Imagine a world where your computer responds instantly to your voice, ready to assist with tasks and answer your questions. Microsoft is bringing this vision closer to reality with the introduction of “Hey Copilot” for Windows 11. This innovative feature allows users to activate the AI assistant simply by speaking, offering a seamless and hands-free computing experience. Read on to discover how this new functionality works, its current limitations, and what it means for the future of Windows.

How “Hey Copilot” Works
“Hey Copilot” streamlines interaction with the AI assistant, eliminating the need for clicks or keystrokes. Once enabled in the Copilot app settings, simply say “Hey Copilot” to initiate a conversation. A visual cue, an on-screen interface featuring a microphone icon, confirms that Copilot is listening.
From there, you can pose questions or make requests just as you would through text. Copilot will respond within its dedicated floating window. The conversation concludes automatically after a few seconds of silence or when you manually end it by pressing the “Esc” key or clicking the close button (“X”).
Activating “Hey Copilot”
It’s important to note that “Hey Copilot” isn’t enabled by default. Here’s how to activate it within the Copilot app:
- Open the Copilot app on your Windows 11 PC.
- Click your avatar located in the bottom left corner.
- Navigate to Settings.
- Scroll to the Voice Mode section.
- Enable the “Listen for ‘Hey Copilot’ to start a conversation” option.
Once activated, your PC continuously listens for the wake phrase locally. However, there are specific requirements for this feature to function correctly.
System Requirements and Current Limitations
Currently, “Hey Copilot” is exclusively available to Windows Insider Program members. Even within this group, the rollout is gradual, requiring Copilot app version 1.25051.10.0 or later.
Furthermore, several conditions must be met for “Hey Copilot” to function:
- Unlocked PC: The feature doesn’t work if your screen is locked or your computer is in sleep mode.
- English Display Language: The display language in Windows must be set to English.
- Copilot App Running: The Copilot application must be open, even if minimized or running in the background.
- Enabled Setting: The “Hey Copilot” option must be activated in the settings, as described above.
Microsoft emphasizes that voice command recognition is local. This means the system listens locally using a 10-second buffer, without recording or storing any audio. Only after detecting the wake phrase does the system send voice data to the cloud for processing and response generation.
The Future of AI in Windows 11
The introduction of “Hey Copilot” represents another step in Microsoft’s ongoing integration of Copilot into the Windows 11 ecosystem. Following the “Press to Talk” keyboard shortcut and dedicated Copilot key on some keyboards, “Hey Copilot” makes the AI assistant more accessible and responsive.
While it may draw comparisons to Cortana, Microsoft’s previous voice assistant, Copilot now boasts a powerful AI engine. Although it is currently limited to English-speaking Insiders, the company will likely introduce support for additional languages. Whether this hands-free approach resonates with users remains to be seen, but it undoubtedly hints at a future where AI assistants are even more deeply integrated into our daily computing experiences.

We do not support or promote any form of piracy, copyright infringement, or illegal use of software, video content, or digital resources.
Any mention of third-party sites, tools, or platforms is purely for informational purposes. It is the responsibility of each reader to comply with the laws in their country, as well as the terms of use of the services mentioned.
We strongly encourage the use of legal, open-source, or official solutions in a responsible manner.
Comments