Windows 11 Build 26100.5061: AI Features and Copilot+ Gatekeeping

Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 Release Preview build packs another wave of AI features — but the single addition many users want most is still gated behind Copilot+ hardware, and that restriction exposes the wider tensions in Microsoft’s AI-first roadmap for the OS.

Background​

Windows Insider testers in the Release Preview channel received Build 26100.5061 (KB5064081) on August 14, 2025. The release documents a mix of gradual-rollout features and normal-rollout fixes, with several AI experiences highlighted as marquee items, some broadly available and others reserved for Copilot+ PCs.
Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC initiative intentionally ties advanced, low-latency AI features to machines equipped with on-device neural processing — NPUs — and to a platform model that blends hardware, OS and cloud services. That strategy promises faster, more private AI experiences, but it also creates a hardware-based access fence: the headline AI experiences will arrive first on Snapdragon-powered machines, with Intel- and AMD-powered Copilot+ devices phased in afterward. This rollout pattern has already shaped how features like Settings’ AI agent and Windows Recall are being deployed.

---

What arrived in Build 26100.5061​

Microsoft’s Release Preview post lists many incremental and AI-related changes; the most relevant updates for everyday PC users and IT pros include:

• Recall opens to a redesigned, personalized home page that surfaces Recent Snapshots, Top Apps and Websites, and quick navigation to Timeline, Feedback and Settings. This home page is part of a gradual rollout and depends on snapshot collection being enabled.
• Click to Do now includes a short interactive tutorial to demonstrate context-aware actions on text and images — an onboarding nudge for users unfamiliar with the feature.
• AI Actions in File Explorer let users right‑click on JPG/JPEG/PNG images (and some document contexts) to run a set of image edits or to summarize Microsoft 365 documents. The image actions are Visual Search, Blur Background, Erase Objects and Remove Background (opens Paint). The Summarize action for documents requires an active Microsoft 365 subscription and a Copilot license.
• Agent in Settings — a natural‑language assistant for finding and changing system settings — is now part of the Copilot+ experience and, per the release, supports AMD‑ and Intel‑powered Copilot+ PCs in addition to Snapdragon devices. It currently requires English as the primary display language.
• Quality‑of‑life fixes and UI polish: a redesigned Windows Hello interface, improved lock screen widget personalization beyond the EEA, and numerous bug fixes across File Explorer, Task Manager and accessibility features.

These items are a mixture of features rolling out to all Windows 11 users (or to Insiders broadly) and Copilot+ exclusive experiences that demand AI‑capable silicon and the Copilot+ platform. Reporting and commentary on the release emphasize that the items many will find most transformative — conversational system control and Recall’s “photographic memory” — remain limited to devices with dedicated NPUs at present. (techradar.com, windowscentral.com)

---

The Settings AI agent: small friction, big promise​

What it does​

The new agent in Settings is designed to make systems configuration faster and less error prone by allowing natural‑language queries like “turn on focus assist” or “disable screen saver after 10 minutes.” Instead of mentally mapping nested menus, users type (or later speak) a plain‑English request; the agent finds the relevant option and offers a one‑click change with undo support. That’s genuinely useful for both novices and pros — a time saver that reduces task friction. (blogs.windows.com, techradar.com)

Who can use it now​

Initially the agent was restricted to Snapdragon Copilot+ devices during early Insider previews. With Build 26100.5061 Microsoft explicitly states the agent now supports AMD‑ and Intel‑powered Copilot+ PCs, though the agent only works when English is set as the primary display language. In practice that means the feature is available only on certified Copilot+ hardware enrolled in the appropriate Insider or release rollout rings.

Why it matters​

• Accessibility and usability: Conversational access to system settings lowers the bar for non‑technical users and speeds workflows for power users.
• Local execution and responsiveness: On-device processing via NPUs reduces latency and improves privacy compared with cloud‑first designs.
• Consistency across devices: If Microsoft extends parity across Copilot+ hardware families, users could get the same natural‑language controls regardless of vendor.

But the flip side is the fragmentation risk: those who bought capable Intel or AMD hardware but not Copilot+-certified machines may not see these enhancements immediately, which can lead to perception issues and frustration.

---

Recall: a useful memory with a privacy fine print​

What Recall does now​

Recall is an opt‑in feature that periodically takes encrypted snapshots of your active screen to create an explorable timeline. Build 26100.5061 moves Recall’s UI forward with a new homepage that emphasizes recent snapshots and top apps/websites so users can quickly resume work. The feature relies on snapshots being saved and indexed locally, and it presents the latest captures as shortcuts to resume tasks.

Security and privacy design​

Microsoft’s public guidance states Recall is designed to be secure by default: snapshots are encrypted, stored locally, and protected by Windows Hello Enhanced Sign‑in Security so snapshots are decrypted only after user authentication. Microsoft also says snapshots are not used to train models, are not shared with other users, and do not include DRM or InPrivate content. Recall is opt‑in and provides filters and deletion controls. Those privacy protections are core to Microsoft’s rationale for tethering Recall to Copilot+ devices (on‑device processing enabled by NPUs is central to that approach). (blogs.windows.com, support.microsoft.com)

The pragmatic tradeoffs​

• Utility: Recall can be a genuine productivity multiplier for users juggling many windows, browsers and documents; the ability to search your past interactions using natural language is powerful.
• Privacy concerns: Even though Recall encrypts and confines snapshots to the device, the idea of frequent screen captures is inherently privacy‑sensitive. Users and administrators will want to know exactly where and how snapshot data can be exported, who can enable it in managed environments, and how long snapshots persist. Microsoft has responded by adding export and reset controls and by reducing default retention windows in recent updates, but the debate around background capture persists. (blogs.windows.com, techcommunity.microsoft.com)
• Enterprise control: For managed devices, Recall is disabled by default; IT admins can enable it and configure snapshot behavior. That reflects expected enterprise caution and regulatory needs.

---

File Explorer AI actions and licensing realities​

Build 26100.5061 introduces AI Actions in File Explorer, bringing right‑click contextual shortcuts for both images and documents:

• Image actions (JPG/JPEG/PNG):
• Visual Search (image‑based web search)
• Blur Background (Photos app)
• Erase Objects (Photos app)
• Remove Background (opens Paint for a subject cutout)
• Document actions:
• Summarize via Copilot for Microsoft 365 documents stored in OneDrive/SharePoint — this action requires an active Microsoft 365 subscription and a Copilot license.

Practical notes for users:

• The basic image actions are available to all users with the updated Photos/Paint apps, though the best experience depends on up‑to‑date app versions.
• The document Summarize action is restricted to Microsoft 365 + Copilot license, which means some AI workflows in File Explorer will be pay‑gated for commercial customers and many home users.

This hybrid access model underscores Microsoft’s business calculus: deliver visible AI value to entice upgrades to Copilot licensing while keeping some consumer‑facing AI available as a baseline convenience.

---

Hardware, enrollment and how to tell whether you’ll get these features​

What makes a Copilot+ PC​

Copilot+ PCs are a certified class of Windows devices that include security features (Secured-core PC baseline), Windows Hello Enhanced Sign‑in Security, Microsoft Pluton, and an NPU (neural processing unit) capable of running on‑device AI workloads. Early Copilot+ devices were showcased on Snapdragon X silicon; Intel Core Ultra (with NPU) and AMD Ryzen AI‑class processors are part of the broader target list. Microsoft’s documentation and blog posts describe Copilot+ as a combined hardware + firmware + software specification.

How to check if your PC will be eligible or already has the features​

• Go to Settings > System > About to verify the processor model and Windows edition. If your CPU is branded with “Core Ultra,” “Ryzen AI,” or “Snapdragon X” and your device vendor promoted Copilot+, your machine may be a candidate.
• Join or check the Windows Insider Program settings at Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program to see if you’re in the Release Preview or Dev channel and receiving gradual‑rollout builds. Build 26100.5061 was delivered via Release Preview on August 14, 2025.
• Look for new UI prompts in Settings (agent), Recall in the taskbar/system tray, or AI actions in File Explorer when right‑clicking supported image types. If you don’t see them, your device may not be Copilot+ certified or the rollout might not have reached your SKU yet.

---

Strengths: where Microsoft is getting AI in Windows right​

• Local-first design reduces latency and can improve privacy. By leveraging NPUs and on-device models where possible, Microsoft avoids forced cloud round trips for many interactions, improving responsiveness and reducing data exposure risk.
• Thoughtful UI integration. Features like the Settings agent, Click to Do, and File Explorer AI Actions aim to reduce friction by providing contextual, actionable choices rather than dumping users into separate apps or web services. The interactive Click to Do tutorial is a small but meaningful usability improvement.
• Enterprise controls and opt‑in defaults. For Recall, Microsoft has made the feature opt‑in and added administrative controls and encryption safeguards, which is the right posture for features that record user activity. (techcommunity.microsoft.com, support.microsoft.com)
• Feature layering for different user groups. Microsoft has created multiple tiers: baseline conveniences for all users, Microsoft 365/Copilot pay‑gates for advanced productivity, and Copilot+ hardware exclusives for the lowest-latency local AI. That allows Microsoft to monetize while still improving the product for non‑paying users.

---

Risks and unresolved issues​

• Fragmentation and perceived unfairness. Locking high‑value features behind Copilot+ certification risks alienating users who purchased powerful x64 hardware that lacks the Copilot+ badge. Even some users with high‑end CPUs might be left waiting while Microsoft validates platform parity across OEMs. That friction could translate into negative PR and support burdens.
• Privacy anxiety despite protections. Even with encryption and Windows Hello gating, Recall’s snapshot model is conceptually intrusive. Opt‑in and enterprise controls help, but some users will remain uncomfortable with the idea of frequent screen captures, and regulators or privacy‑sensitive organizations may balk.
• Licensing complexity. The Summarize action’s Microsoft 365 requirement introduces a confusing user experience: certain right‑click AI actions are free, others require paid subscriptions and Copilot licensing. That may fragment the workflow within organizations and for freelance users.
• Dependence on vendor rollout cadence. Even when Microsoft opens functionality, OEMs and silicon partners control how quickly their devices reach Copilot+ certification and update channels. Users who expect parity across Intel/AMD/Qualcomm devices may be frustrated by staggered timelines.

---

Practical guidance for Windows users and IT teams​

• If you value the new AI agent in Settings and Recall’s capabilities, prioritize Copilot+ certified devices when purchasing. For businesses evaluating deployments, ask OEMs and procurement contacts about Copilot+ certification and expected timelines for Intel/AMD support.
• For privacy‑sensitive environments, keep Recall disabled by default on managed devices and provide clear documentation and consent flows before enabling snapshot collection. Use the available filters and retention settings to limit exposure. (techcommunity.microsoft.com, support.microsoft.com)
• Update Photos, Paint and other Store apps to the latest versions to ensure the AI image actions work as intended. Confirm Microsoft 365 and Copilot licensing if your workflows will rely on document summarization via File Explorer.
• Test in the Windows Insider Release Preview channel before broad rollout. For IT admins, pilot the Microsoft 365/Copilot‑dependent features with a controlled group to assess licensing impact and user acceptance.

---

Analysis: where Microsoft’s AI-first Windows strategy shines — and where it stumbles​

Microsoft’s approach is pragmatic: build compelling on‑device AI, secure it by design, and monetize the premium productivity surface area via Microsoft 365 and Copilot licensing. The Settings agent and File Explorer AI actions are concrete, practical features that can save time and reduce friction in ways that feel meaningful rather than gimmicky. Recall, when it works well, could change how users resume interrupted work and find lost content. Those are real, high‑value propositions.
However, the execution raises a strategic challenge. The Copilot+ gating model — while defensible from a performance and privacy perspective — increases risk that users will perceive Microsoft as intentionally fragmenting the OS to upsell hardware or cloud services. If the best experiences require new hardware plus subscription licensing, adoption will be asymmetric and may generate resentment among mainstream users who expect system features to be broadly available once they ship in a Windows release. Balancing exclusivity with fairness is the central tension here. (techradar.com, blogs.windows.com)
There is also the communications challenge: Microsoft must be transparent and granular about what runs locally, what’s opt‑in, how long data remains, and under what administrative policies features can be enabled or disabled. So far the company has added export and reset controls and reinforced on‑device processing claims — all good steps — but skepticism will linger until the features prove safe at scale. (techcommunity.microsoft.com, support.microsoft.com)

---

Bottom line​

Build 26100.5061 moves the Windows 11 AI story forward in useful, practical ways: a smarter Settings agent, a more approachable Recall, Click to Do onboarding, and AI actions in File Explorer that can lift everyday tasks. But the most desirable items — the ones that change how people interact with the OS — are still tied to Copilot+ hardware and, in some cases, Microsoft 365/Copilot licensing. That means the future Microsoft promises is increasingly powerful, but not equally reachable.
For users and IT teams, the sensible path is cautious optimism: try the features in preview if you’re eligible, evaluate privacy settings and administrative controls, and treat Copilot/Copilot+ as a strategic capability to be adopted where the productivity gains justify the hardware and licensing cost. Microsoft’s AI layer for Windows has real potential — the next challenge is making sure it’s delivered in a way that earns trust and avoids fracturing the user base. (blogs.windows.com, support.microsoft.com)

---

(Report: Release Preview build 26100.5061; Microsoft Windows Insider blog and Windows Experience guidance used to verify feature lists and deployment details. Independent reporting and Tech press coverage corroborate rollout patterns and privacy discussions.)

---

Source: TechRadar Microsoft stuffs more AI into Windows 11 - but the only feature I really want comes with a big catch