After Copilot Vision was introduced in Microsoft Edge, it’s kind of weird but the hype about it coming directly to Windows OS is real. It promises some handy new ways to get things done, especially if you’re into AI-powered tools. But honestly, getting it to work smoothly isn’t just a matter of flipping a switch — you sometimes gotta do some updating, some toggling, or even a little troubleshooting. So if you’re curious or already frustrated because it’s not showing up, this guide might help you get past the initial hurdles and actually start using it.
Requirements for Using Copilot Vision
First off, there are a couple of things to double-check. It’s not gonna work on just any Windows setup. Usually, it needs:
- Windows 10 or Windows 11 build 24H2 or newer — basically, make sure your OS is updated to the latest big patch.
- A Windows license registered to the U. S.region — because of course, some features default to specific regions, and others are restricted if you’re somewhere else for now.
And yeah, that second bit might loosen up in the future since official announcements hint that Vision might go broader, including non-European countries. Honestly, it’d be nice if regional restrictions went away, but for now, this is what you need. Also, it’s worth noting that this feature in Copilot is kinda locked behind a paid subscription if you wanna unlock the full potential — we’re talking about Copilot Pro for about $20 a month. Without that, you’re mostly stuck with the basic version that works mostly in Edge and with limited features.
How to Get Copilot Vision
To get this all working, the first thing’s to make sure Windows is fully updated. This isn’t optional — if your system is a bit behind, the feature likely won’t show up or work right.
Ensure your Windows OS is fully up-to-date
- Step 1: Go to Settings (click the Start menu and then gear icon), then select Windows Update.
- Step 2: Click Check for updates. It’s that big blue button at the top. If any updates are found, click Download and install. Sometimes, you might see a cumulative update for your specific Windows version — so keep an eye out for that.
- Step 3: Wait for everything to download and install. Yeah, it might ask for a restart, don’t ignore it. Sometimes these updates are a pain and want a reboot to finalize.
Once Windows is fully updated, launch your Copilot app (not through Edge but directly from your app list or taskbar).If it’s been sitting idle for a while, it should pick up the new Vision feature after updating itself.
How to Use Copilot Vision
Using it is kind of straightforward once everything’s set. The trick is knowing where to find the glasses icon inside the app and what happens next, because it’s not super intuitive at first.
Getting started with the actual Vision feature
- Step 1: Open the Copilot app from your taskbar or search for it. If it’s not showing, maybe try a restart first, sometimes Windows or the app itself can be slow to catch up.
- Step 2: Look for that glasses icon in the right sidebar of the composer box — it’s what triggers Vision. This is different from Edge, where Vision is mainly integrated into the browser or Voice Chat features, kinda confusing.
- Step 3: When you click the glasses icon, a pop-up appears listing all open programs and windows on your screen. It’s kinda like a screen-sharing overview. Choose which apps you want to share with Copilot by clicking Share next to each.
- Step 4: Once shared, Copilot minimizes and switches to audio chat mode. You can ask questions related to the shared content, and it will try to help. Because of how it stores multiple contexts, it can answer questions about different programs you’ve shared without losing track—at least in theory. Expect it to sometimes give approximate locations for settings (“top left corner”, “above that icon”, etc.).
- Step 5: To end sharing, hit Stop on the composer. The sharing screen stays open for a quick re-toggle, but if you want to completely shut Vision down, just click the glasses icon again and close it.
Fair warning, on some setups, the sharing and stopping process can be a little buggy or slow. Not sure why it works sometimes but not always, but a restart of the app or your PC can help clear things up.
Best Use Cases for Copilot Vision
Honestly, it’s only as useful as how you ask it to help. Still, there are clear scenarios where it shines, or at least makes life easier:
- Getting quick help on common stuff — like where a hidden setting is or troubleshooting a simple issue.
- Cross-referencing info from different apps or windows — handy when juggling multiple things at once.
- Assisting creatively — like guiding you through editing a photo or drafting some text based on what’s on your screen.