Microsoft Launches Copilot Vision with Highlights for Windows Users in the U.S.

Microsoft has officially released Copilot Vision with Highlights for Windows, giving U.S. users a new way to interact with their PCs through real-time visual assistance and step-by-step guidance. The update marks a major expansion in Microsoft’s goal to make Copilot a fully integrated AI companion that can understand, observe, and assist users as they navigate their daily workflows.

A Second Set of Eyes for Your Desktop

Copilot Vision allows the AI assistant to “see what you see” when you enable the feature, providing context-aware insights and help across tasks and applications. Once activated, Copilot can interpret on-screen content, answer questions about it, and offer suggestions without interrupting the user's workflow.

Whether you’re browsing the web, working in documents, or juggling multiple apps, Copilot Vision acts as a responsive guide. It can explain what you’re looking at, help you understand content, and provide recommendations in real time.

Multitasking and Context Awareness

A key feature of Copilot Vision is its ability to operate across multiple applications simultaneously. Users can share two apps at once, allowing Copilot to gain broader context and offer more relevant assistance.

For example:

• While working in a spreadsheet and a travel app, Copilot might notice missing items in your packing list based on your destination and suggest updates directly in the sheet.
  

• When editing a photo, Copilot can recommend lighting or color adjustments and show you exactly where to make changes to enhance image quality.
  

• In a gaming environment, it may offer real-time tips or explain on-screen objectives—helping players navigate unfamiliar levels or improve their performance.

The new Highlights feature expands this functionality by letting users ask, “show me how,” for specific tasks. Copilot will then point out exactly where to click and what steps to take within the app—delivering real-time, visual instruction.

How to Use Copilot Vision

To activate Copilot Vision:

• Open the Copilot app on your Windows 10 or 11 device.

• Click the glasses icon in the composer.

• Select the browser window or app you want to share.

• Ask Copilot for help with your current task.

You can end the session at any time by selecting “Stop” or pressing the “X” in the composer window. Microsoft emphasizes that this is a fully opt-in experience, with users maintaining full control over what is shared and when.

Availability and Future Plans

Copilot Vision with Highlights is now available to U.S. users on Windows 10 and 11. Microsoft says it will roll out to more non-European countries in the near future. The tool is currently part of Copilot Labs, an initiative focused on testing and refining emerging features.

Alongside Vision and Highlights, the latest Copilot update also includes support for Deep Research and file search—bringing the AI assistant closer to Microsoft’s vision of a versatile, always-available digital companion.

You can try Copilot here.

Privacy Considerations

While Copilot Vision is fully opt-in and gives users control over when and how it’s activated, some observers have raised concerns about how screen content is processed and stored. When users take a screenshot using Copilot Vision’s “Take screenshot” feature, the image is saved locally by default to the user’s Pictures\Screenshots folder, just like with the standard Snipping Tool. In some cases, temporary copies may also be stored in system folders, but these are not permanent.

Microsoft has emphasized that users are in charge of what is shared with Copilot Vision and that there is no continuous or background screenshot capture. The content is processed locally and remains private unless the user explicitly chooses to share it. As AI assistants become more integrated into personal workflows, transparency around how information is handled and stored will remain a key issue for users and regulators alike.

What This Means

With the release of Copilot Vision, Microsoft is pushing beyond simple AI chat into real-time, on-screen assistance that’s integrated directly into the operating system. The feature’s ability to understand visual context, navigate between apps, and guide users through tasks could significantly change how people interact with their PCs.

It also signals a broader shift in how major tech companies are designing AI tools—not just to respond to questions, but to proactively interpret a user’s environment and offer tailored help across tasks. As AI assistants evolve from background utilities into full-screen collaborators, the line between software and co-pilot is narrowing.

As Copilot becomes more personalized and proactive, Microsoft is positioning it not just as a productivity tool—but as a full-spectrum assistant embedded in the daily experience of Windows users.

Editor’s Note: This article was created by Alicia Shapiro, CMO of AiNews.com, with writing, image, and idea-generation support from ChatGPT, an AI assistant. However, the final perspective and editorial choices are solely Alicia Shapiro’s. Special thanks to ChatGPT for assistance with research and editorial support in crafting this article.