Microsoft's plan to revolutionize PCs with its Copilot+ AI initiative has fizzled out, leaving behind only modest achievements.
It was clear from the start that Microsoft's vision for a premium PC experience relying on artificial intelligence was based on flawed assumptions. Most consumers aren't as enthusiastic about AI features as tech companies are willing to convince them to be. Moreover, these features haven't been particularly compelling. The Recall feature, which saves screenshots of your PC and creates a database of everything you've done, has been plagued by privacy concerns from the get-go. As for its ability to remember files and websites you've opened, it hasn't really proven useful.
Given the current economic climate, consumers weren't willing to shell out extra cash for Copilot+ systems either. In fact, according to Mercury Research, Copilot+ accounted for less than 10% of systems shipped in the third quarter of 2024. The IDC found that Copilot+ systems made up just 2.3% of Windows machines sold in the first quarter of 2025 and a mere 1.9% of all PC sales.
In an effort to shift focus, Microsoft is now aiming to make every Windows 11 computer an AI-powered machine, with cloud-based voice commands and Copilot Vision features that don't require powerful neural processing units (NPUs). The company had previously touted NPUs as the key to unlocking more useful AI features like Recall and Windows Studio webcam effects. However, only one of its new AI capabilities actually requires an NPU.
Despite a lackluster start, Microsoft's effort has led to some positive changes. For instance, the Copilot+ program spurred Microsoft to revamp Windows for mobile Arm processors, which has improved performance on devices like the Surface Pro and smaller models.
However, it seems that consumers just aren't that excited about AI-powered PCs yet. The steady progression of hardware will still lead to AI PCs dominating in the next five years, with Omdia predicting that 55% of computers shipped in 2026 will be AI-powered. By 2029, this number is expected to reach 75%, giving Windows 80% of the market share.
Omdia research analyst Kieren Jessop noted that the steep adoption curve for AI PCs is driven more by product roadmaps than consumer demand. Businesses and consumers are more likely to purchase a device with an NPU by chance, rather than specifically for its AI capabilities. While Microsoft was right in acknowledging that AI PCs are the future, it appears that onboard NPUs are becoming less relevant due to cloud-based power.
The only way AI features will become truly useful is when they can be processed locally without relying on the cloud, such as transcribing sensitive audio instead of sending it remotely. Until then, these workloads remain relatively niche and not enough to make Copilot+ a success by any measure.
It was clear from the start that Microsoft's vision for a premium PC experience relying on artificial intelligence was based on flawed assumptions. Most consumers aren't as enthusiastic about AI features as tech companies are willing to convince them to be. Moreover, these features haven't been particularly compelling. The Recall feature, which saves screenshots of your PC and creates a database of everything you've done, has been plagued by privacy concerns from the get-go. As for its ability to remember files and websites you've opened, it hasn't really proven useful.
Given the current economic climate, consumers weren't willing to shell out extra cash for Copilot+ systems either. In fact, according to Mercury Research, Copilot+ accounted for less than 10% of systems shipped in the third quarter of 2024. The IDC found that Copilot+ systems made up just 2.3% of Windows machines sold in the first quarter of 2025 and a mere 1.9% of all PC sales.
In an effort to shift focus, Microsoft is now aiming to make every Windows 11 computer an AI-powered machine, with cloud-based voice commands and Copilot Vision features that don't require powerful neural processing units (NPUs). The company had previously touted NPUs as the key to unlocking more useful AI features like Recall and Windows Studio webcam effects. However, only one of its new AI capabilities actually requires an NPU.
Despite a lackluster start, Microsoft's effort has led to some positive changes. For instance, the Copilot+ program spurred Microsoft to revamp Windows for mobile Arm processors, which has improved performance on devices like the Surface Pro and smaller models.
However, it seems that consumers just aren't that excited about AI-powered PCs yet. The steady progression of hardware will still lead to AI PCs dominating in the next five years, with Omdia predicting that 55% of computers shipped in 2026 will be AI-powered. By 2029, this number is expected to reach 75%, giving Windows 80% of the market share.
Omdia research analyst Kieren Jessop noted that the steep adoption curve for AI PCs is driven more by product roadmaps than consumer demand. Businesses and consumers are more likely to purchase a device with an NPU by chance, rather than specifically for its AI capabilities. While Microsoft was right in acknowledging that AI PCs are the future, it appears that onboard NPUs are becoming less relevant due to cloud-based power.
The only way AI features will become truly useful is when they can be processed locally without relying on the cloud, such as transcribing sensitive audio instead of sending it remotely. Until then, these workloads remain relatively niche and not enough to make Copilot+ a success by any measure.
...one minute its all hype about copilot+ and then u find out its just a bunch of features that nobody really uses lol...but i gotta give credit to microsoft 4 trying, at least they're not giving up 
. some good changes came from it tho, like windows for mobile arm processors 
. maybe their new plan w/ cloud-based voice commands is a step in the right direction? only time'll tell if it makes a difference 
I remember when Microsoft first announced Copilot+, I was like "okay, cool, more power to the tech giants" 
but now it's just been a slow burn. The whole Recall feature was a mess from the start - people didn't wanna give up their private pics and files for some AI assistant 
It's like they're trying to convince us that we need more tech just 'cause it's there... meanwhile, the cloud is where it's at and those are the ones doing all the heavy lifting 
but at the end of the day, we're still a ways off from having AI-powered PCs that make our lives easier... and I think we'll see more of those things in the cloud than on our desktops 
That's like, what, 10 years from now? It feels like we're moving at a snail's pace here... I guess time will tell if Microsoft gets it right next time around 
. The Recall feature is just too creepy and privacy-wise, you know? And yeah, it's been weird to see how little traction it's gotten so far.
. The cloud-based power thing makes sense, and if they can figure out how to process those workloads locally... that's when things will get really interesting 
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#GamingIsKey, the real gaming enthusiasts aren't that concerned about saving their screenshots or remembering files they've opened. They just wanna play smooth games at high FPS, you know? 
It's like they're saying 'Hey, I care about my PC performance' rather than 'I want AI-powered features' #GamerGoals #PCgaming
. Most people aren't into paying extra for fancy AI features that don't really add much value. I mean, who needs Recall or webcam effects on their PC? It's just not a must-have for most users, you feel me? 
That's not exactly a roaring success.
. They did push to revamp Windows for mobile Arm processors, which has improved performance on smaller devices like the Surface Pro. That's some solid tech right there 
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. Microsoft thought they could just force-feed us this AI tech and people would jump on it like it was going out of style, but nope. The market isn't that gullible 
. You've got to give credit where credit is due, though - the fact that Microsoft shifted focus and started making more practical changes to Windows has been a breath of fresh air.
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. Process it locally and we're good 
think they were gonna change the game with AI on PCs but honestly its just not that exciting for most ppl 
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. They're now making AI-powered features more accessible, like cloud-based voice commands 
. According to Omdia, 55% of computers shipped in 2026 will be AI-powered, and by 2029, that number is expected to hit 75%! 
That's some serious growth 
Mark my words, in 5 years' time we'll be stuck with a bunch of AI-powered PCs collecting dust on desks everywhere... 
. And let's be real, who needs recall features when you can just use a decent search bar? 
. We want our PCs to be efficient, not complicated. Give me a laptop that can last all day without needing a reboot, and I'm set 
. They did revamp Windows for mobile Arm processors, which was a nice move 
. I mean, Microsoft needs to rethink its strategy and stop trying to shoehorn AI into every aspect of Windows 
. And yeah, the cost is a major factor - if you're not getting some actual benefits from those fancy AI features, why shell out extra cash? 
. That's definitely something I can get behind 
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