Microsoft has started testing a new Copilot feature in Windows 11 that can answer questions about your PC’s performance using real-time system data. Dubbed PC Insights, the experimental tool lets you ask, “Why is my computer so slow?” and get a plain-language explanation backed by live diagnostics—provided you give it permission to peek. The rollout, first reported by PCWorld, began this month (July 2026) and is reaching users gradually through the Copilot app.
How PC Insights Turns System Telemetry Into Answers
The feature works as a conversational layer over the hardware and software data that Windows already collects. When you ask a question, Copilot requests access to relevant parts of your system, then composes an answer. It can pull up details like:
- CPU and memory usage (seeing which apps are hogging resources)
- Storage capacity (telling whether you have space for a 100GB game)
- Graphics card model and status
- Connected USB devices and whether they’re recognized
- Network adapter and connectivity
- Battery health and BIOS version
- Antivirus protection state
- Printers and webcams presence
Microsoft’s support documentation says PC Insights only accesses the specific information needed to answer a query, not everything at once. For example, if you ask “Do I have enough free space to install Call of Duty?,” it checks disk capacity. If you ask “Is my webcam working?,” it looks for the camera device.
Unlike continuous-monitoring tools, PC Insights operates on an ask-and-answer basis. It doesn’t track your PC’s behavior behind the scenes. This on-demand design is crucial for privacy-conscious users.
A Helping Hand for Home Users, a Quick Check for Pros, and a Policy Puzzle for Admins
For everyday home users: This is a handy first stop for troubleshooting. Instead of navigating through Task Manager, Settings, Device Manager, and Storage Sense, you can just ask Copilot. It translates geeky metrics into understandable conclusions. If your PC feels sluggish, Copilot might tell you, “Chrome is using 90% of your memory; close some tabs,” or “Your C: drive has only 5GB free; consider cleaning up.” It doesn’t fix the issue, but it points you in the right direction.
For power users and enthusiasts: Copilot’s answers are a baseline, not a replacement for in-depth diagnostics. You’ll still want Resource Monitor, Event Viewer, or vendor utilities for precision. However, PC Insights can serve as a quick sanity check—like when a friend calls you with a tech problem and you can guide them to ask Copilot before diving deeper. Be aware that the answers might be incomplete or slightly off because the feature is experimental.
For IT administrators and managed environments: There’s good news: PC Insights cannot access work email, Teams chats, Microsoft 365 documents, or other organizational data. Microsoft explicitly separates personal PC diagnostics from work profiles. But admins should note that the feature’s permission model is separate from other Copilot settings, and conversation activity may still be used to improve AI models depending on the user’s configuration. You’ll need to decide whether to encourage or block this feature via policy.
The Permission Model: Yes, No, or Always
Privacy is the cornerstone of PC Insights. Every time you ask a system-related question, Copilot prompts for permission before collecting data. You get three choices:
- Allow for this session – Grants one-time access to the relevant system info.
- Always allow similar requests – Lets Copilot automatically access that category without asking again.
- Decline – Copilot won’t peek and will answer generally (if at all).
You can later revoke these permissions in Copilot’s settings. Microsoft states that personal files and system information gathered through PC Insights are not stored or used to train AI models. However, the conversation text itself—your prompts and Copilot’s responses—may be retained and used for model improvement, as per your broader Copilot settings. That’s an important distinction: the raw telemetry is ephemeral, but the chat history isn’t necessarily private.
For anyone handling sensitive data, it’s wise to review your Copilot settings and perhaps toggle off conversation-data usage if you plan to ask PC-related questions that might reveal confidential information.
How We Got Here: The Long Road to On-Device AI
Microsoft has been layering AI onto Windows for years, but this is the first Copilot feature that reads live system telemetry. Windows has always had diagnostic tools, but they were siloed. Cortana could set reminders but never knew your GPU temperature. The shift began with ChatGPT integration in Bing, then Copilot in Windows 11 (version 23H2). Since then, Microsoft has added plugin capabilities and deeper system hooks. PC Insights represents a cautious step toward an AI that actually understands your device context.
The experimental nature is telling. Microsoft knows that giving an AI access to local system data is a red line for many users. So they built in consent prompts and limited scope. It mirrors Apple’s approach with on-device AI, though Microsoft’s implementation remains cloud-dependent.
The technology isn’t entirely new; third-party tools like Speccy or HWInfo have provided detailed system summaries for years. But Copilot lowers the barrier to entry and could reduce support calls and forum posts. As PCWorld noted, it’s a “useful shortcut, not a replacement for troubleshooting.”
What to Do Now: Try It Out (or Keep It Out)
If you’re on Windows 11 and have the Copilot app, you might see PC Insights appear. Here’s a checklist:
- Check availability: Look for a mention of PC Insights in Copilot, or try asking a diagnostic question like “What’s using my CPU right now?” If the feature hasn’t rolled out to you yet, patience is required.
- Test with a safe query: Ask something harmless, like how much free storage you have. See how Copilot responds and whether it asks for permission.
- Review permissions: After testing, go to Copilot settings and see what you’ve allowed. You can revoke anything.
- Manage conversation data: In Copilot settings, check whether your chat activity is being used for model training. Consider turning it off if you’re privacy-sensitive.
- Provide feedback: Since it’s experimental, note any inaccuracies and use the feedback mechanism. This will help Microsoft refine it.
- For admins: Evaluate if this feature aligns with your organization’s data policies. While work data is off-limits, the conversation data aspect might require a policy review.
Remember: PC Insights is not a repair tool. If it identifies a problem, you’ll still need to take manual action—like closing apps, cleaning up disk space, or updating drivers.
Outlook: The Beginning of AI-Powered PC Triage
PC Insights is clearly a trial balloon. If it succeeds, we might see Copilot gain the ability to not just diagnose but also remedy issues, with user consent. Imagine an AI that can automatically free space by cleaning temp files, adjust startup programs, or update drivers. Microsoft is treading carefully, but the direction is set.
For now, users get a friendly translator for Windows’ cryptic system information. It’s a small, welcome convenience—provided you understand what you’re sharing. Keep an eye on future Copilot updates; as the feature matures, it could become a genuine productivity booster or a privacy lightning rod.