Windows 11 introduces the "Hey, Copilot" voice command

Microsoft is actively developing a voice interface for its Copilot app in Windows 11 that will allow users to start a conversation simply by saying “Hey, Copilot.” The feature is currently in beta and available to select Windows Insiders, who must first manually enable the new option after installing the appropriate version of the app.

This is similar functionality to what we've seen for years with other digital assistants, from Apple's Siri and Google Assistant to Amazon's Alexa. Microsoft's former assistant Cortana also once offered a similar way of interacting, but it has been replaced by Copilot in newer versions of Windows. In this context, the "Hey, Copilot" command represents an important step towards a more fluid, natural use of artificial intelligence within the operating system.

The feature is currently limited to users with the system set to English and using Copilot version 1.25051.10.0 or higher. Once activated, a floating microphone icon appears at the bottom of the screen, indicating that the system is listening. The user also receives an audio notification.

Microsoft explains in the announcement that the voice interface uses a local trigger word recognition component that works with a 10-second audio buffer. It is important to note that these audio recordings are not sent to the cloud or stored locally, which is important from a privacy perspective. Trigger command recognition is done directly on the device and works even without an internet connection. However, Copilot will need access to cloud services to actually execute the commands.

With the latest updates, Copilot is no longer just a text-based help tool in the system, but is becoming more like a digital companion with voice interaction and contextual understanding. In the future, we can expect voice Copilot to become a standard part of the Windows user experience, especially for those who swear by hands-free use or need accessibility solutions.