Microsoft is rolling out a major new capability for Copilot on Windows: real‑time text editing powered by Copilot Actions during Vision sessions, now available in preview for Windows Insiders. This change lets Copilot move from being just a chat assistant to something much closer to an in‑context writing partner that can see the app you are working in and edit text directly where your cursor is.
What Microsoft is rolling out
The latest update to the Microsoft Copilot app for Windows (version 1.25121.60.0 and higher) adds Copilot Actions for text editing, a feature that lets Insiders rewrite, refine, and edit text in real time while using Copilot Vision. The update is beginning to roll out across all Windows Insider Channels via the Microsoft Store, with Microsoft describing it as a gradual rollout where availability may vary by user and region.
To use the feature, Insiders also need to be on Windows build 26200.6899 or later, reflecting how tightly integrated the Copilot app and Windows platform have become. Microsoft notes that this preview is rolling out worldwide to Windows Insiders except in the EEA, where the feature is currently not enabled.
How Copilot text editing works in Vision
The new capability is built on Copilot Vision, which allows Copilot to analyze what is on your screen and assist across apps without constant context switching. To start a Vision session with text editing enabled, users:
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Open the Copilot app on Windows and click the glasses icon in the bottom‑right of the chat bar to start a Vision session.
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Choose the window to share, such as a document, email, or any app where text editing is happening.
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Place the cursor into a text field, click into it, and then talk to Copilot using natural language.
Microsoft says users can give prompts like “rewrite this to be more formal,” “make this clearer,” or “simplify this text,” and Copilot will propose edits inline for that specific text field. Before anything is applied, you see a preview of the suggested change, so you can accept it as‑is, refine it with another instruction, or reject it and keep your original content.
Crucially, Copilot Vision stays fully opt‑in: it only activates after you explicitly start a Vision session and choose which window to share, giving users direct control over when the assistant can “see” their screen.
The role of Copilot Actions and settings
This new experience is powered by Copilot Actions, a capability Microsoft has been expanding across Copilot on Windows. To use text editing, Insiders must enable the Copilot Actions toggle in the Copilot app’s Settings. Once that toggle is on, users not only get the new text editing actions during Vision sessions but also Copilot Actions for long‑running tasks surfaced through Copilot Labs, a separate preview area where Microsoft tests more advanced workflows.
Copilot Actions for long‑running tasks can handle more complex, multi‑step operations that take time to complete, such as large document transformations or research‑style work, while text editing actions focus on fast, in‑flow adjustments to the text a user is currently working on.
Designed for in‑flow productivity
Microsoft positions this feature as a way to reduce friction at the moment of writing, rather than forcing users to copy and paste text between apps or prompts. By letting Copilot see the document or app via Vision, then directly editing the field where the cursor is, users can:
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Clean up wording without breaking focus from their current app.
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Quickly switch between different tones, such as formal, casual, or simplified language.
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Iterate on drafts in real time using short voice prompts instead of manually retyping.
The experience builds on earlier Vision updates that added visual guidance and multi‑app sharing for Copilot, reinforcing Microsoft’s strategy of turning Copilot into a screen‑aware assistant for Windows rather than a simple chat window.
Availability for Windows Insiders
The text editing feature is currently exclusive to Windows Insiders and is being delivered as part of the Copilot app update via the Microsoft Store. Key requirements include:
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Microsoft Copilot app version 1.25121.60.0 or higher from the Microsoft Store.
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Windows version 26200.6899 or later installed on the device.
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Copilot Actions toggle enabled in Copilot settings.
Microsoft confirms the feature is rolling out globally to Insiders, except those in the European Economic Area (EEA), where text editing with Vision is not available at this stage. As with many Insider rollouts, the company stresses that not all users will see the update immediately, and it may take time before it lands on every eligible device.
Part of a broader Copilot on Windows evolution
This announcement follows a year of steady Copilot enhancements on Windows, including earlier previews of Vision with text input and expanded Vision capabilities that allow Copilot to guide users step‑by‑step inside their apps. Microsoft’s broader strategy has been to make Windows feel like an OS with agent‑like AI capabilities built in, turning Copilot into a central productivity layer that runs across apps, browser tabs, and system experiences.
The new text editing feature fits alongside other recent Microsoft 365 and Windows Copilot efforts, such as AI‑powered rewriting and proofreading in Office apps and more intuitive navigation in the Microsoft 365 Copilot app. Together, these updates show a consistent push toward AI‑assisted writing and content creation across the Microsoft ecosystem.
Microsoft wants feedback from Insiders
As with most Windows Insider previews, Microsoft is explicitly asking testers to share feedback directly from within the Copilot app. Users can click their profile icon and select “Give feedback” to report issues, suggest improvements, or share how well Copilot’s text suggestions work in real‑world scenarios.
The Copilot team reiterates that it is “actively refining this feature based on feedback and real‑world use” with the goal of helping users be more productive, craft higher‑quality content, and reduce the friction of getting started with writing or editing. As the rollout continues, those insights will likely shape how text editing evolves before it reaches all Windows customers outside the Insider community.
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