Microsoft is rolling out a website wrapper as a "native" Copilot app for Windows

Facepalm: Microsoft is rolling out a new version of the Copilot app for Windows Insiders. The company is describing it as a "native" application that replaces the current progressive web app (PWA), but media reports suggest that it is still mostly a web wrapper that loads up the Copilot website, just like the existing Copilot web app.

The new Copilot app (version 1.24112.123.0) sits on the Windows system tray when opened and can be triggered using the new Alt + Space keyboard shortcut. It includes a quick view UI – a windowed Copilot website – that floats above the taskbar and draws on top of other apps until it's closed using either the "X" button at the top right corner of the window or the Alt + Space shortcut.

While Microsoft is promising a native experience with the new app, Windows Central found that it is still a web app like the existing version, but with a few minor tweaks that give it a more native look and feel. According to the report, the "native" Copilot still loads up copilot.microsoft.com and uses WebView2 to display the web interface, although it is no longer powered by Microsoft Edge's PWA system.

The app apparently has only two true native components: the About screen and the menu that can be accessed from the title bar. However, the former is not necessarily one of the more critical parts of the app, as it only displays a link to a text file that lists third-party notices.

Another curious choice is the Alt + Space shortcut, which is already used by a number of Windows apps. Microsoft acknowledges this and says that Windows will register the app that's launched first as the one that is invoked when using the shortcut. The company also said it will "continue to explore options" related to keyboard shortcuts for Copilot in an apparent admission that using this particular keyboard combination may confuse users.

The new Copilot app is currently rolling out to Windows 10 and Windows 11 Insiders. This is in line with Microsoft's plans to support the older OS with new features until its scheduled end of support in October 2025. It's unclear when it will roll out to the stable channels, but it will likely take at least a few weeks.