Microsoft Tests Voice Access for Copilot in Windows 11

Introduction to Voice-Activated Copilot

Microsoft has initiated testing for an innovative feature in Windows 11 that enables users to engage with the Copilot AI assistant through voice commands. This development allows beta testers to interact with Copilot by simply uttering the phrase “Hey Copilot!” to their computers. This marks the introduction of a voice activation command, similar to those found in Siri, Google Assistant, Alexa, and Microsoft’s previous voice assistant, Cortana.

Enhanced Copilot Voice Experience

The implementation of the voice command feature comes as part of the newly enhanced “Copilot Voice” experience, which emphasizes a more natural and conversational interaction. Testing Phase and Availability Presently, the “Hey Copilot!” feature is exclusive to beta testers within the Windows Insider programme. To access this functionality, users must manually enable it. Microsoft has noted that the update will be gradually rolled out and may not be immediately available to all testers. To verify its activation, users should ensure their Copilot app version is 1.25051.10.0 or higher.

Privacy Considerations

Upon activation, the feature displays a floating interface with Copilot’s microphone icon at the screen’s bottom, along with an audio notification to indicate the app is listening. Microsoft has underscored that this feature prioritizes privacy. Copilot is triggered only when the designated wake-up word is detected locally. The system operates with a 10-second audio buffer, ensuring that these audio snippets are neither transmitted to the cloud nor stored locally.