Microsoft enhances Copilot’s capabilities for better control over Windows and file management.

At the recent Windows and Surface event, Microsoft unveiled an enhanced version of its Copilot AI system, which will now have the capability to access local files on your PC and perform actions throughout the operating system. This initiative is part of what Microsoft refers to as “Hybrid Intelligence,” where applications and tools leverage a combination of local and cloud-based AI models to execute tasks more effectively.

To demonstrate the functionality of Hybrid Intelligence, Jacob Andreou, Microsoft’s EVP of Copilot, presented a video showcasing how the Autopilot tool can assist with tax filing. In the demo, Andreou instructed the AI agent about an email he received from his accountant, prompting Autopilot to gather the necessary documents. The tool utilized Hybrid Intelligence to search through various folders, rename files, compress them into a zip folder, and draft an email to send to the accountant with the zip file attached.

Features driven by Hybrid Intelligence are expected to roll out to Copilot in the coming months, according to Andreou. Additionally, Microsoft introduced a revamped Windows search experience that allows users to perform quick actions directly from the search bar, such as enabling dark mode, adjusting microphone volume with an inline slider, or sending a text. This new functionality will be available on Windows 11 PCs starting this fall, as noted by Pavan Davuluri, head of Windows and Surface.