Report: Microsoft Plans to Bring AI-Powered Copilot Assistant to Windows 10

Windows 10

Key Takeaways:

  • Microsoft is reportedly planning to integrate its new Copilot AI assistant into Windows 10, featuring a dedicated taskbar button and a sidebar experience.
  • Microsoft sees bringing Copilot to a broader audience as a strategic move, given the over 1 billion monthly active devices running Windows 10.
  • Microsoft could also incorporate select features and services (previously exclusive to Windows 11) into the older Windows 10 operating system.

Microsoft is reportedly planning to bring its new Copilot AI assistant to Windows 10. According to a new report from Windows Central’s Zac Bowden, an upcoming Windows 10 update is expected to introduce the Copilot button to the taskbar, accompanied by a sidebar experience.

Windows 10 currently holds a significant market share with around 1 billion monthly active devices. According to internal Microsoft data, over 400 million monthly active devices now run Windows 11, and the number is expected to hit the 500 million milestone in early 2024.

In terms of usage, the adoption rate of Windows 11 is slower as compared to the nearly eight-year-old Windows 10 operating system. There is still a long way to go before it becomes the most popular version of Windows. Microsoft sees the extensive Windows 10 user base as a big opportunity to bring Windows Copilot to more customers.

“Microsoft has been putting its Copilot in front of every user it can, but there’s still a large chunk of PC users on the older Windows 10 OS which hasn’t seen any of Microsoft’s recent AI additions,” Bowden wrote. “Microsoft views that additional 1 billion users as an untapped market for Copilot expansion, and so adding Copilot to Windows 10 is an obvious next step for the company.”

Report: Microsoft Plans to Bring AI-Powered Copilot Assistant to Windows 10
Windows Copilot

Microsoft considers prolonging Windows 10 support beyond 2025

According to the report, the Windows 10 Copilot experience should be the same as the one in Windows 11, with a dedicated taskbar button and a sidebar. Microsoft has already announced that it would add third-party plugin support for Copilot, aiming to encourage developers to cater to a broader audience of Windows users.

Lastly, Microsoft reportedly plans to add select new features and services, previously exclusive to Windows 11, to the older Windows 10 operating system. The company is also having internal discussions about extending the end-of-support date for Windows 10, which is currently slated for October 2025.