Microsoft has announced a new set of artificial intelligence upgrades for Windows 11, introducing voice-enabled interactions with its AI assistant Copilot. The company said the new updates are designed to make computers more conversational and intuitive, as it phases out free security support for Windows 10.
Microsoft officially ended free security updates for Windows 10 this week, though millions of users worldwide continue to rely on the older system. Windows 10 was first launched in 2015, while its successor, Windows 11, arrived in 2021.
To encourage users to upgrade, Microsoft has integrated new AI features into Windows 11, including a voice mode that allows people to say “Hey, Copilot” to start chatting with their computer. The feature enables users to perform tasks, access information, and interact with their PCs hands-free.
Yusuf Mehdi, executive vice president and chief marketing officer at Microsoft, said that talking to computers will soon feel as natural as using a mouse or keyboard. “Conversing with a laptop will be as transformative as the mouse and keyboard in shaping the PC experience,” he said.
Microsoft is also expanding access to Copilot Vision, an AI tool that analyses and provides feedback on documents, video games, and other on-screen activities. The company aims to make Windows a central hub for its suite of generative AI tools, as it continues to compete with Apple, Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic in the AI space.
However, Microsoft’s decision to end free support for Windows 10 has drawn criticism. Consumer groups have warned that millions of older computers will now be vulnerable to cyberattacks or end up discarded, adding to electronic waste.
“With the end of Windows 10, users face the choice between exposing themselves to cyberattacks or discarding their old computers and buying new ones,” said Brenna Stevens from the Oregon State Public Interest Research Group.
Microsoft has said that users can continue receiving security support by paying for an extended plan until October 2026. In some regions, including the European Union, users with cloud synchronisation may receive extended updates at no extra cost.
As Microsoft moves deeper into AI integration, its focus remains on reimagining how users interact with technology, even as debates continue over privacy, accessibility, and the environmental impact of hardware upgrades.
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