Windows 11 just gained another Copilot button, because apparently the ones in Paint, Notepad, the taskbar, your keyboard, and some PC front panels weren’t enough. This newest addition appears when you hover over open apps in your taskbar, letting you instantly share window contents with Copilot Vision.

The feature targets those moments when you want quick context about what’s on your screen. Curious about players celebrating in a sports photo? Want details about a sculpture you photographed? The “Share with Copilot” button that pops up in window previews sends that content to Microsoft’s AI for analysis and discussion.

Microsoft describes this as “trying out this taskbar capability,” suggesting it might disappear before reaching regular Windows users.

How the Taskbar Copilot Button Works

The new button appears in the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview when mousing over taskbar applications. Instead of manually describing what you’re looking at, you can share the entire window contents directly with Copilot Vision.

Key capabilities:

• Analyzes any open window content when shared
• Provides context and background information about images or text
• Offers tutorials related to what’s displayed
• Enables follow-up conversations about the shared content

The system scans your screen content and lets you discuss findings with Microsoft’s AI chatbot, creating a more interactive way to get information about what you’re viewing.

Context for Microsoft’s Copilot Strategy

This taskbar addition joins an expanding collection of Copilot integration points across Windows 11:

Existing Copilot buttons:

• Microsoft Paint integration
• Notepad AI features
• Dedicated taskbar Copilot button
• Physical keyboard Copilot keys
• Front-panel buttons on some PC hardware

The proliferation suggests Microsoft views AI assistance as fundamental to the Windows experience rather than an optional add-on feature.

Additional AI Features in the Same Preview

The same Windows 11 Insider Preview includes another Copilot feature that translates on-screen text in real-time. This translation capability offers more practical daily utility compared to the experimental taskbar sharing button.

Microsoft’s approach of bundling multiple AI experiments in preview builds allows testing different interaction methods before committing to shipping specific features.

Will This Feature Survive to Release?

Microsoft’s description of “trying out this taskbar capability” indicates uncertainty about the feature’s future. Given user feedback about Copilot button proliferation, the experimental nature makes sense.

The company can gauge user response and usage patterns during the Insider Preview period before deciding whether to include it in stable Windows 11 releases.

Previous Windows features have been removed during preview testing when they failed to demonstrate clear user value or created interface clutter.

The taskbar Copilot button represents Microsoft’s continued exploration of AI integration points, though its survival depends on user adoption and feedback during the preview period.