Feb 20, 2026
3 min read
Microsoft introduced "Agents" on the desktop through "Ask Copilot", an optional feature that replaced Windows Search.
Microsoft introduced "Agents" on the taskbar through "Ask CoPilot", an optional feature that replaces Windows Search.Microsoft also confirmed Microsoft 365 Copilot integration into File Explorer and shared other details.These features will start becoming available to everyone in the next few weeks and Microsoft claims that they will make you more productive.
"Stay productive without changing the way you work with the Microsoft 365 Copilot and AI experience on every Windows 11 PC," Microsoft 365 President Jeremy Chapman said in a video.
"Access Copilot and agents right from the taskbar; find answers in your files, email, and meetings, and turn ideas into great content using voice or text. AI is already where you work, so you can move faster, stay on track, and make better decisions without changing context, opening another app, or switching browsers," added Microsoft.
It looks like Microsoft plans to retire Copilot in Windows 11, but that doesn't mean the company is giving up on AI.In fact, Microsoft has confirmed that it's working on several new AI experiences, including new taskbar agents that can be triggered with "@" in the Ask Copilot window.
Microsoft says it's adding AI to the Windows 11 taskbar, and here's a closer look
Microsoft is looking at "Request Copilot" in the taskbar search box, which will allow you to find files and settings on your computer with commands.He can use the next business model.
Ask Copilot is an optional feature that replaces Windows Search when enabled, and it's not as bad as Windows Search.Although based on the same search index that powers Windows Search, Ask Copilot is faster, uses fewer resources, and makes Windows search easier.
For example, you could ask "When is my performance review?"In Windows Search, it won't search anything on your computer or on Bing.com.
On the other hand, if you use Ask Copilot, Copilot can pull data from Microsoft Teams and your Outlook calendar, schedule performance review meetings, etc.This is one use case.Another asked "How can I make my cursor bigger?"This will make the settings correct.
Microsoft can't integrate AI agents into the existing Windows search interface, so it created this new "Ask Copilot" interface that uses the new Windows Shell integration.
"Now this uses a new Windows shell entry, so long-term users can be seen as applications. So I'll start with the @ sign to pull my users now, I can find, open, monitor and work with my users directly from the taskbar," Jeremy Chapman, Microsoft 365 Director.
Ask Copilot allows you to use "@" to mark different AI agents, such as the Microsoft 365 Researcher agent, which helps you conduct in-depth AI research directly from your taskbar.
Agent Researcher can run for 10 minutes or more because it is powered by ChatGPT's Deep Research feature.These agents can continue to run in the background, and taskbar indicators show the agents' progress.
“When an Agent is running, there is a status indicator directly on the taskbar.Similar to when you download a large file.You can track processes and see when they are completed, so your agents are visible and easy to monitor when your work isn't buried in a browser tab,” Microsoft said.
In the above case, the research icon shows a green check mark, which means that it has completed the task assigned and the summary is ready.You can go directly to the Microsoft 365 Copilot app for more detailed information, but most users will find the summary of AI agents useful.
Copilot i File Explorer
Microsoft is releasing a new "Ask Microsoft 365 Copilot" app to provide information about shared files.If you select a shared file, it can provide information such as a summary, context, or next step for the document.
For example, when you click on the MS 365 icon, it opens the application and gives you a brief description of the selected file.
As I mentioned, these features will be available in the coming weeks.
