Microsoft is testing a Windows 11 taskbar feature that allows AI to view your open apps when you share a window. This new option, called 'Share any window from my taskbar with virtual assistant', enables supported apps like Copilot and Microsoft 365 Copilot to access the chosen window directly from the taskbar interface. The goal is to streamline the process of sharing a live app window with an AI assistant, all with your permission, and in line with Microsoft's vision of transforming the taskbar into a dynamic hub for AI. The company is already exploring Ask Copilot, an AI-powered feature that could replace the traditional Windows Search on the Taskbar, offering single-button access to Copilot Voice and Copilot Vision. The latter allows you to share your screen with Copilot and have it perform tasks for you. However, the 'Share any window from taskbar with virtual assistant' toggle is part of Microsoft's broader strategy to make Windows an 'Agentic OS', suggesting that the taskbar space may accommodate more AI agents in the future. The feature, which is currently in testing, adds the option to share a specific app window directly to Copilot when hovering over the app's thumbnail preview on the taskbar. Once a window is shared, Copilot can read visible content, summarize information, suggest replies, or guide you through actions by highlighting UI elements with its own cursor. It's designed as a read-only, assistive layer, allowing the AI to see what you see without taking control of the app or interacting with protected content. The newly discovered toggle indicates that Microsoft is formalizing this capability into a system-level permission model, allowing users to choose which 'virtual assistant' apps can access open windows. The list currently includes Copilot and Microsoft 365 Copilot, with the potential for third-party AI agents to be added in the future. Windows Latest found that Microsoft is using a Windows API called 'Windows.UI.Shell.ShareWindowCommandSource' to enable apps like Teams to integrate with the taskbar. This API is marked as a 'Limited Access Feature'. The Windows shell-level sharing infrastructure was initially designed for communication apps, but Microsoft is adapting it to allow AI agents to register as sharing targets, enabling Windows to pass along a selected WindowId from the taskbar. While Copilot and Microsoft 365 Copilot are currently the only approved AI agents, Microsoft has the authority to approve third-party developers, leading to the potential inclusion of other AI agents in the future. The screenshot reveals that users will be able to turn on or off individual AI agents from the list. The feature can be completely disabled with a simple toggle, and it is currently turned off by default. To enable it, users should go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar and check the 'Taskbar behaviors' section. Interestingly, users can prioritize AI agents while sharing an app window, although the method for choosing a specific AI agent is not yet clear. Windows 11 is undergoing a significant transformation to accommodate the AI era, with the taskbar being redefined to offer more functionality and integration with AI. For decades, the taskbar was primarily a launcher, displaying the Start button and running apps, with minimal changes from Windows 7 to Windows 10. Windows 11 initially faced criticism for removing long-standing features, such as the ability to move the taskbar to different screen edges, which frustrated power users who had developed workflows around more flexible layouts. However, Microsoft is now reversing this decision and adding new features, including the ability to move and resize the taskbar, which is reportedly under active development for upcoming Windows 11 updates. The company is also enhancing the taskbar with new functionalities, such as updated battery indicators and built-in network speed monitoring, aiming to make everyday information and actions more accessible directly from the taskbar. The addition of AI entry points aligns with this goal, embedding them into areas where users already interact frequently. Microsoft is taking a cautious approach, testing these new capabilities in limited rollouts and gathering feedback before making them widely available. The newly discovered toggle can be turned off, but the user experience may evolve as the feature is refined for a broader audience.
