Microsoft is jumping on the AI bandwagon, and it looks like its next stop is your Windows 11 Taskbar. In the latest Windows 11 preview builds, references to a feature called ‘agentic companions’ have surfaced, suggesting that AI might soon make its way to the Taskbar.
These mentions were spotted in recent Insider builds, though newer versions have removed the term ‘agentic,’ likely to keep the feature under wraps until it’s fully developed.
While details remain sparse, the idea behind this new feature seems to revolve around introducing an AI companion right on your Taskbar. It’s speculated that there could be a dedicated button that lets you activate the AI, possibly helping you with your current task or project. Though Microsoft is likely to integrate its own Copilot chatbot, competitors like Gemini and ChatGPT are also in the mix. But as of now, it’s unclear whether this button will be a comprehensive tool or a more limited function.
AI is quickly becoming a core part of Windows 11. Recent updates have brought new Copilot features, with some even requiring specialized hardware. For instance, the ‘Click To Do’ feature is a lot like Google’s ‘Circle To Search’ – scanning your screen to identify text and images and suggesting contextual actions. Microsoft has also hinted at a future where Windows is more ‘agentic,’ meaning the system could function autonomously to some extent. This makes the appearance of ‘agentic’ AI on the Taskbar feel like a natural next step, even if the word itself has been dropped from recent builds.
On top of all this, there’s also Copilot Vision, which could play a role in the new Taskbar feature. Copilot Vision has the ability to ‘see’ your screen, which might help the new Taskbar companion assist you even more effectively. However, at this point, we still don’t know exactly how it will work.
In my opinion, adding AI everywhere can sometimes feel overwhelming. While I appreciate the convenience of helpful features, a flood of AI tools might become distracting. Still, it’s exciting to see Microsoft pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, and I’m sure many users will love the idea of an AI companion readily available on the Taskbar. Personally, I’d prefer it stays optional for now.