It’s a hard to miss change Microsoft is pushing Copilot deeper into Windows 11 and the latest update is not too soon. When a new “Share with Copilot” option is available, you will allow AI to see your open apps directly from the taskbar for help. It’s a useful thing, but it also raises real privacy questions (especially since it is enabled by default)?
Understanding Share with Copilot Feature
New taskbar Share with Copilot is a new feature in Windows 11’s Taskbar system. When hovering over a closed app on the taskbar, you can choose to share that window with Copilot so it will be more accurate for the AI to know what you’re doing.
It’s a simple idea, with . Instead of rewriting text, and explaining a problem, you direct see the app from Copilot. This can then recommend editings and explain the content, or help you go to the next step.
This is an easier and more natural way to use AI in Windows, especially for applications like Outlook or Word or Edge, according to Microsoft. While it’s meant to skip protected content such as Netflix or even a VPN, the option appeared for all apps on my laptop.
Microsoft’s broader vision becomes more clear when you look at how Copilot already works system-wide, if you’re still unclear on what Co pilot is meant to do across Windows.
Why Microsoft Built It This Way
Share with Copilot The goal of the campaign is simple make your life easier. But Microsoft wants Copilot to be “like a built-in assistant” rather than just an individual tool. When I get access to app windows, it removes the back-and-forth from my phone and makes AI help feel instant.
This design also supports Copilot Vision, which uses visual context instead of typed prompts to support the concept of a copilot vision. It also scans visible shared windows, highlights parts, suggests actions or even writes answers.
Another reason is consistency. Features like voice activation and taskbar integration aim to make Copilot always available.
It’s a way to compare earlier additions like “Hey Copilot” voice command, while everything is read-only (i.e., AI doesn’t control your apps directly) and all of the above are also similar in nature with this approach as it does for now. That’s already prompted debates about always-on AI in Windows, and that was also the subject of .
From Microsoft’s perspective, this is about seamless productivity. However, as a user, it’s about how much access is too much.
The Privacy Risks You Need to Know
Here’s where I find Share with Copilot awkward for me to be a . When you share an app window, Copilot will see everything that is visible in that app when it’s shared with the app. Such things could include email, sensitive files or chats and/or work dashboards.
Copilot is strictly cloud-based, so if you have sensitive info slip through it will not be sure how or what it might be used for.
More of the concern is that this default-based feature allows you to enter the AI world when it rolls out, allowing you into the machine without asking for permission.
If you like me and already feel uncomfortable about AI tracking habits or Windows bloat, then this is another quiet step towards less control.
Microsoft’s AI Push: From Recall to Copilot Vision and the Backlash
There’s no isolation of this feature, such as . It goes along the same path as Recall, the AI that took screenshots of your activity and triggered strong criticism over privacy concerns. In Windows, many users were more cautious about new AI tools that would be a part of that controversy.
add Copilot Vision, voice activation and presence of a taskbar all the time.’ A pattern emerges as it is added to copilot vision, while its audio system has been switched off by an automatic machine that can be used at night for most hours. MIT is building an artificial intelligence-first operating system for Microsoft, which has been developing the first AI-based operating systems in its history. X users actively look for ways to limit or remove Copilot from menus and right-click options, with online reactions showing growing frustrations.
Additionally Microsoft’s limited APIs favor its tools, limiting alternatives to the . therefore can maintain their monopoly without fear of competition, as is the case with . It’s important to know if Windows is your privacy-wise choice before you decide whether it should be the right thing to do with .
How to Turn Share with Copilot Off
If you’re not comfortable with Share with Copilot, thankfully, you can disable it. Head to Settings -> Personalization -> Taskbar.
IncreaseTaskbar behavior **, if possible, and set **Share any window from my taskbar with*** to **None. Alternatively, you can only use communication apps to .
This disables it fast, keeping your Windows 11 taskbar clean without causing any other features. Read our Windows 11 taskbar hacks for more tweaks.
Extra: You can also disable annoying Windows 11 features immediately.
Share with Copilot is a smarter Windows 11 use model that says more intelligent windows are used. However, there is much to be desired from Microsoft’s heavy AI integration that has left a lot of weight on the table.
Despite the fact that it may save time, it’s also asking you to trust AI with your on-screen activity. If privacy matters to you, this is one feature you should review earlier rather than later.
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