Microsoft is introducing a new docking feature for the Windows 11 Copilot app. This update allows users to pin Copilot to the left or right edge of the screen and automatically resize other open apps to create more space.
The feature was first spotted by Windows Latest and is gradually being rolled out to users. It brings Copilot’s interface closer to its original Windows 11 sidebar design from 2024.
By default, Copilot still opens as a standalone app. The new docking options can be accessed through a drop-down menu in the title bar.
How the New Windows 11 Copilot Docking Works
(Credit: WindowsLatest)
Hovering over the new menu in the Copilot title bar reveals layout options specific to Copilot, separate from the native Snap Layouts used for standard app windows.
The available layouts are: the current experience, where Copilot appears as a standalone app; the existing picture-in-picture mode, where Copilot stays as a small window on top of other apps; a new option to dock Copilot to the left side of the screen; and a new option to dock Copilot to the right side of the screen.
When Copilot is docked, the Windows 11 interface automatically resizes to accommodate it. Other open apps reposition to fill the remaining space. Windows Latest reported that even a full-screen File Explorer window resizes to leave room for a docked Copilot panel.
Once docked, Copilot remains pinned to the screen edge, and the desktop adjusts around it. Unlike the original 2024 sidebar, this version offers more control over placement, including options to dock on the left or right or to use picture-in-picture mode.
A Return to the Original Copilot Sidebar Design and What It Means for Users
Copilot has undergone several redesigns on Windows 11. The latest update introduces a new docking layout that restores the original 2024 sidebar concept, where Copilot sits alongside apps rather than floating as a separate window.
The original sidebar was built using web technologies and had limited integration with other applications, which led to its replacement by a standalone Copilot app.
This app was later converted back into a web-based version. According to Windows Latest, the current version of Copilot on Windows is an Edge-based wrapper that includes a private copy of Microsoft Edge. The reason for bundling a separate Edge instance is not clear, but it may be intended to support the new docking experience.
The docking option is optional. Users who prefer not to have Copilot taking up screen space can continue using it as a standalone app or close it completely.
For those who want Copilot visible alongside their work, including features like Copilot Vision that analyze on-screen content, the docked layout ensures it stays accessible without the need to manually resize windows.
Microsoft has not confirmed whether Copilot will automatically dock when certain features like Copilot Vision are enabled. The rollout of the feature is gradual, so not all users will see the docking options right away.
Microsoft has also not published a full timeline or detailed documentation for this change.
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