Microsoft has started rolling out a new preview build of Windows 11 that brings an expanded version of Copilot directly into the taskbar. Available in build 26220.7051 for the Beta and Dev channels, this update introduces a feature called ‘Ask Copilot,’ which allows users to interact with the AI assistant from the same space previously reserved for Windows Search.
The change is not being forced. ‘Ask Copilot’ is an opt-in addition, meaning it will only appear if the user enables it manually. Microsoft explains that the new taskbar option is off by default. Those interested in trying it can head to Settings, then Personalization, followed by Taskbar, and toggle on the Ask Copilot feature.
The purpose of this update is to make Copilot more accessible while keeping traditional search functions intact. Users can still type into the taskbar as they always have, but this time the responses will come from Copilot, which can suggest files, settings, or applications relevant to the query. It can also provide AI-generated answers or follow-up prompts that open in the dedicated Copilot app.
For those who prefer the traditional Windows search, Microsoft has provided an option to switch back with a single click. Selecting the classic search will open the familiar Start menu search interface, although it now requires one extra step to access.
In addition to text input, the Ask Copilot box features two new icons offering instant access to Copilot Vision and voice commands. Vision allows the AI to analyze on-screen content to assist with tasks such as summarizing or identifying visual elements. Voice commands provide a hands-free way to interact with the assistant, though the feature remains limited during testing.
Alongside Copilot integration, this preview build also introduces a new audio-sharing feature. It enables two people to listen to the same audio stream through different wireless headphones connected to the same laptop. There are restrictions depending on hardware compatibility, but it represents another example of Microsoft’s attempt to make collaborative use cases more seamless.
Microsoft has been careful to address privacy concerns surrounding Ask Copilot. The company reiterated that the feature operates under the same access limitations as Windows Search. Copilot cannot read personal files, private data, or anything stored locally beyond what search could already reach. According to the company, “Ask Copilot uses existing Windows APIs to return apps, files, and settings, just like Windows Search, and does not grant Copilot access to your personal content.”
This assurance comes in response to skepticism from some users about AI tools embedded deeply within the operating system. With Copilot already positioned as a central part of Microsoft’s broader AI strategy, this step marks an incremental but important shift toward tighter integration of AI throughout Windows.
The opt-in nature of the feature shows that Microsoft is treading carefully. Its approach signals that while it wants users to experiment with AI-enhanced search, it is still testing user sentiment before making any permanent interface changes. The company’s earlier introduction of Copilot+ PCs and dedicated hardware shortcuts already hinted at this trajectory. Bringing Ask Copilot into the taskbar is the next phase in normalizing AI as a native Windows component.
At this stage, only users in the Insider Program will see Ask Copilot appear in their builds. Broader availability will depend on testing feedback and stability. Given Microsoft’s pattern with previous feature rollouts, general users could see this addition in a future cumulative update if reception remains positive.
