Windows 11 is poised to receive a deeper level of AI integration within its core file management system. Leaks from recent preview builds have uncovered an invisible button in the File Explorer navigation bar that appears when a user hovers over it. This button is linked to strings of code mentioning a “Chat with Copilot” feature. If implemented, this would allow users to summon an AI assistant directly from any folder to perform tasks such as summarizing the contents of a text file or providing quick feedback on images without needing to open a separate application.
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Windows 11 and the new Copilot sidebar
Windows 11 folders may soon feature a detachable Copilot side panel, similar to the implementation seen in the Microsoft Edge browser. This sidebar is intended to offer in-line feedback and actionable suggestions based on the files currently selected in the explorer view. While Copilot is already accessible via the right-click context menu, this new dedicated button and sidebar represent a more prominent and persistent presence for AI within the desktop environment. Microsoft appears to be positioning these “agentic” capabilities as a central part of the operating system’s evolution toward more automated workflows.
Windows 11 user choice and AI features
Windows 11 users who prefer a traditional desktop experience have raised concerns about the increasing prevalence of AI within the OS. In response, Microsoft is reportedly testing options that would allow users to fully disable or remove certain AI actions from File Explorer. While the Copilot app can already be uninstalled by most users, the deeper system-level “hooks” remain a point of contention. As these features are currently in the testing phase, it is unclear if the File Explorer integration will be enabled by default or remain an opt-in experience when it eventually rolls out to the general public.
