There’s been a lot of buzz lately about hiding Copilot in Windows and using tools to remove it completely. It seems that some people are not fans of AI and would rather not have to deal with it.
Interestingly, Microsoft has recently launched Copilot for Mac. While Windows users are trying to get rid of Microsoft’s AI tool, Mac users are being encouraged to install it. In the spirit of fairness, I’m going to take a different approach and discuss setting up Copilot on your Mac. However, unless you’re a big fan of Copilot, I would advise against using this app.
Copilot for Mac is about what you’d expect
Copilot for Mac is essentially the web version of Copilot in a dedicated Mac window. You can easily sign into your Microsoft account and start interacting with the virtual assistant. There are a few Mac-specific features, such as a system-wide keyboard shortcut (Option-Space) that allows you to quickly send a message to Copilot in a small pop-up overlay. You can even customize the keyboard shortcut if you prefer. This functionality is similar to how ChatGPT’s launcher works on its desktop app.
Credit: Justin Pot
Additionally, there’s a menu bar icon that allows you to access the same pop-up window. The application also adapts to your Mac’s Appearance setting, so if you switch to Dark Mode, Copilot will follow suit.
However, these are the main Mac integration features available. Unlike ChatGPT’s Mac app, Copilot for Mac doesn’t have a screenshot button, which is a bit disappointing. With ChatGPT, you can ask about things on your screen and get relevant information. With Copilot, you’ll need to take the screenshot yourself and upload it. If you don’t find the keyboard shortcut particularly useful, you might as well stick to the web version of Copilot.
With Copilot, you can perform various tasks typically associated with large language model chatbots like ChatGPT or Claude. This includes coding, research, and even cheating on homework. The free version of Copilot also provides access to current information from the web, so you can ask about current events and sports. However, there aren’t many Mac-specific reasons to install the app.
For comparison, here’s a screenshot of Copilot for Mac speculating about NHL trade rumors:
Credit: Justin Pot
And here’s the Windows version, which showcases some recommended Game Boy Advance games:
Credit: Justin Pot
As you can see, they’re pretty much the same. If you enjoy using Copilot on Windows, you’ll likely have a similar experience on Mac. If you’re curious about Copilot and haven’t tried it yet, I recommend starting with the web version. It offers essentially the same functionality and doesn’t require any storage space on your hard drive.
