Microsoft has announced that it will roll out the Copilot AI-powered assistant to Windows 10 systems enrolled in the Insider Program over the coming months. Copilot is a new feature that allows users to interact with their devices using natural language and voice commands. Copilot can help users with tasks such as finding files, launching apps, setting reminders, getting answers, and more.
Copilot in Windows was first introduced in September 2023, initially available with Windows 11 22H2, the second half of the year update for the latest version of Windows. Copilot is now enabled by default automatically on Windows 11 23H2 devices, which are expected to be released in late 2023 or early 2024.
Customers who want to test Copilot on Windows 10 22H2 devices will soon be able to enroll in the Windows Insider Program for Business Release Preview Channel. This channel is designed for commercial customers who want to preview and validate upcoming Windows 10 feature updates before they are generally available. By joining this channel, customers can provide feedback and help improve the quality and compatibility of Copilot in Windows 10.
Copilot will gradually roll out to systems running Home and unmanaged Pro editions of Windows 10 22H2 via a controlled feature rollout over several months. A controlled feature rollout is a method that Microsoft uses to test new features with a subset of users before making them widely available. Users with eligible Windows 10 22H2 devices who want to be part of early Copilot testing can opt-in by navigating to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, activating the newly added “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” toggle, and checking for updates after installing the November 2023 non-security preview update. This update is also known as the “C” release and is usually released in the third or fourth week of each month.
Microsoft has clarified that the Windows 10 end of support date of October 14, 2025, is unchanged, and that Copilot in Windows is currently available as a preview. The company has also stated that it will continue to experiment with new ideas and methods using user feedback. Users can share their feedback on Copilot in Windows by using the Feedback Hub app or by clicking the feedback button in the Copilot chat window.
Once added to a Windows 10 system, users can launch Copilot by clicking the Copilot icon at the end of the taskbar to open a chat window docked on the desktop where they can type in their queries. Just like the Windows 11 version, Copilot in Windows 10 will also support voice interactions, which can be activated by clicking the microphone icon in the chat window. Users can also use the keyboard shortcut Windows key + C to invoke Copilot.
While similar to the Windows 11 experience, not all Copilot functionality will be available in Windows 10. For instance, users will not be able to open apps or customize preferences using Copilot in Windows 10. These features are exclusive to Windows 11, which has a redesigned user interface and a new app store.
Copilot in Windows 10 will be available in specific global markets. North America and parts of Asia and South America are the initial markets for the Copilot in Windows previews, and further markets will be added gradually. Users can check the availability of Copilot in Windows 10 in their region by visiting the Copilot in Windows support page.
Additionally, the company has specified that systems running Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions of Windows 10 that are managed by organizations will not be part of the Copilot rollout. These editions are typically used by businesses, schools, and government agencies that have IT admins who control the deployment and configuration of Windows updates and features. IT admins can prepare for Copilot on Windows 10 using the guidance on the “Manage Copilot in Windows” support page.