Windows 11 users, brace yourselves. Microsoft has rolled out a new update for Copilot, which now automatically launches in the background as soon as you log into your desktop. While this update is designed to streamline your interaction with the AI assistant—making it immediately accessible via that handy Alt+Space shortcut—the execution leaves us with mixed feelings.
This high RAM usage has led to a common refrain among tech commentators: despite the improvements, Microsoft’s Copilot remains, at its heart, a web wrapper. For a tool that is meant to enhance productivity, its resource-hungry nature is a significant drawback—especially when compared to the leaner, smoother experiences offered by competitors on platforms such as macOS.
What are your thoughts on this update? Does the convenience of auto-run outweigh the drawbacks of high resource usage? Share your opinions and experiences in the comments section below.
WindowsForum.com is your trusted source for in-depth Windows insights and updates. Join the conversation, and stay tuned for more expert analyses on the latest in Windows 11 and beyond.
Source: Windows Latest https://www.windowslatest.com/2025/02/13/windows-11s-microsoft-copilot-now-auto-runs-in-the-background-but-its-still-a-web-crap/
What’s New with Copilot?
The latest update, version 1.25014.121.0, introduces a simple yet potentially game-changing enhancement: auto-run on login. This means that instead of having to manually initialize the app at least once, Copilot now resides quietly in the background, primed and ready for quick access. The options menu has been tweaked as well; while you still have choices for quick view, pinning to start, and accessing settings, the “pin to taskbar” option has been removed. For those who depend on the Alt+Space shortcut for a faster AI chat experience, this update is a welcome convenience.Enhanced Functionalities: Think Deeper and Voice AI Expansion
In addition to the auto-run feature, Microsoft continues to bolster Copilot's capabilities:- Think Deeper: Introduced in December last year, this function utilizes Open AI's latest reasoning model—codenamed o1 Strawberry. Think Deeper allows Copilot to provide responses with extended analysis and reasoning. Although these responses may take a bit longer, the in-depth and thoughtful output more closely aligns with user expectations for a quality AI interaction.
- Copilot Voice AI: Expanding from its English-only roots, the Voice AI experience now supports multiple popular languages including German, Spanish, Hindi, and French. This move not only aims to level the playing field with competitors like ChatGPT but also reflects Microsoft’s commitment to making the tool globally accessible.
The Elephant in the Room: Is It Really Native?
Despite the new conveniences and enhanced functionalities, some serious questions remain about the true nature of the Copilot app. While Microsoft has been rebranding and iterating the service—moving from a sidebar integration to a Bing search web wrapper, and then to what’s touted as a "native" app—the reality is less than glamorous. Critics have observed that even after the rebranding, Copilot behaves like an overburdened web app. Reports indicate that it can consume anywhere between 650MB and 1.5GB of RAM, which is no small matter in today’s efficiency-conscious environment.This high RAM usage has led to a common refrain among tech commentators: despite the improvements, Microsoft’s Copilot remains, at its heart, a web wrapper. For a tool that is meant to enhance productivity, its resource-hungry nature is a significant drawback—especially when compared to the leaner, smoother experiences offered by competitors on platforms such as macOS.
What's the Broader Implication for Windows Users?
For everyday Windows users and IT enthusiasts alike, this update offers both benefits and challenges:- Convenience at a Cost: The auto-run feature certainly adds a layer of convenience, ensuring that Copilot is always at your fingertips. However, for those managing system resources or running on less powerful machines, the increased RAM usage might lead to performance bottlenecks.
- Progress in AI Integration: The advancements like Think Deeper and the expanded Voice AI demonstrate Microsoft’s ongoing effort to integrate robust AI capabilities into the Windows ecosystem. These features could become indispensable over time as remote work, multi-language support, and nuanced AI interactions continue to be in demand.
- Awaiting a Genuine Native Experience: The criticism surrounding Copilot’s architecture serves as a reminder that while functionality can be enhanced through updates, a truly native application should ideally be optimized for performance. As Microsoft treads the fine line between web-app convenience and native app efficiency, users will be watching closely to see if future updates deliver on the promise of a well-integrated, resource-efficient experience.
Final Thoughts
The new auto-run feature in Windows 11’s Microsoft Copilot marks another step in the evolution of AI assistants within the Windows environment. While the update clearly enhances user accessibility, it also brings to light the ongoing debate about the app’s native integration and resource efficiency. With high RAM consumption still being a sore point, Windows enthusiasts are left to ponder: Can Microsoft successfully pivot from a clunky web wrapper to a sleek, native application that lives up to the “Copilot” brand?What are your thoughts on this update? Does the convenience of auto-run outweigh the drawbacks of high resource usage? Share your opinions and experiences in the comments section below.
WindowsForum.com is your trusted source for in-depth Windows insights and updates. Join the conversation, and stay tuned for more expert analyses on the latest in Windows 11 and beyond.
Source: Windows Latest https://www.windowslatest.com/2025/02/13/windows-11s-microsoft-copilot-now-auto-runs-in-the-background-but-its-still-a-web-crap/
