Microsoft is experimenting with a new Windows 11 Copilot design that brings the AI assistant back to the side of the screen, marking another major shift in how the company wants users to interact with Copilot on the desktop.
The latest test introduces a docked Copilot sidebar, giving Windows 11 users the option to pin the AI assistant to either the left or right edge of the display. While Copilot currently opens as a floating window by default, the updated app adds new layout controls through a drop-down menu in the title bar.
Users can choose between four display modes: the standard floating window, picture-in-picture mode, docked to the left side, or docked to the right side. When Copilot is docked, Windows 11 automatically adjusts the rest of the desktop so open apps resize and fit into the remaining space. This creates a more integrated experience, making Copilot feel like a persistent part of the operating system rather than a separate app hovering over the desktop.
Although the new docked mode looks similar to Windows 11 Snap Layouts, it appears to work independently from Microsoft’s built-in window management system. Once pinned, Copilot remains fixed at the edge of the screen while other apps rearrange themselves around it. This could make it easier for users to ask questions, summarize content, generate text, or get assistance without constantly switching windows.
The feature is currently rolling out gradually through a Copilot app update, meaning not all Windows 11 users will see it right away. Microsoft has not yet confirmed when, or if, the docked Copilot sidebar will become available to everyone in a stable release.
The change is notable because it feels like a return to Copilot’s original Windows 11 design. When Microsoft first introduced Copilot on Windows 11 in 2023, it appeared as a sidebar that lived alongside open apps. Since then, the assistant has gone through several interface changes, including a floating app design, web-based versions, native app experiments, and an Edge-based implementation.
The current Copilot app is built using an Edge-based wrapper and includes its own bundled private copy of Microsoft Edge. Microsoft has not explained whether this setup is directly related to the new docking feature, but the design shift suggests the company is still trying to find the best way to make Copilot useful without making it feel intrusive.
This latest test also arrives at an interesting time. Microsoft has recently reduced Copilot’s presence in some areas of Windows 11, removing AI assistant buttons from apps such as Notepad, Snipping Tool, and Photos. At the same time, the company is now testing a layout that places Copilot more prominently on the desktop again.
That mixed approach shows Microsoft may still be refining its long-term AI strategy for Windows. On one hand, the company appears to be pulling back from placing Copilot buttons everywhere. On the other hand, a docked sidebar could make the assistant more accessible for users who want AI help available at all times.
The redesigned Copilot sidebar could be useful for productivity-focused users, especially those who rely on multitasking. A docked assistant can stay visible while users work on documents, browse the web, manage files, or compare information across apps. Instead of opening and closing Copilot repeatedly, users could keep it ready on the side of the screen.
However, not everyone may welcome the return of a persistent AI panel. Some Windows 11 users prefer a cleaner desktop and may see the docked sidebar as unnecessary clutter. The good news is that the feature appears to be optional, at least in its current test form, with the floating window remaining the default behavior.
Microsoft has also not clarified whether Copilot Vision, a feature designed to let the AI understand what is on the user’s screen, will automatically use the docked layout. If the two features eventually work together, Copilot could become more context-aware and interactive, but privacy-conscious users will likely want clear controls over when screen visibility is enabled.
Beyond Copilot, Windows 11 users should also pay attention to upcoming system updates. Secure Boot certificates used by Windows devices are set to begin expiring on June 24, and devices that have not received recent updates could potentially run into boot-related problems. Keeping Windows 11 updated will be important as Microsoft continues rolling out both security fixes and new features.
For now, the docked Copilot sidebar remains a test feature with a limited rollout. Still, it signals that Microsoft has not given up on deeply integrating AI into Windows 11. Whether this design becomes a permanent part of the operating system will depend on user feedback, performance, and how well Microsoft balances convenience with desktop simplicity.
