What insiders just found
Windows 11 preview builds show a hidden button in File Explorer’s command bar that only appears when you hover near the navigation area. It’s inactive, but strings such as “Chat with Copilot” and “Detach Copilot” suggest a deeper, built-in integration is being prototyped.
A sidebar, not a pop-up
If it ships, Copilot could open as an Explorer sidebar, letting you ask about the file or folder you’re viewing—summarize a document, suggest photo tweaks, or automate a quick task—without switching to a separate window. Nothing is confirmed, and the feature could still be pulled.
How it differs from today’s “AI actions”
File Explorer already exposes Copilot via right-click “AI actions,” offering shortcuts on selected files. A dedicated button would be more prominent and keep AI one click away while browsing, closer to a “chat in context” workflow.
Accessibility push: Narrator gets smarter
In the same Insider update wave, Narrator can invoke Copilot to generate detailed descriptions of images, charts, and graphs (focused item or full screen). Microsoft says the image is shared only after the user triggers the command.
Enterprise control: uninstall, with strings attached
Admins are gaining a Group Policy (“RemoveMicrosoftCopilotApp”) to uninstall the Copilot app on managed Windows 11 Pro/Enterprise/EDU devices, but only under strict prerequisites—such as Microsoft 365 Copilot being present, and (in testing) the app not being launched recently.
What to watch next
These changes surfaced in Insider Build 26220.7535, where the Explorer button remains hidden and nonfunctional. If Microsoft proceeds, expect a staged rollout and settings that let users (and orgs) dial the integration back.
