Microsoft Expands Copilot+ PC Features to Intel & AMD Chips

Photo: AFP

Microsoft has announced that its Copilot+ PC features, such as Live Captions and Image Creator, will now be available on computers with Intel Core Ultra 200V and AMD Ryzen AI 300 processors. Before this, these features were only available on computers powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X processors.

The rollout of these features started on Monday, and now, all x86-based PCs from brands like HP, Dell, Lenovo, and Asus will get access to them. Microsoft first made these features available for Intel and AMD testers in late October. The company also mentioned that some of these features will be included in the March 2025 Windows update and will be gradually released to users over the next month.

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Only Specific Intel and AMD Chips Will Support Copilot+ PC Features

Even though Microsoft is adding support for Intel and AMD chips, not all Intel and AMD computers will get Copilot+ PC features. Only PCs with Intel Core Ultra 200V and AMD Ryzen AI 300 processors will support these features because they have a special chip called an NPU (Neural Processing Unit) that can perform at least 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS).

Computers with other Intel and AMD processors, such as Intel Core Ultra 200U or AMD Ryzen 200 series, will not get Copilot+ PC features—unless Microsoft changes its rules in the future.

Still, this is a big step because it means Microsoft is no longer limiting these features to Qualcomm-powered PCs.

Qualcomm-Based PCs Get an Improved Voice Access Feature

At the same time, Microsoft has released an update for Qualcomm-based Copilot+ PCs. These computers now have an improved Voice Access feature in Windows 11. This feature allows users to control their PC using their voice more simply and flexibly.

The improved Voice Access was added in the Windows 11 version 22H2 update. However, Intel and AMD computers will not get this update until later in 2025.

Copilot+ PC Features Now Available for Intel and AMD Computers

The Copilot+ PC features that are now available for Intel and AMD computers include:

1. Live Captions – This feature provides real-time English translations for audio and video content during meetings, podcasts, or videos.

2. Cocreator in Paint – This tool helps users turn simple sketches and text into advanced artwork.

3. Restyle Image – Available in the Microsoft Photos app, this feature allows users to apply different art styles to their pictures.

4. Image Creator – This tool lets users create new images by giving detailed prompts.

Some Copilot+ PC Features Are Still Being Tested

Not all Copilot+ PC features are available yet. One key feature, called Recall, was originally supposed to launch in June 2024. Recall takes screenshots every few seconds, allowing users to search for anything they have seen on their computer using natural language.

However, Microsoft delayed this feature after privacy and security experts raised concerns. They worried that storing so many screenshots could make it easy for hackers to access sensitive information. Because of this, Microsoft has been adding more security protections, like requiring Windows Hello (biometric authentication) and virtualization-based security.

Microsoft tested Recall with Windows Insider Program members at the end of last year and now plans to officially launch it in early 2025.

More Copilot+ PC Features Coming in 2025

Microsoft has also announced more AI-powered features for Copilot+ PCs, which will be released in 2025. These include:

• Click to Do – A feature that provides helpful suggestions based on what you are doing on your PC.

• Improved Windows Search – A better and smarter way to search for files and information on your PC.

• Super Resolution – An AI-powered tool that improves the quality of low-resolution photos.

These new features will arrive on Qualcomm-based PCs in early 2025 and on Intel and AMD PCs in mid-2025.

With this update, Microsoft is making Copilot+ PC features more widely available, bringing AI-powered tools to more computers than before.