Windows Copilot’s Restricted Rollout: Microsoft Confirms

KEY POINTS

Windows Copilot, powered by Bing Chat with ChatGPT and Microsoft’s LLMs, initiated its rollout on September 26. 

Its availability is currently limited, as it can be accessed only in the U.S., U.K.

Due to Europe’s stringent privacy protection laws, Copilot is presently inaccessible in the region. Microsoft intends to extend its availability to additional regions in the future.

While Copilot holds potential to be a significant tool, its current version faces challenges. Often struggling to make a clear distinction between Bing’s AI-powered search and Assistant.

Windows Copilot, introduced as part of the Windows 11 September 26 Update, began its rollout to the general public on September 26.

Microsoft has clarified that Copilot is temporarily unavailable in Europe due to the region’s strict privacy protection regulations. 

Nevertheless, Microsoft is committed to expanding its support beyond the United States and the United Kingdom. Copilot is integrated into all versions of the Windows 11 Moment 4 update, but it may not appear on the taskbar or settings for users in unsupported regions.

The initial markets for the Copilot in Windows preview include North America, the United Kingdom, and portions of Asia and South America.

We intend to add additional markets over time.

How to Experiment with Copilot in Unsupported Regions

While Windows Copilot is included in the Windows 11 Moment 4 update for all users, it may not be visible for those whose operating system is configured in Europe or other unsupported regions. To access Copilot in such cases, you can follow these steps:

Open Notepad or any application and create a blank file named “Copilot.exe.”

Pin the Copilot.exe file to the desktop or taskbar, and then right-click on the file.

Select “Properties.”

In the Properties of Copilot.exe, change the Target field to the following location:

C:\Windows\explorer.exe “Microsoft-edge:///?ux=copilot&tcp=1&source=taskbar”

Copilot will start on Windows 11 when you click the recently established desktop or taskbar shortcut.

If you prefer not to use the default .exe icon, you can change it to the Copilot image available here to ensure a seamless appearance and functionality on any Windows 11 PC.

Copilot operates as Bing Chat within a WebView interface powered by Microsoft Edge on Windows 11. 

While it can potentially revolutionize the computing landscape, its current functionality is limited. 

Copilot often struggles to determine its primary function when confronted with multiple prompts. Oscillating between Bing’s AI-powered search engine and an AI-driven Cortana-like assistant without producing useful results.

The current Copilot preview lacks robust Windows integration and support for third-party apps and plugins. But Microsoft has expressed its commitment to improving the AI’s performance over time.