A Copilot+ PC is a Windows 11 laptop with enough on device AI power to run Microsoft’s local AI features. However, the label confuses many buyers. Some laptops have a Copilot key but no Copilot+ features, and in September 2026 Microsoft even started to drop the Copilot+ name from new Surface devices.
So what do you actually get? This guide lists every Copilot+ PC feature in late 2026, shows which features work on any Windows 11 PC, and explains how to check your own laptop in two minutes. If you want the bigger picture first, read our explainer on what an AI PC is.
Copilot+ PC requirements
According to Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC page, a Copilot+ PC needs:
- An NPU (neural processing unit) rated at 40 TOPS or more
- At least 16GB of RAM
- At least 256GB of SSD storage
- Windows 11 version 24H2 or newer
In other words, every Copilot+ PC runs Windows 11, but most Windows 11 PCs are not Copilot+ PCs.
Several chip families meet the bar. These include Snapdragon X and X2, Intel Core Ultra 200V and Core Ultra Series 3, and AMD Ryzen AI 300 and 400. For example, Snapdragon X2 Elite reaches 80 TOPS, while Intel’s Series 3 chips sit at about 46 to 50 TOPS. You can compare the chips in our NPU vs GPU guide.
Full list of Copilot+ PC features
The table below shows the features that still need a Copilot+ PC in October 2026.
| Feature | What it does |
|---|---|
| Recall | Takes snapshots of your screen so you can search past activity in plain words |
| Click to Do | Acts on text or images on screen, for example summarise, rewrite or remove a background |
| Improved Windows Search | Finds files and settings when you describe them, such as “photos of a beach” |
| Live Captions with translation | Translates audio from 40+ languages into English captions in real time |
| Windows Studio Effects | Adds background blur, eye contact and auto framing to the built in camera |
| Cocreator in Paint | Turns a rough sketch plus a text prompt into an image |
| Restyle and Image Creator in Photos | Changes the style of a photo or creates new images |
| Super resolution in Photos | Sharpens and enlarges low resolution photos |
| Auto Super Resolution | Upscales supported games for smoother frame rates |
| Agent in Settings | Lets you change settings by typing what you want, such as “my mouse is too slow” |
Some features have extra rules. For instance, Recall needs Windows Hello Enhanced Sign in Security and 50GB of free space, and Studio Effects needs a built in camera. In addition, Auto Super Resolution currently works only on Snapdragon and Intel Core Ultra Series 3 models.
Privacy matters most with Recall. Our Windows Recall guide explains how to turn it on, filter apps and delete snapshots.
AI features that work on any Windows 11 PC
Many people assume they need a new laptop for Copilot. In fact, they do not. These tools run on any Windows 11 PC, according to Microsoft’s Windows blog and its Windows AI features page:
- The Copilot app, which works through the cloud
- “Hey Copilot” voice activation, which you switch on yourself
- Copilot Vision, which can look at a shared window and help you with it
- Smart features in Snipping Tool and voice access
In 2026, Narrator also started to describe images through Copilot on all Windows 11 PCs, outside the EEA. Copilot+ PCs still get faster, on device descriptions. As a result, the real gap between a Copilot+ PC and a normal PC is local, private and offline AI, not access to Copilot itself.
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Is the Copilot+ PC brand going away?
Partly. In September 2026, Microsoft said its new Surface Pro 12 inch and Surface Laptop 13 inch would not carry the Copilot+ PC name, even though they meet the same requirements. Qualcomm also suggested the badge may fade out.
However, the feature set is not going away. On 7 October 2026, Microsoft announced “hybrid intelligence” features for Windows, including local context, local actions and on device models. Microsoft says these will reach Copilot+ PCs in the coming months. Therefore, the hardware bar still matters even if the sticker disappears. When you shop, look for “40+ TOPS NPU” and 16GB of RAM rather than the badge.
How to check if your laptop is a Copilot+ PC
You can check in a few minutes:
- Open Task Manager. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, go to Performance and look for “NPU 0”. No NPU means no Copilot+ features.
- Check the chip. Open Settings, then System, then About. Search the processor name and confirm its NPU is rated at 40 TOPS or more.
- Check the memory. The same About page shows installed RAM. You need at least 16GB.
- Try a feature. Open Paint and look for Cocreator, or open Photos and look for Restyle. If both are missing on an updated PC while you are signed in and online, it is probably not a Copilot+ PC.
Keep one point in mind: a Copilot key on the keyboard is not proof. Many laptops have that key, and it only opens the Copilot app.
Should you buy a Copilot+ PC in 2026?
For most buyers, yes, because the price gap has almost vanished. Many mid range laptops now ship with 40+ TOPS NPUs, and the 16GB RAM floor alone is worth having. In addition, new Windows AI features will target this class of hardware first.
On the other hand, you do not need one if you mainly use cloud tools like ChatGPT, Gemini or the Copilot app. Those run on almost any laptop. Likewise, heavy local AI work, such as running large models, depends more on GPU and memory than on the NPU. For that, see our guide to running AI locally.
Which chip should you pick? Snapdragon X2 laptops lead on battery life, while Intel and AMD models offer the widest app support. Our guides to Snapdragon X2 Elite laptops and Intel Core Ultra laptops compare them in detail.
FAQ
Is every new Windows 11 laptop a Copilot+ PC?
No. A Copilot+ PC needs an NPU of at least 40 TOPS, 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. Many budget laptops still miss the NPU or memory requirement.
Does a Copilot key mean my PC is a Copilot+ PC?
No. The key simply opens the Copilot app. Check Task Manager for an NPU and confirm its TOPS rating and your RAM instead.
Can my older PC use Copilot?
Yes. The Copilot app, “Hey Copilot” and Copilot Vision work on any Windows 11 PC. Only the local features in the table above need Copilot+ hardware.
Is Microsoft dropping Copilot+ PCs?
Microsoft is dropping the brand name on some new devices, but not the feature set. New hybrid AI features in Windows still target PCs that meet the 40 TOPS bar.