Introduction

Microsoft has introduced an innovative AI-powered productivity feature called Click to Do in Windows 11, designed specifically for users on the new class of Copilot+ PCs. This new tool is part of a broader vision to integrate on-device AI deeply into the Windows experience, enhancing user productivity while maintaining a strong commitment to privacy and local processing.

What is Click to Do?

Click to Do is a context-aware assistant that allows users to take immediate, intelligent action on any selected text or image on their screen. By leveraging the computing power of Copilot+ PCs—which feature on-device neural processing units—Click to Do can recognize content on-screen and provide tailored productivity options, such as text summarization, rewriting, image editing, and direct application integrations.

Unlike Microsoft’s To Do app that focuses on task management, Click to Do is designed to empower users to dynamically interact with varied content in real-time, thereby streamlining workflows and minimizing the need for context switching.

Key Features of Click to Do

  • Text Actions: Users can copy text, run web searches, open URLs instantly, draft emails, or perform intelligent text manipulations like summarization and rewriting using an on-device language model named Phi Silica. These text actions are especially enhanced on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ devices.
  • Image Actions: Users can copy images, save them, share across platforms, or perform edits such as removing objects or backgrounds in integrated apps like Photos and Paint.
  • Multi-Modal Access: Click to Do is accessible via keyboard shortcuts (Windows key + mouse click or Windows key + Q), touch gestures (swiping in from the screen edge on touch devices), and integration with system tools such as the Snipping Tool and taskbar search.
  • Enterprise Control: IT administrators can govern the use of Click to Do through administrative policies, guaranteeing security and compliance in enterprise environments.

The AI Context: Supporting Tools and Features

Click to Do complements another major AI-powered feature called Recall, which captures periodic snapshots of user activities—covering apps, documents, websites, and images—to enable semantic, content-based searching of past activities. Recall requires explicit user opt-in and leverages Windows Hello authentication to secure user data locally.

Together, these tools represent a step toward creating truly context-aware workspaces that reduce cognitive overload by anticipating user needs and making PC interaction smarter and more intuitive.

Technical Details and Hardware Compatibility

Click to Do operates on local AI models running on onboard Neural Processing Units (NPUs) with computing capabilities of over 40 TOPS (tera operations per second). This ensures operations occur efficiently and offline, preserving user privacy by avoiding cloud-based data transmission.

Currently, these features are available on specific devices branded as Copilot+ PCs, including those powered by Snapdragon, AMD, and Intel processors with AI accelerators.

Privacy and Security Considerations

Microsoft places privacy at the forefront with Click to Do and associated AI features:

  • Opt-in Activation: Users must explicitly enable features such as Recall and Click to Do.
  • Local Processing: All AI computations and snapshot storage happen on-device, ensuring that sensitive data is not transmitted to the cloud unless explicitly authorized.
  • Windows Hello Authentication: Secures access to personal snapshots and AI-processed data.
  • User Control: Users have full authority to pause, limit, or delete the snapshot captures and AI interactions.

These measures help mitigate privacy concerns while fostering user trust and compliance with regulatory standards.

Implications for User Productivity and Enterprise Adoption

Click to Do, as part of Windows 11's broader AI initiative, promises to significantly enhance productivity by:

  • Reducing friction in managing and interacting with diverse on-screen information.
  • Allowing users to perform complex edits and data retrieval tasks without leaving their current context.
  • Empowering enterprises with policy controls to safely deploy AI-driven tools.

The context-aware, AI-powered assistant model reflects Microsoft’s drive to make Windows 11 a smarter and more intuitive operating system that anticipates and assists user actions at a granular level.

Conclusion

Click to Do is an exciting leap forward in the integration of AI within Windows 11, blending advanced on-device AI capabilities with a privacy-first design philosophy to create a powerful productivity tool. As this feature evolves and becomes more widely available beyond the Copilot+ ecosystem, it could redefine how millions interact with their PCs daily—transforming routine multitasking into seamless, intelligent workflows.

References for Further Reading:

  • Windows 11 KB5055627 Update Overview: New AI Features Including Click to Do and Recall
  • Exploring Click to Do: AI-Powered Productivity Tool in Windows 11 Insider Builds
  • How Copilot and Click to Do Enhance Privacy and AI Productivity on Copilot+ PCs

For more in-depth technical and product updates, users and IT professionals should monitor official Microsoft Windows Insider Program announcements and documentation as these features continue their phased rollout worldwide.