Copilot cannot be successful if Microsoft cannot convince Windows 10 users

Despite the company's efforts to make Copilot the standard Generative AI for customer support, the average Windows user may not even know what Copilot is.

Microsoft introduced Copilot AI in 2023 and launched PC Copilot+ in June this year.

While anyone can access Copilot on Microsoft Edge Windows 10, the dedicated Copilot app is only available with Windows 11 (and only on compatible devices). If the goal is widespread adoption, Microsoft will have to make this AI application available on all recent Windows devices.

Windows 10 still has a huge user base

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Windows 11 has been out since 2021, so users have had plenty of time to switch to Microsoft's latest operating system. However, many people have delayed upgrading their computers, citing the lack of new features due to unsupported hardware to continue using Windows 10.

According to StatCounter, users running Windows 10 still account for more than 68% of the market as of May 2024, while Windows 11 only accounts for 27%. The operating system's vast reach means millions of users are missing out on Copilot.

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PC Copilot+ requires a chip capable of AI processing (i.e. PC AI), meaning that even recently purchased computers will not be able to run all Copilot features on the device. To ensure Windows 10 users can participate, Microsoft will need to ramp up its data centers to handle AI requests.

While this may be a large expense for Microsoft, it is a worthy investment. After all, if Microsoft can make Copilot as ubiquitous as the Start menu, it will help increase widespread adoption and even encourage more people to upgrade sooner.

Copilot on Windows 10 will introduce more people to PC AI

If Microsoft can provide the massive Windows 10 user base with Copilot, even with limited features, it could be an easy way to make Copilot and Windows a unified whole.

Just a simple keyboard shortcut, like the Copilot key, to make it easier to launch software can make a big difference. This convenience means they will likely choose Copilot for their AI needs to avoid having to take extra steps like visiting the OpenAI website to access ChatGPT or even opening Microsoft Edge to find the Copilot icon.

As Windows 10 users become more accustomed to the idea of having AI on their computers, they will be more likely to accept the integrated existence of AI on PCs. This could be similar to Apple Intelligence - one of the best features that Apple will introduce with macOS Sequoia. However, if Microsoft adds Copilot+ features to all Windows PCs recently, it won't impact privacy and security, like the step back the company had to take with the Recall feature controversial.

Makes the transition to Windows 12 much easier

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The launch of Copilot+ PC in June 2024 shows the future of Windows: Generative AI features are integrated into the operating system and some applications. So giving Windows 10 users a taste of the future could make the move to Windows 12 more bearable.

This could help Microsoft avoid the same problems it continues to encounter when adopting Windows 11, which still holds less than 30% of the Windows PC market share three years after launch. Furthermore, Apple is rolling out its version of AI to all Apple silicon MacBooks, meaning more users will get the feature upfront. If Windows 10 users miss out on AI features, they will likely buy a MacBook instead because of Apple Intelligence.

What will Copilot on Windows 10 look like?

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Microsoft should make Copilot on Windows 10 look and work the same as on Windows 11. It's true that some features won't be available on less powerful computers, but the company could move this processing to its data centers. This process will be slower, but it can at least give Windows 10 users a preview of Copilot's capabilities.

Microsoft has many Copilot applications available, but Copilot in Windows 11 may be the most important. That's because it will introduce users who aren't necessarily looking for an AI chatbot and can show them how useful these will be. Microsoft could then increase adoption of the tool by adding some (or even all) of its features to Windows 10 to ensure a successful future for its AI tool.