Microsoft is bringing Copilot to the Windows 11 taskbar and file explorer. The update turns the plain old search box into something that actually understands how you ask questions. Type “When is my performance review due?” a. and the system retrieves the response from your calendar, email and local files. No more digging through folders.
The taskbar becomes a kind of mission control for the AI. The search field now connects your local PC with your Microsoft 365 data. It knows who you work with and which documents affect you most.
The taskbar is now a command center for AI agents
Click the @ symbol in the taskbar search and you’ll get a menu of AI agents running in the background. This isn’t the kind that disappears into browser tabs. They’re located in your taskbar so you can track their progress while you do other tasks. A research agent could spend 10 minutes comparing public opinion with internal design guides. You will see the status on the taskbar icon like a download bar. A green checkmark means it’s done. Hover for a summary. Click here to view the full report with sources.
Voice works too. Hold down the Copilot key or press Windows key + C. Say “Find the file shared by Robin” and it will check your emails and meetings to find out which Robin you mean.
File Explorer gets Copilot Control for instant insights into documents
File Explorer now displays your SharePoint and OneDrive files right next to local files. Current documents, shared content, favorites, all in one view. But the copilot controls are the real trick. You can ask questions about a file without opening it.
Need a statistic buried deep in a design document? Ask about it. Copilot says something like “Over 70% of employees prefer sustainable materials” and immediately shows you the context. You never leave the File Explorer window.
On Android, Google does something similar with its Files app. Gemini now includes the ability to automatically analyze PDFs as they are opened, allowing you to ask questions about a document without having to import it into a separate AI tool.
What this means for your workflow
The updates are now being rolled out. Which one you get depends on your hardware. Standard Windows 11 machines take care of the cloud tasks. Copilot+ PCs with NPUs unlock offline tools like Fluid Dictation and Click to Do.
Conclusion? You search less and find more. The taskbar acts like a colleague that remembers where everything is. File Explorer becomes a window to your documents and not just a list of folders. Be on the lookout for the Copilot icons in the coming weeks.
