Newest Windows 11 preview sees Copilot finally take the wheel

Microsoft Copilot logo
(Image credit: Microsoft)

The newest Windows 11 24H2 software release is imminent, and Microsoft is still hard at work improving the software via Inside Preview Builds before the official rollout. In the latest Preview Build (26058), it looks like Copilot is shaping up to be an assistant capable of more than answering questions or starting and stopping processes.

Don't get me wrong. Some of the new tasks Copilot can assist you with are tasks that would only take you seconds to complete yourself, like toggling battery saver, looking at available wireless networks, or emptying your recycle bin. But here's the most exciting addition to the newest Preview Build: the Power Automate plugin.

What can Power Automate via Copilot do?

Power Automate is a "low-code automation solution" plugin available in Copilot for Windows. In this first version, the Power Automate plugin includes automation features that work with Excel, file management, and PDFs.

With this plugin enabled Windows Copilot can carry out tasks that might take you a few minutes or more, depending on how quickly it takes you to write an email or how savvy you are with your computer. Via the Windows blog, here are a few examples of complex tasks you could ask Copilot to do for you:

  • Write an email to my team wishing everyone a happy weekend.
  • List the top 5 highest mountains in the world in an Excel file.
  • Rename all PDF files in a folder to add the word final at the end
  • Move all Word documents to another folder.
  • I need to split a PDF by the first page. Can you help?

Right now, Copilot can only perform these complex tasks with Excel, PDFs, and your file management system. But between this Preview Build and the official Windows 11 24H2 rollout, I imagine the Power Automate plugin in Copilot will be integrated with more Windows apps and possibly be able to carry out even more complex tasks than the ones listed above.

windows 11 on laptop

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Preview Build 26058 also brings new accessibility features. Copilot can now assist with more accessibility functions via a voice or typed command, including turning on narrator, magnifier, and live captions, changing text size, and starting voice typing.

Despite Windows 12 rumors initially suggesting it might be released this year, Microsoft has already stated that Windows 11 24H2 would be this year's major software update. It's likely going to launch around September or October, so we'll probably see a lot more Preview Builds pop up between now and then as things are finalized.

More from Laptop Mag

Category
Arrow
Arrow
Back to Apple MacBook Pro
Brand
Arrow
Processor
Arrow
RAM
Arrow
Storage Size
Arrow
Screen Size
Arrow
Colour
Arrow
Condition
Arrow
Price
Arrow
Any Price
Showing 10 of 246 deals
Filters
Arrow
Show more
Sarah Chaney
Contributing Writer

Sarah Chaney is a freelance tech writer with five years of experience across multiple outlets, including Mashable, How-To Geek, MakeUseOf, Tom’s Guide, and of course, Laptop Mag. She loves reviewing the latest gadgets, from inventive robot vacuums to new laptops, wearables, and anything PC-related. When she's not writing, she's probably playing a video game, exploring the outdoors, or listening to her current favorite song or album on repeat.

Read more
Windows Logo
Windows users call Microsoft's latest update blunder "The greatest bug in living memory" — here's why
Microsoft Copilot physical key on Windows keyboards
Microsoft "fixes" Windows update bug that some users considered a feature
Windows 12 concept logo on gradient background
Think Windows 11 is bad? Picture how much worse Windows 12 could be
A workman on a ladder painting over a Windows 11 image with a Windows 12 image.
Microsoft 365 Office didn't need a rebrand but Windows 11 desperately does
Microsoft Copilot logo
"Truly magical" ChatGPT feature comes to Microsoft Copilot — and it's completely free
Windows 11
Freshly uncovered Windows 11 app may ease the biggest headache of buying a new laptop
Latest in Windows Laptops
Error when installing Google Chrome on the Asus Vivobook 16 Flip, on a white desk against a blue background.
"This app can't run on your PC": Google's Chrome Installer broke on Windows, but there's a fix
Microsoft Copilot physical key on Windows keyboards
Microsoft "fixes" Windows update bug that some users considered a feature
The HP ZBook Fury 18 G1i open against a gradient purple background.
I'm a veteran laptop tester, and the new HP ZBook Fury is so powerful I'm shocked
Asus Vivobook Pro 15 (N6506, 2025) open at an angle on a white table.
Asus Vivobook Pro 15 (N6506, 2025) review: Asus dials in its MacBook Pro competitor
Windows Logo
Windows users call Microsoft's latest update blunder "The greatest bug in living memory" — here's why
A keyboard with a button that says "SCAM?"
A years-long scam that began with fake Windows pop-ups ends with PayPal payments
Latest in News
A close-up of a light-colored computer keyboard shows the keys T, Y, G, and H replaced by the logos of OpenAI, DeepSeek, Grok, and Gemini, the leading competitors in the artificial intelligence market. This serves as a visual metaphor for the intense rivalry and innovation in the AI industry. (Photo by Matteo Della Torre/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Is generative AI inadvertently reducing the voices of many to the banality of one?
WWDC 2025 could mark the beginning of the end for certain iPhone users
Error when installing Google Chrome on the Asus Vivobook 16 Flip, on a white desk against a blue background.
"This app can't run on your PC": Google's Chrome Installer broke on Windows, but there's a fix
Nintendo Switch 2 handheld gaming console
Nintendo Switch 2 preorder date: It might be a lot closer than you think, say tipsters
Microsoft Surface Laptop (7th Edition, 2024)
Windows-on-Arm woes: Amazon warns customers about Surface laptop returns
Apple Watch Series 8
Siri is the biggest obstacle to making the Apple Watch an AI hit