Where Copilot lives and how to open it

Copilot is Microsoft's AI assistant built into Windows 11 and available in Microsoft Edge. On Windows 11, you can open it by pressing the Windows key + C on your keyboard, or by clicking the Copilot icon in your taskbar (it looks like a small sparkle). In Microsoft Edge, click the Copilot icon in the top right corner of the browser window.

If you don't see a Copilot icon in your taskbar, your Windows version may not have it yet — Microsoft rolled it out gradually starting in late 2023. You can still use Copilot through Edge even if it's not on your desktop. The web version at copilot.microsoft.com works in any browser, though the desktop version is faster because it runs locally on your machine.

When you first open Copilot, you'll see a chat window where you can type questions or requests. You don't need to set up an account for basic use, though signing in with your Microsoft account lets Copilot remember your conversation history across devices.

Key Takeaways

  • Copilot opens with Windows key + C on Windows 11, or through the icon in Microsoft Edge.
  • The desktop version uses your computer's resources to run, which can slow other programs if your device is already under load.
  • Copilot stores your conversation history if you sign in, and you can delete it anytime in your Microsoft account settings.
  • Turning off Copilot in Windows settings reduces background resource use if you don't plan to use it.

What Copilot does and what it costs your computer

Copilot answers questions, writes text, explains code, summarizes documents, and generates images. It runs on Microsoft's servers, so your prompts and Copilot's responses travel over the internet — this means you need an active connection to use it. The desktop version in Windows 11 keeps a small process running in the background even when you're not using it, which uses a small amount of RAM and CPU.

If your device already runs slowly or you have limited RAM (4 GB or less), having Copilot running in the background can make the slowdown noticeable. The impact is usually small — typically under 5% of your CPU when idle — but on older machines or during heavy workloads, it adds up. The web version in Edge has less persistent background activity because it only runs when you're actively using the browser.

Turning Copilot on or off in Windows 11

To disable Copilot's background process on Windows 11, open Settings (Windows key + I), go to System, then select Copilot. Toggle the switch next to "Copilot" to off. This stops the background process from running, freeing up a small amount of RAM and CPU. You can still use Copilot through Edge or the web version if you turn it off in Windows.

Turning it off doesn't delete your conversation history — that stays in your Microsoft account until you remove it manually. If you turn Copilot back on later, your previous chats will still be there if you're signed in.

Privacy and data: what happens to what you type

When you use Copilot, your prompts and the responses you receive are sent to Microsoft's servers. Microsoft says it uses this data to improve the service, and you can read their privacy statement at microsoft.com/privacy for the full details. If you're signed in with a Microsoft account, your conversation history is stored in your account and tied to your identity.

If you don't want your conversations saved, you can use Copilot without signing in — each session will be separate and won't be stored. You can also delete your conversation history anytime by going to your Microsoft account settings, selecting Privacy, and clearing your Copilot activity. Keep in mind that anything you type into Copilot — passwords, personal details, confidential work information — should be treated as data you're sending to the internet, because that's what's happening.

Using Copilot in Microsoft Edge

In Microsoft Edge, click the Copilot icon (sparkle) in the top right corner to open the sidebar. You can ask Copilot to summarize the webpage you're currently reading, answer questions about its content, or write text based on what's on the page. This version of Copilot can see the page you're on, which makes it useful for research or writing tasks.

The Edge version uses fewer background resources than the Windows desktop version because it only runs when you're actively using the browser. If you want to reduce resource use, using Copilot only through Edge instead of keeping the Windows version running is one way to do that.

Copilot and your internet connection

Copilot requires an active internet connection to work. If your connection is slow or unstable, Copilot will be slow to respond or may time out. Because your prompts travel to Microsoft's servers and back, you'll see a slight delay — usually a second or two — before Copilot starts responding. This is normal and different from a local program that runs entirely on your device.

If you're on a metered connection (like a phone hotspot with a data limit), be aware that using Copilot sends data over that connection. A typical conversation uses a small amount of data, but image generation or long document summaries use more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Copilot slow down my computer?

The background process uses a small amount of RAM and CPU when idle, usually under 5%. On newer machines with plenty of RAM, you won't notice it. On older devices or when you're already running heavy programs, it can contribute to slowdown. You can turn it off in Windows Settings if you want to free up those resources.

Can I delete my Copilot conversation history?

Yes. Sign into your Microsoft account, go to Privacy settings, and select Copilot activity. You can delete individual conversations or clear all of them. If you use Copilot without signing in, conversations aren't saved at all.

What's the difference between Copilot in Windows and Copilot in Edge?

The Windows version runs as a background process and uses more resources. The Edge version only runs when you use the browser and can see the webpage you're on. Both connect to the same AI model, but Edge's integration with web pages makes it better for research tasks.

Do I need a Microsoft account to use Copilot?

No. You can use Copilot without signing in, but your conversations won't be saved. Signing in lets Copilot remember your chat history across devices and personalize responses based on your account settings.

What should I avoid typing into Copilot?

Don't type passwords, credit card numbers, social security numbers, or other sensitive personal information. Don't share confidential work documents or proprietary information. Anything you type is sent to Microsoft's servers, so treat it like information you're sharing on the internet.