Microsoft is rolling out an updated version of Copilot for Windows 11, transitioning from the previous native application to a web-based model that runs a full instance of Microsoft Edge. This change marks a notable shift in Copilot’s architecture on the platform.
Earlier iterations of Copilot featured sidebar tools and native WinUI applications. The latest version is now available through the Microsoft Store, where downloading it initiates a separate installer process similar to the Microsoft Edge installation. This process automatically uninstalls the older native Copilot app before installing the new one.
The redesigned Copilot interface mirrors its web counterpart and functions as a hybrid web application. It utilizes WebView2 technology to render its interface while running on a dedicated Edge-based runtime environment. Testing reveals that this new version demands considerably more system resources than its predecessor.
While the previous native app typically consumed under 100MB of RAM, the updated Copilot uses around 500MB in the background, with memory usage rising to roughly 1GB during active operation. Additionally, the new package includes a complete Microsoft Edge installation rather than leveraging the system’s existing browser framework.
The installation directory takes up about 850MB of disk space and contains all necessary Edge components, including executables like msedge.exe, browser subsystems, extensions, and DRM modules. This hybrid design, powered by WebView2 and the bundled Edge runtime, offers enhanced responsiveness compared to standard web applications but results in a significant increase in overall system resource consumption.
