Copilot now sees your entire desktop: Windows 11 unlocks new AI context for every app and window

A new update transforms Copilot on Windows 11, allowing the assistant to analyze everything on your screen in real time and offer smarter help based on full desktop context.

The arrival of “Vision Desktop Share” marks a new phase for Copilot, Microsoft’s AI assistant on Windows 11. Until now, the tool could only interact with a single window at a time, which limited its ability to provide suggestions, explain error messages, or automate workflows when multiple apps or complex layouts were involved. With this update, users can allow Copilot to access the entire visible desktop, creating opportunities for smarter assistance and more natural support.

Copilot can read and understand every element on your screen as you work.

With the new glasses icon in the sidebar, users can grant Copilot one-time access to the whole desktop for advanced context awareness.

Once enabled, Copilot processes all visual information on your screen in real time. The assistant can now explain an error message that pops up in a system tray, summarize the contents of an open PDF, identify data across multiple spreadsheets, or even analyze what’s happening in a paused video or game. Instead of manually taking screenshots or switching between different windows, users can simply describe what they need, and Copilot will interpret and respond to whatever is visible—combining data from various apps for more powerful and context-sensitive help.

The feature launches first on Copilot+ PCs and is rolling out to all Windows 11 Insider users.

Any PC running the latest Windows 11 build can receive the update, though on-device AI is currently exclusive to Snapdragon X models.

The rollout is happening via a Microsoft Store update to the Copilot app. Copilot+ PCs with the Snapdragon X processor process all vision requests locally, delivering low-latency performance and extra privacy, while Intel and AMD PCs use cloud-based processing for now. Support for fully local analysis on more devices is promised soon. This ensures that a wide range of users—from developers to office workers—can immediately benefit from smarter AI support on their desktops.

The screen capture system connects to the Desktop Window Manager, streaming frames at up to 30 fps, scaled to 720p for efficient analysis. Frames are processed using a ViT-based transformer quantized to INT8 on Snapdragon X NPUs for local inference, with <10 ms latency. On Intel/AMD, frames are AES-encrypted and sent securely to Azure for cloud analysis, and data is deleted from RAM after response.

Sensitive content—like password fields and DRM video—is masked before processing, and only the last few frames are kept in a RAM buffer. No screenshots are saved or written to disk.

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How to enable (and disable) Vision Desktop Share

1. Update Copilot from Microsoft Store

   • Open Microsoft Store, search for “Microsoft Copilot,” and make sure you’re on version 1.25071.125 or later.

2. Confirm you’re on Windows 11 Insider

   • Settings ▶ Windows Update ▶ Windows Insider Program.

   • Any channel (Canary, Dev, Beta, or Release Preview) with build 22631+ is fine.

3. Open Copilot

   • Press ⊞ Win + C or click the Copilot button on the taskbar.

4. Click the glasses icon 👓

   • It appears in Copilot’s sidebar.

   • A panel pops up: choose Entire desktop (or a single window if you prefer) and confirm.

5. Ask Copilot for help

   • Copilot now “sees” everything on screen; you can say, “Explain this error” or “Summarize the open PDF.”

6. Stop sharing at any time

   • Click X on the small floating toolbar or close the Copilot panel.

   • All captured frames are wiped from RAM immediately; no screenshots are saved.

7. Turn the feature off permanently (optional)

   • Settings ▶ Privacy & security ▶ Copilot Vision ▶ Toggle off.

   • In organizations, admins can block it via Group Policy with the key DisableCopilotVisionDesktopShare = 1.

     
     

NOTE...

• Regional availability: The feature may currently only be available in the United States, though Windows is testing a broader rollout in other regions; if your account or Store is not set to the US, the glasses icon might not appear.

• Minimum version and platforms: Copilot Vision requires at least version 1.25061.104.0 and can be accessed from both the desktop app and the Copilot icon in Microsoft Edge.

• Activation process: After clicking the glasses icon, you must select either a window or the full desktop and toggle the “Share” switch; Copilot cannot see your screen until sharing is enabled.

• Deactivation and limits: The “Highlights” toggle in settings only disables visual tips, not the full Vision feature; complete blocking requires uninstalling the app. After several free uses, the app may ask you to upgrade to Copilot Pro to continue.

• Mobile: On iOS and Android, Vision is available but already requires a Copilot Pro subscription.

FUNCTIONS

An important function is the ability to interpret and explain error messages or pop-up dialogs as they appear on the user’s screen. When a confusing system notification or error code pops up, Copilot Vision can immediately read and analyze its contents, then present a plain-language explanation or suggested troubleshooting steps within the Copilot chat panel. This capability reduces the stress of technical issues by instantly translating cryptic system feedback into actionable advice.

And... When images are present on the desktop—whether open in a browser, an app, or embedded in documents—Copilot Vision can perform object recognition, identifying key items such as clothing, landmarks, or everyday objects. For instance, if a photo of a red jacket is visible, Copilot can describe it and even provide additional information such as style suggestions or potential places to purchase similar items, offering a layer of visual intelligence that extends well beyond simple text analysis.

Vision also includes robust text extraction and read-aloud features. Any text that appears on the screen, whether in an image, a PDF, or a standard application, can be transcribed into the Copilot chat pane and read aloud for accessibility or convenience. While the current version does not allow copying extracted text directly to the clipboard, it makes it easy to access and use text from virtually any on-screen source, supporting a range of workflows and user needs.

Another key functionality is content rewriting and editing, where Copilot can suggest alternative or expanded versions of selected on-screen text. If the user highlights a note, a paragraph, or a sentence, Copilot can offer ways to rephrase or lengthen the content directly in the chat interface, helping with writing tasks, brainstorming, or editing—all without needing to switch apps or manually type suggestions.

The tool’s multi-window awareness is particularly powerful: Copilot can simultaneously monitor and understand multiple open windows or apps, using full-desktop vision to provide more integrated and comprehensive assistance. Instead of requiring the user to take screenshots or describe their workspace, Copilot uses the entire desktop context, recognizing when information from different sources or apps is relevant to the user’s query.

To manage usage, there is also a usage meter built into Copilot Vision. After several Vision-powered queries in a single session, free users are prompted to upgrade to Copilot Pro if they wish to continue using the feature. This system ensures that heavy users contribute to the service’s sustainability, while still allowing casual users to benefit from its core functions without immediate payment.

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As we said... Microsoft is introducing strict privacy protections and new controls for users and organizations.

No screenshots or visual data are stored; everything is processed in memory and discarded instantly, with security measures mirroring Microsoft’s recent privacy improvements.

The new desktop sharing mode is built with privacy as a top priority. The visual data Copilot processes never leaves your machine unless explicitly required, and sensitive fields—such as passwords or DRM-protected content—are automatically blocked from analysis. Users can disable the feature at any time, and IT administrators have the ability to turn it off for all company devices with a single policy setting. These guarantees are designed to answer concerns raised by previous feedback and offer peace of mind for both home and business users.

Admins can control the feature through Group Policy or Intune, set vision to only the foreground app, or require hardware confirmation. All actions are logged for audit. Upcoming features include voice-activated sharing and browser tab–only vision to limit exposure further.

Roadmap signals point to even deeper integration and smarter workflows coming soon.

Hints in the latest builds reference voice-first desktop sharing and browser-only vision, indicating that even more advanced and flexible AI features are in the pipeline.

Microsoft’s internal documentation and feedback channels suggest that voice-triggered desktop analysis is under development, as well as options to limit Copilot’s vision to just the active browser tab. The company is gathering input from Insider users now, with a broader rollout expected in the coming months as part of the next Windows 11 update. As AI continues to evolve on the desktop, these new features may reshape the way users interact with their devices and unlock a new level of productivity and support in daily work.

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