As Windows 10 gradually fades into the background, many users, like myself, find themselves holding onto their trusty devices a little longer. Despite the allure of newer technology, I remain committed to my non-upgradeable Windows 10 laptop, using it alongside my more modern Windows 11 PC. This brings me to a pressing question: what am I missing out on with Microsoft’s Copilot AI?
Understanding the Copilot Experience
Microsoft promotes Copilot as a versatile AI assistant that spans multiple platforms. However, the experience diverges significantly between Windows 11 and Windows 10. This disparity is not merely aesthetic; it fundamentally alters what Copilot can accomplish.
On Windows 11, Copilot is seamlessly integrated at the system level, allowing it to interact with various Windows components managed through cloud services. In contrast, Windows 10 users find Copilot confined to browser-based interfaces, such as the Edge sidebar and the Copilot web app. This architectural difference dictates whether Copilot can engage with local system functionalities or remains limited to offering guidance without direct interaction.
| Copilot Task or Use Case | Windows 11 PCs | Windows 10 PCs |
|---|---|---|
| Open specific Windows Settings pages by request (e.g., Bluetooth, Display, Windows Update) | Copilot can open the relevant Settings page directly | Copilot can only provide written instructions |
| Toggle selected system settings (dark mode, Bluetooth, focus/notification modes) | Copilot can initiate or perform supported system toggles | Copilot cannot change system settings |
| Launch built-in Windows applications (Settings, Calculator, Notepad) | Copilot can launch apps via the Windows shell | Copilot cannot launch local applications |
| Guide users through system configuration with UI handoff | Copilot can explain steps and open the relevant system UI | Copilot can explain steps only, with no UI navigation |
| Persist as an OS-level assistant across apps and system surfaces | Copilot runs as a shell-integrated assistant independent of the browser | Copilot runs only in browser-based or web app surfaces |
| Reason about Windows UI structure and system features | Copilot has bounded awareness of Windows settings and features | Copilot has no awareness of the local operating system |
| Act as an entry point into centrally managed Windows configuration | Copilot can route users into locally enforced, cloud-managed settings | Copilot cannot interact with managed OS configuration |
When it comes to chatting with Copilot for general inquiries or explanations, both Windows 11 and Windows 10 provide similar capabilities. However, the true distinction arises when these explanations are tied to the local system. On Windows 11, Copilot can contextualize its responses within the operating system, linking them to specific features and settings. Conversely, on Windows 10, the lack of system awareness means that explanations remain abstract, lacking the connection to the device itself.
The Limitations of Copilot on Windows 10
Windows 11 boasts a first-party Copilot interface integrated into the taskbar, while Windows 10 users miss out on this system-level experience. Instead, Copilot operates entirely outside the operating system context on Windows 10, with no access to system APIs or the ability to initiate actions within the OS. This limitation defines the scope of what Copilot cannot do on Windows 10.
For instance, while Windows 11 users can directly open specific Settings pages through natural language prompts, Windows 10 users receive only step-by-step instructions without the ability to execute actions. Similarly, toggling system features, launching built-in applications, and guiding users through workflows are capabilities reserved for Windows 11.
Despite these limitations, it’s essential to note that even on Windows 11, Copilot does not possess unrestricted access. It cannot automate arbitrary applications, browse the file system freely, or replace administrative tools like PowerShell.
For organizations utilizing cloud-based management services, the operational implications of these differences are significant. Windows 11 enables Copilot to facilitate direct interactions with system configurations governed by cloud policies, while Windows 10 remains limited to browser-based assistance that can only describe actions rather than execute them.
This distinction underscores Microsoft’s strategic vision: Windows 11 is the platform where Copilot is embedded within the operating system, whereas Windows 10 offers access solely as a web-based AI service.
