Upon downloading the latest update for Copilot from the Store, my initial reaction was one of disbelief. I anticipated an intriguing enhancement, only to find that the app had once again transformed into a full-fledged WebView-based application. This marks yet another chapter in Microsoft’s ongoing saga of redefining Copilot on Windows, a narrative that has become increasingly convoluted over time.
In the realm of Windows applications, a truly native app is typically defined by its core interface and logic being constructed directly on Windows frameworks such as Win32, WinUI, WPF, or UWP. Conversely, when an app predominantly relies on Microsoft Edge or Chromium for its user experience, many would argue that it cannot be classified as fully native, especially as we approach 2026.
New Copilot for Windows 11 appears to be a hybrid app, not fully native.
After installing the new Copilot update (version 146.0.3856.63) available in the Insider Program, I conducted a thorough test and concluded that it indeed operates as a web application. A glance at the Task Manager substantiates this assertion, revealing multiple sub-processes running in the background, including Renderer, GPU Process, Utility: Network Service, Crashpad, and PWA Identity Proxy Host. These components are characteristic of Microsoft Edge, a structure familiar to anyone who has expanded WhatsApp or any web app in Task Manager.
Interestingly, upon accessing the settings of the new Copilot, I discovered that the version number aligns precisely with that of Microsoft Edge. My Copilot app is identified as “Microsoft Copilot version 146.0.3856.63 (Official build) beta (64-bit),” while my Edge browser runs version 146.0.3856.59.
According to insights from Windows Latest, the revamped Copilot is not merely a return to the traditional web application model. Instead, it appears to function as a web app encapsulated within a desktop shell utilizing Edge/WebView-style components. This means that while the web experience is housed within a Windows app shell, it still loads content from copilot.microsoft.com.
Despite its web-based nature, the new Copilot exhibits performance on par with its native predecessor. In fact, it launches more swiftly than the original Copilot app, raising questions about the current state of WinUI. Microsoft seems to have invested significant effort into optimizing the web-based version of Copilot, resulting in a user experience that, while not entirely native, is still commendable for those who favor Copilot.
However, the reality remains that this iteration of Copilot is fundamentally a web app, and the proliferation of web applications on Windows is becoming increasingly problematic. From WhatsApp to Discord, many popular applications are web-based, contributing to a less-than-ideal Windows experience. Microsoft had previously announced the rollout of a “native” version of Copilot, but this was misleading, as it still relied on loading copilot.microsoft.com within a native shell, ultimately consuming more RAM than its predecessors. User dissatisfaction prompted Microsoft to enhance the app, leading to the eventual release of a truly native version.
Microsoft decided to build a native Copilot app in 2025
In 2025, following Mustafa Suleyman’s appointment as head of Copilot and Windows, Microsoft finally embraced Windows 11’s native app UI framework (WinUI) for Copilot. Windows Latest’s tests confirmed that this iteration marked the first truly native Copilot app, devoid of web components.
This genuinely native Copilot app began distribution to users in March 2025. While Microsoft later introduced some web elements, such as the ‘Pages’ or canvas, within a web shell, the core functionalities remained native, leading to minimal complaints from users.
What seemed to be a resolution has now shifted dramatically, particularly for those enrolled in the Windows Insider Program. The Copilot has reverted to its web-based format, with plans for this change to extend to non-Insiders in the upcoming weeks. Unfortunately, it appears there is no turning back from this latest development.