How to Use Copilot on Windows 11: Complete Beginner Guide (2026)
Microsoft Copilot is the AI assistant built into Windows 11. It is free, based on GPT-4, and can help with system tasks, writing, document summarization and much more. Here’s how to make the most of it.
How to Enable and Open Copilot on Windows 11
Three ways to open Copilot:
- Press Win + C
- Click the Copilot icon in the taskbar (if visible)
- Search for Copilot in the Start menu
If you don’t see the taskbar icon: right-click taskbar → Taskbar settings → enable Copilot.
What Can Copilot Do on Windows 11?
System Control
You can ask it things like:
- Switch to dark mode
- Turn on Do Not Disturb
- Open Bluetooth settings
- Take a screenshot
- Set volume to 50%
Writing and Summarizing
Paste a long text and ask it to summarize it, rewrite it in formal or informal tone, translate it or generate an outline. Works great with emails, reports and articles.
Questions and Search
Copilot has real-time internet access (via Bing) and can answer questions with current information, unlike free ChatGPT which has a knowledge cutoff.
Image Generation
Copilot includes Microsoft’s AI image generator (based on DALL-E 3). Write a description and it generates an image. Completely free with your Microsoft account.
Copilot vs ChatGPT: Key Differences
| Feature | Copilot (Windows) | Free ChatGPT |
|---|---|---|
| Windows integration | Yes (system control) | No |
| Internet access | Yes (Bing) | Limited |
| Image generation | Yes (DALL-E 3, free) | No (free plan) |
| Price | Free | Free (with limits) |
| Response quality | GPT-4 | GPT-4o |
Is Copilot on Windows 11 free?
Yes, basic Copilot on Windows 11 is completely free. You just need a Microsoft account (which you probably already have). There is a paid Copilot Pro plan ($20/month) that adds priority access and more image credits, but the free version is more than enough for normal use.
Can Copilot control my computer?
Yes, but in a limited and safe way. It can change system settings like dark mode, volume, Bluetooth or airplane mode. It cannot access your files or run programs without your explicit permission.
What is the difference between Copilot in Windows and Copilot in Microsoft 365?
Copilot in Windows 11 is the general-purpose assistant. Copilot in Microsoft 365 (paid, ~$30/user/month for businesses) is integrated directly into Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams to generate documents, summarize meetings and analyze data.
Conclusion
Copilot on Windows 11 is a very useful and completely free tool that many users ignore. For quick system control, writing, text summarization and free image generation, it is an excellent option. Open it with Win+C and you are ready to go.
