you're typing." (Paul Thurrott, 04:29)
• Vision Mode Explained: You can share any running app or your full desktop with Copilot and have AI interact with whatever is visible on your screen.

3. Highlights and App Integration (05:55)

• Highlights: Apps can be made “Copilot compatible” for two-way guidance (e.g., both Microsoft and third-party apps).
• Real Example: Paul shows using Photos with Copilot to improve picture lighting:
  • Quote: "Show me how to improve the lighting of this picture."
  • Response from Copilot: "To improve the lighting in that picture using Microsoft Photos, click on the Edit button at the top left. Then use the Adjustments menu to alter brightness, contrast and exposure." (07:08)
• Future Direction: Eventually, users will be able to ask Copilot to perform edits directly, not just guide them step by step.

4. Upcoming and In-Development Features (09:25)

• Office App Context: Soon, you’ll be able to use Copilot with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint even without a Microsoft 365 subscription—e.g., summarize, rewrite, or interact with documents/files via voice.
• Text In, Text Out: Initially Copilot Vision was voice-based, but typed interaction is coming due to user demand for prompts.
  • Quote: "It's kind of going in the opposite direction... a lot of people were saying, hey, I'm actually pretty used to typing." (Paul Thurrott, 09:33)

5. Copilot Connectors & Cloud Integration (11:10)

• Supported Services: Microsoft and Google cloud storage (OneDrive, Google Drive), Outlook, Gmail, Google Calendar for email and contact queries.
• Practical Limitations: Typing performs better than voice for email/calendar queries; some features are in limited rollout.
• Data Use: Copilot pulls context from connected services to answer user queries or execute commands.

6. Copilot and Windows Settings Integration (13:41)

• Direct Actions: You can type “dark mode” or other setting changes into Copilot and it will either make changes directly or guide you step-by-step.
  • Example: Typing "dark mode" lets users switch modes instantly.
• On Copilot Plus PCs: Even more advanced features for direct settings changes are available.

7. Third-party AI: Manus App (15:40)

• What Is Manus? An agentic-capable AI chat app integrating templates, code generation, presentations, and more, being actively promoted by Microsoft.
• Integration: Manus will connect with File Explorer and AI Actions menu, offering quick file-based operations, like generating a website from selected images.
• Strategy Observation: "Why would we have this in addition to Copilot? That's actually a little bit unclear." (Paul Thurrott, 17:51)
• AI Actions Menu: A new menu option ("Open With AI Actions") will support native and cloud-based operations on files, integrating both built-in Microsoft and third-party tools.

8. Click to Do and Zoom Integration (19:45)

• Click to Do: Hold Windows key and click target on screen, then Copilot automatically offers possible actions (e.g., turn data from a screenshot into a chart, or set up a Zoom meeting with a clicked email address).
• Integration Status: Some features (like Zoom and Click to Do) are still pending rollout or require specific setups.

9. The Evolution of Windows Search (21:15)

• Upcoming Changes: The search box will morph into “Ask Copilot,” merging file/web search with Copilot’s AI abilities.
• Seamless Interactions: Copilot will determine whether to handle input as a traditional search or as an AI query/action.

10. Copilot Actions and Security (21:55)

• Native Agent Actions: AI agents will eventually be able to take direct actions on local files, not just cloud content, through standardized APIs ensuring cross-platform functionality.
• Security Concerns: Paul notes privacy and security will be top priorities as Copilot gains more access to local resources.
• Potential Use Cases: Auto-sorting photos, extracting data from PDFs, finding content on PC or OneDrive, all by natural language instructions.
  • Quote: "In the near distant future... you would be able to do things like that locally against the files in your computer." (Paul Thurrott, 22:30)
• Cloud-Powered: Copilot Actions will be cloud-based on standard Windows PCs, with more local/offline options on Copilot Plus PCs.

Notable Quotes

• "Now with Microsoft bringing more and more Copilot and other AI capabilities throughout Windows 11… all PCs that can run Windows 11 will essentially be AI PCs." (Paul Thurrott, 01:54)
• "Natural language gives you a lot of nuance, but it also gives you the chance to kind of babble, which is something that's hard to do when you're typing." (Paul Thurrott, 04:29)
• "Eventually all of our apps are going to start becoming more programmatic... agents will be able to work with them and with online services." (Paul Thurrott, 17:13)
• "Copilot Actions are the native agent capability that Microsoft is building into Windows… it will allow the agent... to interact and take actions on local files that are in Windows." (Paul Thurrott, 21:55)

Noteworthy Segments with Timestamps

• [01:54] - What defines an AI PC? How Microsoft’s definition has shifted.
• [03:26] - Demonstration of Copilot wake word and keyboard activation; value of voice-driven interaction.
• [06:20] - Using Copilot with Microsoft Photos for step-by-step edits.
• [09:25] - Upcoming Copilot features for Office apps and upcoming text-based input support.
• [11:10] - Deep dive into connectors for third-party and Microsoft productivity/cloud services.
• [13:41] - Using Copilot to change system settings (e.g., Dark Mode) and the distinction between regular and Copilot Plus PCs.
• [15:40] - Introduction to Manus, a third-party AI app getting tight integration with Windows.
• [17:51] - AI Actions Menu: How file context AI will work in the future.
• [19:45] - How “Click to Do” and Zoom integration will streamline actions from any screen selection.
• [21:15] - Preview of the “Ask Copilot” search box and its potential.
• [21:55] - Explanation of upcoming security measures and agentic AI actions on local files.

Tone and Delivery

Paul’s style is conversational, honest (admitting when features don’t work in real time), often hands-on, and future-focused. He encourages users to try features themselves, acknowledges the rapid evolution—and growing pains—of Windows AI, and injects personal reflections and wry observations.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode is a must-listen (or read) for any Windows user curious about how artificial intelligence is being woven into every layer of Windows 11. Paul Thurrott explains not only what's new and notable today—like Copilot Vision, Highlights, and connectors—but also gives a preview of features on the horizon, such as deeper app context, text-based interactions, and native agentic capabilities. The message is clear: the era where AI features were limited to a few, expensive machines is ending. If you have Windows 11, your computer is rapidly becoming an “AI PC”—and the changes are only accelerating.