Microsoft Adds Copilot Agents To Taskbar

Microsoft unveiled 'Ask Copilot,' an optional Windows 11 taskbar feature that replaces Windows Search and surfaces AI 'agents' triggered by '@' to search files, emails, and meetings. The company confirmed Microsoft 365 Copilot integration in File Explorer, a Researcher agent powered by ChatGPT's Deep Research with 10+ minute background runs, and taskbar progress indicators; these features begin rolling out to users in the coming weeks.