Microsoft is continuing to refine the experience of Windows 11 via its Insider Preview Builds, and the latest update brings two big highlights: an “Ask Copilot” button right on the taskbar, and a Shared Audio feature intended to make collaboration more natural.
These new tools continue another step in Microsoft’s ongoing vision for AI-powered productivity, amplified multitasking, and user-friendly design for the everyday user and professional alike. The newest release of an Insider Preview Build is looking to bridge convenience and intelligence by seamlessly integrating Copilot and taking a new look at how we share and experience audio.
What is “Ask Copilot”?
Now, the Ask Copilot button has taken a prominent place in the Windows 11 taskbar—one-click access to Microsoft’s AI assistant. Rather than launch Copilot separately, you can now highlight text, files, or even on-screen content and instantly ask Copilot questions or get explanations.
You can use Ask Copilot to:
- Highlight text or code and provide a summary or explanation.
- Generate rapid responses or draft emails.
- Search the web contextually without opening a browser tab.
Unlike earlier preview builds where Copilot lived in a side panel, the new integration allows Ask Copilot to operate at the system level. This makes it feel far more like it’s a core Windows feature and less a web-based add-on.
Examples of usage:
- Highlight a file name in File Explorer → Ask Copilot to summarize its contents.
- Choose a PowerPoint window and let Copilot suggest presentation titles or designs.
- Highlight a text passage in Word or Notepad → Ask Copilot to paraphrase or expand on the text.
This is a sign that Microsoft intends Copilot to be no less central to Windows 11 than Cortana was, but with much more intelligence and utility.
What is the Shared Audio Feature?
The Shared Audio function is another major highlight of the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Build. It allows users to share system audio during screen sharing or video calls. This means participants can hear whatever is playing on your device—be it a video, song, or application alert—just as you do.
Use cases include:
- Online presentations with media playback.
- Virtual classrooms or online learning sessions.
Where previously it was up to the users to take app-specific settings for sharing system audio, Windows 11 moves this functionality directly into the operating system’s audio engine: simpler, faster, and more consistent across applications.
The Shared Audio toggle appears in the Quick Settings panel at the time of screen sharing. Once you turn it on, your system will combine the microphone input and the system sound into a single audio stream for your participants.
Users can manipulate:
- Audio balance between mic and system output.
Additional Improvements
Performance Enhancement:
- System responsiveness and boot time are improved on devices with hybrid CPUs.
Snap Layouts:
- Improved alignment suggestions when multitasking between several apps.
Future Roadmap Includes:
- More developer integration with deeper Copilot API integrations to hook AI into third-party apps.
- Smarter AI automation of productivity workflows.
Privacy and Control
Security measures include:
- Clearly prompts consent before sharing any system or screen data.
- Manually toggle on Shared Audio to avoid accidental sharing.
How to Obtain the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build
Steps to Enrollment:
- Open Settings → Windows Update → Windows Insider Program.
- Log in using your Microsoft account.
- Select a channel: Beta, Dev, or Canary. Most features, like Ask Copilot, make their first appearance in the Dev channel.
With the introduction of Ask Copilot and Shared Audio, it’s a smarter, more connected Windows.
Here’s what users can look forward to:
- AI-enabled troubleshooting and repair tools.
- Smart suggestions according to your daily usage pattern.
Conclusion
From productivity to entertainment, these updates take Windows 11 one step closer to being more like an intelligent companion rather than just an operating system. Whether you’re an Insider testing these features or not, and are waiting for the public rollout, one thing’s for sure: the future of Windows is indeed smarter, faster, and more human.
