Microsoft reveals AI-powered Windows 11 taskbar with Hybrid Intelligence

At its Windows and Surface 2026 event, Microsoft showed off a revamped Windows 11 taskbar with built-in Copilot that handles simple tasks and file searches via text prompts. Hybrid Intelligence lets AI services access files, act on Windows, and run local models, while a new section generates native Windows apps from a single prompt.

• Copilot in the taskbar handles tasks like switching themes and finding files via text prompts
• Hybrid Intelligence grants AI services permissions to access files and act on Windows
• Local models can run tasks directly on the user's PC
• A new section generates native Windows apps from a single text prompt