You’re deep in a project, your hands glued to the keyboard, when a question pops into your head. Instead of fumbling for a key or clicking an app, you simply say, “Hey, Copilot!” and your AI assistant springs to life, ready to answer. This isn’t science fiction—it’s a feature Microsoft is now testing for Windows 11 users. With the latest update to Copilot, Microsoft’s AI assistant is getting a voice-activated wake word, a move that brings it in line with the likes of Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant.

Voice-activated assistants are nothing new. Apple’s Siri has been responding to “Hey, Siri” since 2014, Amazon’s Alexa has been a household staple for nearly a decade, and Google Assistant has long answered to “OK, Google.” Even Microsoft had a go at it with Cortana, its now-retired virtual assistant, which could be summoned with a similar voice command. But Cortana’s departure left a gap in Microsoft’s ecosystem, one that Copilot—originally launched as a text-based AI tool—has been steadily filling.

Now, Microsoft is taking Copilot to the next level with “Hey, Copilot!” According to a Microsoft blog post, this feature is rolling out to Windows Insiders, the brave souls who test early versions of Windows updates. If you’re an Insider running the latest Copilot app (version 1.25051.10.0 or higher) and have English set as your display language, you might already have access. The catch? You’ll need to opt in and enable the feature manually, a step that ensures users are intentionally inviting Copilot to listen.

Once activated, a floating microphone UI appears at the bottom of your screen, and a chime signals that Copilot is ready to hear you. Say “Hey, Copilot!” and the AI is all ears—well, technically, all microphones. It’s a small but significant step toward making Copilot a seamless part of the Windows experience, especially for those who prefer hands-free operation or want to multitask without breaking their flow.

The tech behind “Hey, Copilot!” is a blend of on-device processing and cloud connectivity, designed with both efficiency and privacy in mind. Microsoft’s FAQ explains that the wake word detection happens entirely on your device, using a 10-second audio buffer to catch the magic phrase. This means Copilot can recognize “Hey, Copilot!” even if you’re offline, a handy feature for users in spotty Wi-Fi zones or those who prefer to keep their devices disconnected when possible.

But here’s the rub: while the wake word detection is local, the actual conversation with Copilot requires an internet connection. Once you say the magic words, your query is sent to Microsoft’s cloud servers for processing, where the AI’s language models work their magic. This hybrid approach keeps your device lightweight while tapping into the power of cloud-based AI for complex tasks like answering questions, generating text, or even helping with coding.

Privacy-conscious users might raise an eyebrow at the audio buffer, but Microsoft is quick to reassure. The 10-second clips aren’t saved locally or sent to the cloud unless the wake word is detected, and even then, it’s just the command that follows. It’s a far cry from the always-listening fears that have dogged other voice assistants, though users should still be mindful of what they say when the microphone is active.

The introduction of “Hey, Copilot!” comes on the heels of Microsoft’s broader push to make Copilot more conversational. Late last year, the company rolled out Copilot Voice, a feature that lets users chat with the AI in a more natural, back-and-forth style. Unlike the text-heavy interface of early Copilot, which felt like typing prompts into a chatbot, Copilot Voice aims to mimic the flow of a real conversation. You can ask follow-up questions, interrupt yourself mid-thought, or even let Copilot riff on an idea—all without touching a keyboard.

This voice-activated wake word is a logical next step. It builds on the momentum of Copilot Voice, which has already made the AI feel less like a tool and more like a companion. For Windows users, this could be a game-changer, especially as Microsoft continues to integrate Copilot deeper into its ecosystem. From Office apps to Edge to the Windows taskbar, Copilot is becoming the glue that ties Microsoft’s products together, and voice activation makes it even stickier.

As exciting as “Hey, Copilot!” sounds, it’s not without limitations. For starters, the feature is still in testing, which means it’s not available to everyone. Windows Insiders get first dibs, but even among them, the rollout is gradual. If you’re not seeing the update, you might need to wait a bit or check that your Copilot app is up to date. And while the feature works globally, it’s currently limited to English, which could frustrate non-English speakers eager to try it out.

Then there’s the internet dependency. While the wake word detection is offline, the actual AI processing isn’t, which could be a dealbreaker for users in remote areas or those who prioritize offline workflows. Plus, as with any voice assistant, there’s the learning curve of figuring out what Copilot can and can’t do.

There’s also the question of adoption. Voice assistants have been around for years, yet many people still prefer typing or clicking. Will “Hey, Copilot!” convince skeptics to give voice a try, or will it remain a niche feature for power users?

To understand the significance of “Hey, Copilot!”, it’s worth zooming out to look at Copilot’s role in Windows. When Microsoft first introduced Copilot in 2023, it was pitched as an AI sidekick for productivity, capable of summarizing documents, generating emails, or even writing code. Since then, it’s evolved into a Swiss Army knife of sorts, with integrations across Microsoft 365, GitHub, and now Windows itself.

The addition of a dedicated Copilot key on some new Windows laptops earlier this year was a bold move, signaling Microsoft’s confidence in the AI’s staying power. But not everyone loves pressing a key to access an assistant, especially when voice is faster and more intuitive for many tasks. By adding “Hey, Copilot!”, Microsoft is giving users another way to interact with the AI, one that feels less like launching an app and more like calling a friend.

This also ties into Microsoft’s broader AI strategy. The company is betting big on AI to differentiate Windows in a crowded market. With Apple pushing AI features in macOS and Google doubling down on ChromeOS, Microsoft needs Windows to stand out. Copilot, with its blend of productivity tools and now voice activation, could be the killer app that keeps users in the Windows ecosystem.

If the Insider testing goes well, “Hey, Copilot!” could roll out to all Windows 11 users in a future update, possibly as part of the next major Windows release. Microsoft hasn’t shared a timeline, but the company’s track record suggests they’re moving fast to refine and expand Copilot’s capabilities. We might also see support for more languages, offline processing for simple tasks, or even tighter integration with other Microsoft apps.

There’s also the potential for Copilot to learn from its rivals. Siri’s recent overhaul with Apple Intelligence, for example, includes contextual awareness that lets it pull info from your emails or calendar. Google Assistant’s Gemini-powered upgrades are leaning into multimodal inputs, like analyzing images or videos. Could Copilot eventually combine voice, text, and visual inputs for a truly seamless experience? Given Microsoft’s resources and partnerships, it’s not a stretch.

For now, “Hey, Copilot!” is a promising step forward, one that makes Windows feel a little more futuristic. Whether you’re a Windows Insider eager to test it or a casual user waiting for the public release, it’s clear Microsoft is listening—literally—to what users want. So, next time you’re stuck on a task, just say the magic words. Copilot might just have the answer.