Windows 11 taskbar gets AI chatbot

On 7 February, Microsoft presented a co-pilot for the Bing search engine, which is now also being integrated into the Windows taskbar. This chatbot is based on ChatGPT, but offers improved functions. This makes it possible to obtain more complete search answers to complex questions, make competitor comparisons in tabular form or generate other content.

Microsoft initially only made the new service available to a few users, but is increasing the number of users from week to week. According to the Microsoft blog, one million users already have access today. To be able to use the new artificial neural network, interested parties must join a waiting list. A Microsoft account is required for this.

In recent weeks, Microsoft has extended Bing Chat access to the Edge and Bing mobile apps and introduced it to Skype. If you are one of those chosen by Microsoft and can already use the new Bing Chat, you now have another option: using the chatbot via the search field in the taskbar. Provided that the Windows 11 update KB5022913 is installed. It can be triggered in the update settings of the operating system.

The integration of the AI chatbot is a surprise. The other new functions that Microsoft is bringing to our computers with the update were known in advance. These include better integration of the iPhone: Apple users will be able to read and send messages or make calls under Windows 11 using the Smartphone Link app. However, the new functions for Apple users are only available to a limited number of users in the Windows Insider Programme for the time being.

Other new features include improved touch operation, full screen widgets and video recordings for the snipping tool.