Windows 11 introduces a new feature called Copilot, which is a chatbot AI integration designed to enhance your user experience. In this guide, we’ll show you how to enable Copilot on your Windows 11 computer, allowing you to interact with this innovative feature that can help you with various tasks. Copilot is a part of Microsoft’s effort to integrate Bing Chat AI and third-party plugins into the Windows 11 operating system, making it available for users to simplify their tasks and get quick assistance.
What is Copilot?
Copilot is a chatbot AI feature integrated into Windows 11, bringing the power of Bing Chat AI and third-party plugins to your desktop. It provides a flyout interface accessible from the Taskbar, allowing you to seek assistance, request rewrites, summarizations, and explanations, all without having to open a web browser.
Availability of Copilot
Copilot is officially available starting October 10, 2023, with the update KB5031354 (build 22631.2428) for Windows 11 versions 22H2 and 23H2. Initially, this feature will be accessible in North America and parts of Asia and South America, with plans to expand to other regions in the near future.
Enabling Copilot
If you’re excited to try out Copilot but can’t find it after installing the update, don’t worry; you can still enable it using these methods:
Method 1: Turn on from Taskbar settings
- Open the Settings on your Windows 11 computer.
- Click on Personalization.
- Select the Taskbar tab.
- Turn on the Copilot toggle switch.
This method is the official way to enable Copilot once you’ve installed the necessary update.
Method 2: Turn on from Registry Editor
(Note: Modifying the Registry can be risky, so proceed with caution and create a backup.)
- Open the Start menu.
- Search for “regedit” and click the top result to open the Registry Editor.
- Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced.
- Double-click the “ShowCopilotButton” DWORD and set its value to 1 to enable the feature.
- Click OK and then restart your computer.
This method can be used to enable Copilot if you’re facing issues with the official method.
Windows 11 Update Guide: Exploring New Features In the Biggest Update Yet
Enabling Copilot via Group Policy Editor (Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education)
If you have a Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education edition, you can use Group Policy Editor to enable Copilot. Here’s how:
Method 1: Turn on from Group Policy Editor
- Open the Start menu.
- Search for “gpedit” and click the top result to open the Group Policy Editor.
- Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Copilot.
- Double-click the “Turn off Windows Copilot” policy.
- Select the “Not Configured” or “Disabled” option.
- Click Apply and OK, and then restart your computer.
This method will help you re-enable Copilot if it was disabled through Group Policy settings.
Enabling Copilot via Registry Editor (Windows 11 Home, Pro, Enterprise, and Education)
If you have a Windows 11 Home edition or other editions not covered by Group Policy, you can use the Registry Editor. Here’s how:
Method 2: Turn on from Registry Editor
(Note: Modifying the Registry can be risky, so proceed with caution and create a backup.)
- Open the Start menu.
- Search for “regedit” and click the top result to open the Registry Editor.
- Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsCopilot.
- Double-click the “TurnOffWindowsCopilot” DWORD (if it exists) and change its value from 1 to 0.
- Click OK and enjoy using Copilot on Windows 11.
This method works across various Windows 11 editions and helps you enable Copilot through the Registry.
Conclusion
With Copilot enabled on your Windows 11 computer, you can enjoy the convenience of quick assistance and enhanced productivity. Whether you’re looking for rewrites, summarizations, explanations, or assistance with settings and applications, Copilot is here to make your computing experience even better. Explore the possibilities of Copilot and streamline your tasks on Windows 11.