Microsoft Copilot for Windows 11: Native Claims or Web-Based Reality?

There's a new version of Copilot in town for Windows 11, and it's sparking quite the debate over its true nature. If you've been paying attention to Microsoft's recent releases, you might have noticed that this is at least the fourth iteration of Copilot designed to assist users in their day-to-day tasks on Windows 11. But before anyone gets too excited, Microsoft claims this latest version is "native." Spoiler alert: it’s mostly a WebView wrapped up in a shiny title bar.

A Bold and Questionable Claim​

Let’s set the scene: Microsoft boldly states on their blog that they have replaced the old Progressive Web App (PWA) version of Copilot with a "native" app. This doesn’t just sound good on paper; it raises an eyebrow or two. When was the last time a significant Windows application was built natively? With native apps like Outlook being swapped for web-based versions, can we trust the claim? The majority of us hope so, but given the history, skepticism is warranted.
Microsoft insists that you can look forward to a full-fledged native experience. They even mentioned that the new Copilot would appear in the system tray after installation, suggesting a seamless integration into the Windows ecosystem that’s unlike the previous web-based versions.

The Reality Check​

However, Windows Latest put the claim to the test, downloading and installing the app for a hands-on experience. What they found was less than impressive. As it turns out, despite being branded as "native," the app largely functions as the same web-based interface we've seen before, merely wrapped in a new title. In fact, the only aspect that even remotely qualifies as native is the title bar—everything else screams "WebView!"
In a classic twist, the app still operates primarily in the background as a web-based application. Users soon realized that features like sign-in processes redirect to the Microsoft account page on the Edge browser, which sharply undercuts the "native" experience. It doesn't stop there; users encountering privacy dialogs or performing downloads found themselves interacting with Edge—simultaneously breaking immersion and raising system resource usage.

A Memory Monster​

But that’s not even the worst part. Microsoft’s new Copilot reportedly consumes a staggering amount of RAM, with real-time usage spiking to about 1 GB, sometime hitting 1.5 GB during heavy activity. For those of you keeping score at home, that’s a significant chunk of your system’s resources, especially for an application that was supposed to streamline workflows rather than bog down performance.
When dissecting the Copilot process in Task Manager, the evidence of the WebView approach is evident. The application is effectively a thin veneer over a web page, using WebView2 (which, you guessed it, is powered by Microsoft Edge) to deliver its functionalities.

Microsoft’s New Definition of Native​

So what does this mean for the Windows user? The introduction of Copilot as a “native” app makes you wonder about Microsoft’s evolving definitions. Has the term “native” transformed from a representation of full-bodied applications designed specifically for an operating system, to a mere combination of a window shell and web content? This must ignite discussions regarding the purity of applications on Windows: what constitutes a truly native experience?

Conclusion: The Road Ahead​

While Microsoft may have invigorated the Copilot app with a refreshed interface, it remains at its core a web application dressed up in native clothing. Windows users looking for genuine native experiences may want to hold their applause—this is a classic case of style over substance, leaving many of us asking, "What’s next?"
In the grand narrative of Windows 11’s evolution, features, and manageability, one thing’s for sure: brave new tools combined with legacy approaches may not be leading us to a "native" future after all. The real test will lie in the future iterations, improvements, and whether Microsoft can finally deliver an experience that matches its lofty claims.
So, what do you think? Are you impressed with the current state of Copilot, or are you yearning for a truly native application? Let's engage below!

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Source: Windows Latest Microsoft says new Copilot Windows 11 app is native, but NO. It's a WebView, uses 1GB RAM