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Everyone's Freaking Out About Microsoft's Leaked AI Windows. They Shouldn't Be

Plus, 35 Hidden Windows 11 Features Microsoft Never Told You About


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Plus, 35 Hidden Windows 11 Features Microsoft Never Told You About
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PCMag Windows Guide

Everyone's Freaking Out About Microsoft's Leaked AI Windows. They Shouldn't Be

Everyone’s talking about Project Aion this week because of a leaked video from 2024 in which Microsoft shows off an AI-focused Windows desktop experience. In this experimental OS, Copilot replaces the Start menu, and only Microsoft Edge web apps can run. Is this the future? I don't think so, and I'll tell you why.

Microsoft made no secret about its plans for the future at Build. Yes, the company thinks agentic AI is the destiny for Windows. But Microsoft is also betting on Windows desktop apps and improving the desktop experience first. Based on conversations I’ve had with Microsoft executives over the past few months, I doubt they have plans to launch a Copilot-focused AI operating system that exclusively runs web apps. Even if the company was moving in that direction a few years ago, it's just not the focus right now, as far as I can tell.

Windows will surely get more AI features in the years to come, just like Google’s Googlebook OS, macOS Golden Gate, and even the Ubuntu Linux desktop. But Microsoft probably won’t delete the Start menu or force you away from traditional Windows applications any time soon.

Read on for my take on what Project Aion means for Microsoft and other big news from the company this week.

- Chris Hoffman, Senior Editor

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WINDOWS TIPS & TRICKS

35 Hidden Windows 11 Features Microsoft Never Told You About

These 35 hidden features unlock smarter workflows, better customization, and surprisingly useful tools already built into Windows 11.

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