microsoft is introducing a new docking feature for the windows 11 Copilot application. This update allows users to set Co-pilot to the left or right edge of the screen and automatically resizes other open apps to create more space.
The feature was first spotted by Windows Latest and is gradually rolling out to users. Brings the Copilot interface closer to its original Windows 11 sidebar design from 2024.
By default, Copilot still opens as a standalone application. The new docking options can be accessed through a drop-down menu in the title bar.
How the new Windows 11 co-pilot docking works
(Credit: WindowsLatest)
Hovering over the new menu in the Copilot title bar displays Copilot-specific layout options, independent of the native Snap layouts used for standard application windows.
The available layouts are: the current experience, where Copilot appears as a standalone application; the existing picture-in-picture mode, where Copilot remains as a small window on top of other applications; 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 fit it. Other open apps are repositioned to fill the remaining space. Windows Latest reported that even a full-screen File Explorer window resizes to make room for a docked Copilot panel.
Once docked, Copilot remains attached to the edge of the screen and the desktop adjusts around it. Unlike the original 2024 sidebar, this version offers more control over placement, including options to dock left or right or use picture-in-picture mode.
A return to the original Copilot sidebar design and what it means for users
Copilot has gone through several redesigns in Windows 11. The latest update features a new docking design that restores the original sidebar concept from 2024, where Copilot sits next to apps instead of floating as a separate window.
The original sidebar was built using web technologies and had limited integration with other apps, leading to its replacement with a standalone Copilot app.
This application was later converted back into a web-based version. According to Windows Latest, the current version of Copilot on Windows is an Edge-based container that includes a private copy of Microsoft Edge. The reason for clustering a separate Edge is unclear, but it may be intended to support the new docking experience.
Docking option is optional. Users who prefer Copilot not to take up screen space can continue using it as a standalone app or close it completely.
For those who want Copilot to be visible alongside their work, including features like Copilot Vision that analyzes on-screen content, the docked layout ensures it remains 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 feature rollout is gradual, so not all users will see the docking options right away.
Microsoft has also not released a complete timeline or detailed documentation for this change.
