Windows 10: Windows Copilot is still dumb like a rock

GHacks · Nov 4, 2023

Microsoft launched Windows Copilot with some fanfare alongside the Windows 11 2023 Update. Microsoft promised that the baked-in artificial intelligence would assist Windows users "in work, creation and play". Copilot is "designed to accelerate your tasks, reduce friction and save you time" according to Microsoft's announcement on the Windows Experience Blog.

One of Microsoft's promises was that Copilot would help users run tasks on Windows. Without that, Copilot would just be Bing Chat added as a sidebar to Windows.

Microsoft describes this functionality in the following way: "Whether you need help with summarizing a web page, composing an email to your daughter’s new teacher, changing your settings to dark mode or generating an image for that unique idea in your head, Copilot in Windows can assist you. Need to enable Bluetooth or connect a new pair of headphones? Copilot can help. Not sure of the best way to capture a screenshot? Ask Copilot to do it for you. Copilot in Windows can change the way you use your PC and inspire you to try new things that you may not have thought of before. It is where productivity and creativity meet."

Windows Copilot

First problem that users may run into is that there is no command reference. Microsoft listed some commands in the blog post, but no one knows what Windows Copilot can do and can't do on Windows specifically.

It is a trial and error approach. Asking Copilot to launch Notepad, for instance, results in an "I'm sorry" message. Copilot claims that it is a chat mode of Microsoft Bing and not an assistant. This alone is puzzling, as Microsoft described Windows Copilot on the blog as "the intelligent assistant at your fingertips".

Copilot needs time to process the user request, and it does so remotely on Microsoft servers. What is returned after seconds is a list of instructions on how to open Notepad on the system.

While these are useful, typing notepad in Start would have launched the text editor right away. Even things that Copilot is supposed to do, like enabling dark mode, is not really something that the AI assistant does without flaws, or at all.

The simple "enable dark mode" request is met with a huge wall of text that explains how to enable Dark Mode on Windows. Copilot, however, doesn't enable dark mode automatically on the user's request.

It gets better. While trying to find the right command to get Copilot to switch to dark mode or at least display a button that does that, it suddenly suggested to enable Do Not Disturb on the system.

No matter the instruction, Windows Copilot always replied with a "can't do, I'm not an assistant" type of message.

Interestingly enough, when asked to turn on Do not disturb mode, Copilot did display a button to turn on the feature. It still took seconds before the request was processed on Microsoft servers.

My initial assessment of Windows Copilot was that there was not enough Windows in it to justify its integration in the operating system. Microsoft's main interest seems to be to push it to as many users as possible. One reason for that is advertising, which Windows users who interact with Copilot may see for some interactions already.

Closing Words

Windows Copilot is not a useful tool to manage Windows or get actionable help. It supports only a few commands and these commands aren't listed anywhere publicly. Heck, even Copilot refuses to return the full list of commands. Could be that the list is so small that Microsoft is embarrassed to reveal it.

Copilot could have been more. Assist users when it comes to Windows. Help users with troubleshooting tasks, run commands for users or at least point users in the right direction. Why can't Copilot open Settings page when users ask to make a change to them?

For now, Copilot is nothing more than what Bing Chat offers. There is virtually no reason for its integration in Windows from a user's point of view. It is a lucrative integration for Microsoft, on the other hand. It pushes usage and also advertisement.

Now You: what is your take on Windows Copilot?

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Brink · Nov 4, 2023

Microsoft 365 Copilot is coming to OneNote

We are thrilled to announce that the Microsoft 365 Copilot is coming to OneNote. This powerful tool combines the power of large language models (LLMs) with your data from the Microsoft Graph—notes, calendars, emails, chats, documents, meetings, and more—and the Microsoft 365 apps to turn your words into a powerful productivity tool. All of this is done within our existing commitments to data security and privacy in the enterprise. We know that too much time is spent on the mundane tasks of work and not enough time is spent on the work that brings us joy and ignites our creativity. That's why Copilot is being integrated directly into OneNote. It works with you, embedded in the other Microsoft 365 apps you use daily to help you unlock productivity, unleash creativity, and uplevel your skills.

An animated image demonstrating how to use Copilot to make a to-do list in OneNote. Copilot in OneNote Your digital notebook reimagined with Copilot. Copilot in OneNote helps you create, capture, organize, and recall information with confidence. As your notetaking partner, Copilot uses your prompts to draft plans, generate ideas, create lists, organize information, and more. Copilot can transform existing text by summarizing, rewriting, formatting, and adding visual context. Uplevel your digital notebook with natural language commands to reorganize your notebook, adjust formatting, and highlight what's important. Here are some example commands and prompts you can try:

Create a plan for my daughter’s high school graduation party.

Summarize notes into bullet points on a new page.

Generate a list of topics and talking points to be covered in an annual investor update meeting.

Plan a spring trip to Paris for me, my partner, and my two teenage children.

I'm starting a wholesale coffee bean and roasting company. Give me 10 suggestions for a company name and vision statement.

Building responsibly Microsoft 365 Copilot is designed for the needs of the enterprise. Our efforts are guided by our AI principles and Responsible AI Standard and build on decades of research on grounding and privacy-preserving machine learning. Microsoft’s work on AI is reviewed for potential harms and mitigations by a multidisciplinary team of researchers, engineers, and policy experts. We use the Azure Content Moderation Stack across our services to monitor and filter harmful content. Technologies like InterpretML and Fairlearn help to detect and correct data bias. The Copilot System builds on our existing commitments to data security and privacy in the enterprise. Copilot automatically inherits your organization’s security, compliance, and privacy policies for Microsoft 365. Data is managed in line with our current commitments. Copilot large language models are not trained on your tenant data. Finally, we have worked to design an experience that prioritizes human agency and puts the user in control. This includes noting limitations, providing links to sources, and prompting users to review, fact-check, and fine-tune content based on their own knowledge and judgment. Read about Microsoft 365 Copilot on our Official Microsoft Blog.
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Source: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/...t/ba-p/3788442

Baz2126---01 · Nov 4, 2023

Lumia 620 and Copilot

Hi, I have tried 3 times to install Copilot on my Lumia 620 but each time the software fails to get a GPS signal. All other applications (like all the Here+ apps and Google Maps etc) get a signal without a problem.

Copilot supports say (and I quote) "There is no physical way copilot can affect your device. You might need to see the nearest vendor to check up the GPS. "

Has anyone else experienced this problem? Any suggestions welcome, I have been using Copilot for 8 years on an iPaq 6900 but would like to move to the Lumia.

Regards

Barry

_AW_ · Nov 4, 2023

Trouble with windows copilot

Try opening Copilot then open Event Viewer and see if anything relevant is logged in the Application log. I doubt there is, as the procmon trace isn't revealing anything problematic. There's no sign of crash data being written.

I'm not sure what else to suggest other than routine things like running the system file checker:

Using System File Checker in Windows - Microsoft Support

or running a repair installation.

Windows 10: Windows Copilot is still dumb like a rock

Windows Copilot is still dumb like a rock

Windows Copilot is still dumb like a rock

Windows Copilot is still dumb like a rock

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