Microsoft has unveiled yet another iteration of its Copilot application for Windows 11, marking the fourth redesign since its initial launch. This latest version, now available through the Microsoft Store, is touted as a more “native” experience compared to its predecessors. Microsoft officials confirmed the rollout to a broader audience, moving beyond the Windows Insiders who had access to earlier versions.
Users can easily check for updates in the Microsoft Store to access the new native Copilot app. Unlike previous versions, which operated as Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), this release is designed to integrate more seamlessly with the Windows environment. Microsoft highlighted this shift in a blog post, stating, “With this update, the previous Copilot progressive web app (PWA) is replaced with a native version.” Upon installation, users will notice the app’s presence in the system tray, a feature that enhances its accessibility.
The Nature of ‘Native’
While the new Copilot is indeed branded as more “native,” it still relies heavily on web-based components, loading its interface through a Microsoft Edge-based WebView. This means that, despite the improved integration with Windows 11, the underlying functionality remains web-driven. In practical terms, this translates to a performance trade-off; the new Copilot app reportedly consumes significantly more RAM than its PWA predecessors, with usage averaging between 500MB to 600MB and occasionally spiking to 1.5GB.
This increased resource consumption stems from the incorporation of a dedicated WebView2, which essentially runs a version of Microsoft Edge within the Copilot framework. Although the app features a more traditional Windows appearance—complete with a title bar and a distinct icon—the reliance on Edge for core functionalities persists. Users may still encounter Edge-related prompts, indicating that the app’s web-centric nature remains intact.
In addition to its system tray integration, the new Copilot allows users to summon it using the Alt + Space keyboard shortcut, presenting a mini window similar to that of ChatGPT. However, this functionality is also rooted in Microsoft Edge’s picture-in-picture mode, further illustrating the interconnectedness of these technologies.
Over the past six months, Copilot has undergone a series of transformations. Initially introduced with a rudimentary sidebar, it evolved into a web app that mirrored the design of Bing.com/chat. Subsequent iterations aimed to enhance performance and user experience, yet many users found the interface reminiscent of ChatGPT. The latest redesign, spearheaded by Mustafa Suleyman, has replaced the previous PWA with this new native version, yet the overall user experience remains inconsistent.
As Microsoft continues to refine Copilot, questions linger regarding the company’s interpretation of what constitutes a “native” application. The gap between Microsoft’s vision and user expectations raises important considerations about the future direction of Copilot and its alignment with the capabilities of competing platforms like ChatGPT on macOS.
