Microsoft begins Insider rollout of Copilot’s in-app text editing
Microsoft is starting to roll out a new update to the Copilot app on Windows that adds Copilot Actions for text editing, a feature designed to help users rewrite, refine, and edit text in real time while working inside other applications. The update is now appearing for Windows Insiders through the Microsoft Store, according to a December 19 post from the Microsoft Copilot Team.
The key change: during a Copilot Vision session—where users share a window with Copilot—Insiders can place their cursor into a text field and ask Copilot to make edits “in-flow,” with a preview shown before any changes are applied.
What “Copilot Actions for text editing” does
The new capability aims to reduce the friction of switching between an editor and a separate AI chat window. Instead, Copilot can propose edits directly where you’re working.
During a Copilot Vision session, users can ask Copilot to:
- Rewrite text (for example, “rewrite this to be more formal”)
- Refine text (“make this clearer”)
- Simplify text (“simplify this text”)
Microsoft says the feature supports “smooth, in-flow collaboration and editing,” with Copilot generating suggestions that appear as a preview so the user can accept them or request further refinements.
How it works inside Copilot Vision
Microsoft’s description emphasizes that the experience is voice-driven and context-aware, based on what’s visible in the shared window.
Starting a Vision session
To use the feature, Insiders need to start a Copilot Vision session in the Copilot app:
- Open the Copilot app.
- Select the glasses icon in the bottom-right of the chat bar.
- Choose the window you want to share (for example, a document or app you’re editing in).
Once the window is shared, Copilot begins analyzing what’s on screen. Users then click into a text field, place the cursor where they want changes, and speak a request in natural language.
Preview-first editing
A notable detail is the preview step. Rather than changing text immediately, Copilot shows the proposed edit first. This aligns with a broader push across productivity AI to keep users in control—especially when edits could affect tone, meaning, or compliance requirements.
Opt-in controls and settings requirements
Microsoft stresses that Copilot Vision remains fully opt-in and only activates when a user chooses to turn it on.
In addition, Copilot Actions for text editing requires a specific toggle:
- Users must enable the Copilot Actions toggle in the Copilot app’s Settings.
Microsoft notes that enabling Copilot Actions also unlocks access to Copilot Actions for long-running tasks, a separate capability available via Copilot Labs.
Version requirements and availability
The rollout is tied to both app and OS versions:
- Copilot app: version 1.25121.60.0 or higher (via the Microsoft Store)
- Windows build: Windows version 26200.6899 or later
Microsoft says the feature is gradually rolling out to Windows Insiders worldwide, excluding the EEA, and that availability may vary by region and channel as the staged deployment progresses.
For users tracking official releases and updates, the relevant platforms are Microsoft Windows, the Microsoft Store, and Microsoft Copilot.
Why this matters: AI assistance that stays inside the workflow
The update reflects a broader shift in AI tooling: moving from “ask a chatbot, then copy/paste” toward contextual, in-place assistance. By letting Copilot observe a shared window and propose edits directly in the active text field, Microsoft is positioning Copilot as a more hands-on companion for writing and editing tasks.
For knowledge workers, the most immediate impact may be speed and consistency—especially for routine edits like:
- Rewriting for tone (formal vs. conversational)
- Clarifying dense paragraphs
- Simplifying instructions or support responses
- Tightening grammar and structure
The feature also arrives as Microsoft continues to expand Copilot experiences across Windows and productivity tools. For a broader look at how Microsoft is framing Copilot’s evolution inside the OS, see our related coverage: Windows 11 Copilot 2.0: Revolutionizing the Future of Work and Productivity.
Privacy and user trust: the importance of opt-in Vision
Screen-aware AI features can raise questions about privacy and data handling, so Microsoft’s repeated emphasis that Copilot Vision is opt-in is significant. In practice, that means users must actively start a Vision session and select a window to share, rather than Copilot passively scanning the desktop.
While Microsoft’s Insider post focuses on functionality and rollout details, the preview-first approach and explicit activation steps are likely intended to reinforce user control—particularly in enterprise or regulated environments where accidental edits or unintended exposure of sensitive information would be a concern.
How to send feedback
Microsoft is asking Insiders to provide feedback directly in the Copilot app:
- Click the profile icon
- Choose “Give feedback”
As with many Insider features, Microsoft says it is “actively refining” the capability based on real-world use and community input.
What to watch next
Because this is a staged Insider rollout, the next signals to watch will be:
- Expansion beyond Insiders to broader Windows audiences
- Whether the EEA exclusion changes over time
- How deeply Copilot Actions integrates with popular editing surfaces across Windows (notes apps, browsers, email clients, and document editors)
For now, eligible Windows Insiders on recent builds can update the Copilot app via the Microsoft Store and look for the Copilot Actions toggle to try the new in-flow text editing experience during Copilot Vision sessions.
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