Microsoft Copilot to gain local file access and system operation capabilities
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On October 8, 2026, The Verge reported that Microsoft outlined its upgrade plan for Copilot at its Windows and Surface event: Copilot will be able to access local files on the PC and perform actions across the Windows system. This capability is based on what Microsoft calls Hybrid Intelligence, a scheme in which local and cloud models work together. Microsoft said the features will roll out in the coming months. This is Microsoft's latest move to push AI assistants deeper into the operating system layer, so that Copilot is no longer limited to conversations and cloud tasks, but can directly read file contents on the user's device and perform system-level operations. Microsoft has not yet announced details of a specific launch timeline, nor did the report explain how the feature will handle privacy and permissions issues.
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- The Verge · AIMicrosoft is giving Copilot more control over Windows and your files
At its Windows and Surface event, Microsoft previewed Copilot upgrades that will let the AI access files on your PC and take actions across the system, using a Hybrid Intelligence approach that blends local and cloud models, with features rolling out over the coming months.