Microsoft has launched one of its most comprehensive AI initiatives, aiming to transform Windows 11 into an “interactive operating system.” By integrating AI agents directly into the Taskbar, the company is redesigning key components of the desktop, transforming Windows into an AI canvas from start to finish.

Windows 11 Increases AI Support

This new approach allows users to work with intelligent agents that can automatically perform tasks on their computers, access files, and run multi-step tasks in the background with a single command.

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As part of the new architecture, third-party AI agents, along with Microsoft 365 Copilot, are also being integrated into the Taskbar. Windows CEO Pavan Davuluri explains that this integration isn’t just a feature addition; it allows the agents to act as a natural part of the operating system.

These AI agents, added to the Taskbar, start running in the background when the user makes a request. When the user hovers over the icon, the agent’s current activity can be seen.

The new notification system conveys the status of the process with visual cues such as a green checkmark or a yellow warning icon. Microsoft offers all of these features optionally; users can disable the feature entirely if they wish.

At the heart of this integration is the new Ask Copilot experience, which integrates Windows search with Copilot. Users can now quickly search for files and settings, start a chat, or assign an AI agent directly from the Taskbar. A lightweight, floating window structure is preferred over a full-screen view for controlling background tasks.

Microsoft is creating a separate workspace called Agent Workspace to allow agents to run securely and isolated. This space provides a policy-controlled and recordable environment where each agent runs with its own Windows account.

Agent capabilities are further enhanced by the Model Context Protocol (MCP), embedded in the operating system kernel. MCP allows agents to securely discover system tools; this protocol, developed by Anthropic and widely adopted, is widely known.

The innovations aren’t limited to the Taskbar. The company is also integrating Copilot into File Explorer. This allows users to summarize documents with a single click, ask questions about files, or draft emails from the content.

Click to Do, which uses the native models on Copilot Plus PCs, allows you to convert any spreadsheet viewed on the web or on your computer into an Excel file. Once this data is imported into Excel, it can be edited using the cloud-based capabilities of Copilot. Microsoft sees a hybrid architecture that integrates native and cloud-based models as the future of Windows.