The era of the Copilot+ PC has transformed from an exclusive preview of Snapdragon-powered devices to a far more inclusive journey, now opening its doors to Windows Insiders utilizing both Intel and AMD processors. This shift marks a pivotal moment in Microsoft’s commitment to reimagining user experience on Windows 11 by infusing everyday workflows with AI-driven intelligence, all while leveraging advancements in modern hardware—not just relegated to one chip ecosystem.
At its inception, the Copilot+ PC vision seemed inextricably linked to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X series, particularly with the roll-out of features like the AI agent woven directly into the Windows Settings app and smart assistance seamlessly embedded throughout the OS. Early adopters, frequently wielding the ASUS Zenbook S 14 and similar Snapdragon-powered machines, acted as the vanguard for these innovations. The landscape, however, changed rapidly with recent Windows 11 Insider builds—specifically, Beta Channel Build 26120.3964 and Dev Channel Build 26200.5600—which unlocked much-anticipated features for Intel and AMD users as well.
While these functions are still in preview and clearly branded as such, their availability for PCs beyond ARM solutions signals a more democratized future. It fosters broader testing, faster iteration, and, importantly, a collaborative refinement between Microsoft and its global user base.
Notably, there is transparency around the rollout pace: the advanced agent integrated into Windows Settings remains, as of the latest Insider builds, exclusive to Snapdragon-based Copilot+ PCs, though Microsoft has promised that this feature will land on Intel and AMD devices once model requirements are met.
The significance here is twofold:
At present, this agent is only accessible on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, but the roadmap spells out forthcoming compatibility with Intel and AMD hardware—a move that aligns with Microsoft’s push toward device-agnostic AI services.
Additionally, a dedicated FAQ section now appears in Settings > System > About, providing instant answers to common queries around system configuration, performance, or compatibility. This self-serve resource may ease support burdens both for consumers and IT desks, while helping users better understand their PCs without needing to trawl forums or documentation.
Looking forward, it’s likely that further iterations will grant enhanced opt-in controls, permit nuanced management of AI features (including deeper privacy toggles), and accommodate multi-lingual and accessibility needs. The trajectory points toward an operating system that is context-aware and assistive by default, but only as intrusive as the user desires.
For early adopters and tinkerers, the current Insider builds are an invitation to co-create this future, stress-testing both the promise and the limitations of device-agnostic AI. For skeptics and privacy advocates, there are valid grounds for caution but also reasons to be optimistic: on-device processing and optional participation represent significant steps in respecting user agency.
As the Windows community absorbs and debates these changes, one truth stands out: the question is no longer if AI becomes integral to Windows, but how—and how much control users retain as this integration deepens. Windows’ strength has always lain in its flexibility; the next test will be how well that legacy adapts to the AI-first age.
Source: Windows Central This Copilot+ PC features isn't just for Snapdragon anymore — Intel and AMD Insiders can try it too
Breaking Down Copilot+ PC’s Expansion Beyond Snapdragon
At its inception, the Copilot+ PC vision seemed inextricably linked to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X series, particularly with the roll-out of features like the AI agent woven directly into the Windows Settings app and smart assistance seamlessly embedded throughout the OS. Early adopters, frequently wielding the ASUS Zenbook S 14 and similar Snapdragon-powered machines, acted as the vanguard for these innovations. The landscape, however, changed rapidly with recent Windows 11 Insider builds—specifically, Beta Channel Build 26120.3964 and Dev Channel Build 26200.5600—which unlocked much-anticipated features for Intel and AMD users as well.While these functions are still in preview and clearly branded as such, their availability for PCs beyond ARM solutions signals a more democratized future. It fosters broader testing, faster iteration, and, importantly, a collaborative refinement between Microsoft and its global user base.
Why This Matters: The Silicon-Agnostic AI Push
The shift toward silicon diversity is not just about inclusivity; it’s strategic. Microsoft’s recent Copilot+ PC initiatives are built on-premise that AI-first experiences should not be bound by underlying hardware. This broad compatibility means features dependent on neural processing units (NPUs)—or, lacking those, capable CPUs and GPUs—can still run efficiently. The result? A much larger base of developers and early adopters can actively shape the direction of Copilot+ and related Windows features, thus accelerating feedback loops and innovation cycles.Intelligent Text Actions and “Click to Do”: A Hands-On Preview
Among the centerpiece features now accessible to both Intel and AMD-powered Copilot+ PCs is “Click to Do,” an AI-powered set of text actions designed to supercharge productivity and streamline common daily tasks. Central to this functionality are “intelligent text actions” that allow users to:- Summarize text blocks instantly
- Create bulleted lists from verbose passages
- Rewrite and polish language (modifying tone, formality, or clarity)
Requirements and Limitations
Currently, these intelligent text features are available when the default display language is set to English, the selected text block contains at least 10 words, and the user signs in with a Microsoft account or a Microsoft Entra account. Microsoft notes that users opting for French or Spanish as their system language will—temporarily—see limited actions (Summarize, bulleted lists, and Refine), with more advanced rewriting options to follow in future builds.Notably, there is transparency around the rollout pace: the advanced agent integrated into Windows Settings remains, as of the latest Insider builds, exclusive to Snapdragon-based Copilot+ PCs, though Microsoft has promised that this feature will land on Intel and AMD devices once model requirements are met.
What Is Phi Silica and Why Does Local AI Matter?
The heart of these AI superpowers in Windows 11 is Phi Silica, an on-device SLM that embodies Microsoft’s investment in running AI models directly on user endpoints. This approach sidesteps the bandwidth, latency, and privacy complications of cloud-based inference. According to Microsoft documentation and developer notes, Phi Silica specializes in natural language understanding and can generate relevant summaries or rewrite text, all while operating efficiently enough to avoid noticeable battery drain or thermal spikes.The significance here is twofold:
- Performance Consistency Across Hardware: By optimizing Phi Silica for various architectures, Microsoft closes the performance and user experience gap between ARM (Snapdragon), Intel, and AMD solutions.
- Enhanced Privacy: Keeping data on-device ensures that sensitive content is less likely to leave the user’s control, addressing a notable concern aired by privacy advocates about cloud-based AI.
The New AI Agent in Settings: Intelligent OS Navigation
Also entering preview is a new conversational AI agent directly embedded in the Settings app. This tool is designed to ease one of the most persistent complaints among Windows users: the complexity of finding and configuring system options. Rather than navigating a maze of menus, users can describe their issue in plain English—such as “How do I increase the size of my mouse pointer?” The agent understands intent, presents relevant options, and with user permission, can automate actions outright.At present, this agent is only accessible on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, but the roadmap spells out forthcoming compatibility with Intel and AMD hardware—a move that aligns with Microsoft’s push toward device-agnostic AI services.
Use Case: Empowerment Through Natural-Language System Control
This evolution is especially helpful for less technically proficient users, reducing friction and enhancing accessibility. For advanced users and power tweakers, the agent also promises to offload routine tasks, keeping workflows fluid and minimizing interruptions.Other Notable Improvements: Dynamic Lighting and FAQs
Microsoft’s latest Insider builds also bring more practical, if less headline-grabbing, enhancements. Dynamic Lighting—allowing users to manage RGB and ambient lighting devices—has improved with safer device ejection via the “Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media” icon. This seemingly small tweak addresses one of the prime feedback requests from those with elaborate peripherals setups.Additionally, a dedicated FAQ section now appears in Settings > System > About, providing instant answers to common queries around system configuration, performance, or compatibility. This self-serve resource may ease support burdens both for consumers and IT desks, while helping users better understand their PCs without needing to trawl forums or documentation.
Critical Analysis: Strengths and Risks
As with any radical shift in platform capabilities, Microsoft’s expanded rollout of Copilot+ PC features brings both significant advantages and some points of contention or risk.Notable Strengths
- Broader Hardware Support: By extending AI features to Intel and AMD PCs, Microsoft taps into millions of additional devices, accelerating feature testing and feedback loops.
- On-Device Inference: Solutions like Phi Silica reinforce privacy and performance, addressing key user concerns that have plagued AI adoption in other consumer scenarios.
- Accessibility Gains: Natural-language support for system settings, coupled with intelligent editing tools, lowers barriers for all types of users.
- Seamless Productivity Tools: The intuitive, context-aware text actions streamline repetitive tasks, freeing up creative and technical energy for deeper work.
Potential Risks and Critiques
- Fragmented Rollouts: At present, some features are only partially rolled out—Snapdragon users receive the earliest access, with Intel/AMD following after model-specific optimizations. This staggered approach could frustrate users accustomed to feature parity.
- Privacy and Opt-Out Controls: Although Microsoft emphasizes on-device processing, users remain wary of AI features woven deeply into the OS. While many new features can be disabled, Windows’ legacy of forced updates and opaque telemetry stokes lingering suspicion among privacy-conscious customers.
- System Performance Hit: Even with streamlined SLMs, there’s a chance that enabling all available Copilot+ features may tax older CPUs and lower-spec PCs, potentially leading to degraded user experience for some.
- Language and Inclusivity Limitations: At launch, intelligent actions favor English, with secondary language support lagging behind; non-English speakers may feel sidelined until full parity is achieved.
Controversy and Community Response
Initial user sentiment, as reported in comments and Windows enthusiast forums, is mixed but trending positive among those eager for innovation. Those enjoying the flexibility appreciate that features can be disabled or ignored, but a vocal segment would prefer a more modular approach to AI—where features are opt-in, not just opt-out.Verifying Technical Claims
1. Phi Silica and On-Device SLMs
Multiple independent sources, including official Windows developer blogs and technical deep-dives, confirm the existence of Phi Silica as Microsoft’s proprietary, lightweight language model serving Edge and Windows Copilot tasks. Early benchmarks report efficient inference on both ARM and x86 silicon, with battery impact in line with or better than previous discrete AI workloads.2. Settings Agent’s Functional Scope
The conversational agent in Settings has been previewed in official Windows Insider documentation, with demonstrations showing both intent parsing and automation of simple system changes (like toggling accessibility options or adjusting display settings). As noted, at the time of writing, this agent is only “live” for Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, but developer channels hint at an imminent expansion to Intel and AMD platforms as underlying SLMs are finalized.3. Feature Availability and Requirements
Changelog documentation from Microsoft—corroborated by first-hand reports from Windows Central and community testers—confirms current requirements for intelligent text actions (English display language, 10+ words, signed-in account) and the roadmap for rolling out additional language support and advanced agent access.The Road Ahead: AI Features and User Choice
Microsoft’s ongoing rollout strategy for Copilot+ PC functionality exemplifies the delicate balancing act between innovation and user autonomy. By first shipping new features to Insiders across a range of hardware, Microsoft invites a wider spectrum of feedback while minimizing the risk of catastrophic bugs reaching the general public.Looking forward, it’s likely that further iterations will grant enhanced opt-in controls, permit nuanced management of AI features (including deeper privacy toggles), and accommodate multi-lingual and accessibility needs. The trajectory points toward an operating system that is context-aware and assistive by default, but only as intrusive as the user desires.
Final Thoughts: A New Baseline for Windows, but on Whose Terms?
The accelerated pace of AI integration into Windows 11 via Copilot+ PC features makes it clear that intelligent assistance is set to become a baseline expectation for new devices—regardless of whether they ship with Snapdragon, Intel, or AMD silicon. By harnessing SLMs like Phi Silica, Microsoft prepares for a future where on-device intelligence is as fundamental as network connectivity or cloud sync.For early adopters and tinkerers, the current Insider builds are an invitation to co-create this future, stress-testing both the promise and the limitations of device-agnostic AI. For skeptics and privacy advocates, there are valid grounds for caution but also reasons to be optimistic: on-device processing and optional participation represent significant steps in respecting user agency.
As the Windows community absorbs and debates these changes, one truth stands out: the question is no longer if AI becomes integral to Windows, but how—and how much control users retain as this integration deepens. Windows’ strength has always lain in its flexibility; the next test will be how well that legacy adapts to the AI-first age.
Source: Windows Central This Copilot+ PC features isn't just for Snapdragon anymore — Intel and AMD Insiders can try it too
