Microsoft is extending its Copilot+ PC features to machines powered by AMD and Intel processors, expanding its AI strategy beyond Snapdragon exclusivity. But eligibility is restricted: only devices with neural processing units (NPUs) capable of delivering at least 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS) can qualify.
That requirement limits access to systems with Intel Core Ultra 200V or AMD Ryzen AI 300 chips—excluding many recent PCs from this update despite their high-end specs.
This rollout marks a shift in Microsoft’s approach to Copilot+. Previously tied exclusively to Qualcomm-based systems, the new hardware compatibility broadens access while reinforcing a clear performance threshold.
Feature Availability and Hardware Thresholds
With the new support, key Copilot+ tools such as Cocreator in Paint, Live Captions, Recall, and an upgraded AI file search are coming to qualifying AMD and Intel PCs.
These features rely on on-device NPUs to operate offline while keeping user data local. However, Microsoft has confirmed that not all features will be available to all devices at launch. In particular, Voice Access enhancements and Simplified Chinese translations remain exclusive to Snapdragon-based PCs, with broader support expected later in 2025.
Microsoft defines Copilot+ PCs as a new tier of AI-capable devices, explicitly requiring NPUs with at least 40 TOPS.
That requirement excludes most current-gen Intel and AMD machines that lack dedicated NPUs, even if other specs are up to date. It’s a decision that has led to some user confusion over branding versus actual feature access.
Recall’s Promise—And Its Growing Pains
The AI-powered Recall feature for Copilot+ PCs allows users to search past activity using natural language by capturing periodic screenshots of open apps, browser tabs, and files. These snapshots are encrypted and stored locally, and Microsoft began testing Recall on AMD and Intel Copilot+ PCs in December 2024 as part of a preview build for Windows Insiders.
The company claims snapshots are protected by TPM-based encryption and isolated via Virtualization-Based Security (VBS). But the feature’s filtering mechanisms have come under fire. Recall frequently failed to block sensitive information—such as login credentials and credit card numbers—even with filters enabled. Testing found that content displayed in Notepad, PDF forms, and even custom HTML pages was improperly stored.
The company’s controlled rollout approach, using its Control Feature Rollout (CFR) framework, means Recall and other features will first reach a subset of users before broader deployment—another factor affecting when and how users experience Copilot+ capabilities.
Redesigned Copilot UI and Local File Search
Alongside hardware expansion, Microsoft has given Copilot itself a major overhaul. In early March, the company transitioned the Copilot app from a Progressive Web App (PWA) to a native XAML-based interface with improved responsiveness, persistent chat history, and awareness of the Windows version it’s running on.
The UI now docks as a side panel and integrates more tightly with Windows workflows. Microsoft is also shipping a dedicated Copilot key on select keyboards to make it more accessible at the hardware level.
In parallel, a new AI file search feature has begun rolling out to supported devices. Introduced in January 2025 Insider builds, the tool enables users to search for local files by describing their content in natural language—like “invoice with green bar chart” or “email about travel budget.”
Processing is handled entirely on-device using the NPU, keeping the experience fast and private. While cloud integration (e.g., OneDrive) is planned for future updates, the current version is limited to indexed local files.
Snapdragon Performance Struggles and Gaming Pushback
Microsoft originally launched Copilot+ PCs with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chips at the center of its strategy. These ARM-based processors were marketed for their high-efficiency NPUs and strong AI capabilities. However, the early rollout was marred by hardware limitations and user frustration.
Snapdragon-powered systems often fall short of promised specs, liked despite being marketed as capable of 4K output at 120Hz, many cap out at 60Hz for external displays—undermining expectations among power users and creators.
Gaming performance also lags. Although Microsoft built an emulation layer called Prism to support x86 titles on ARM, only about half of 1,300 tested games function reliably end of 2024. Anti-cheat systems created additional friction. While Epic Games later partnered with Qualcomm to bring Fortnite to Windows on ARM via updated Easy Anti-Cheat support, broader compatibility challenges remain.
This inconsistent experience likely contributed to Microsoft’s urgency to widen Copilot+ hardware support and mitigate reliance on a single architecture. The move to bring AMD and Intel into the fold is as much a diversification play as a user experience safeguard.
Oems Embrace Copilot+ and New Form Factors
Several hardware makers are now shipping or announcing Copilot+ PCs built around AMD and Intel chips. Acer’s Swift Go 14 AI and Swift Go 16 AI laptops, for example, are available with Ryzen AI 7 350 processors. These models expand beyond the earlier Snapdragon-only Swift Go lineup shown in 2024.
Meanwhile, Microsoft is bringing Copilot+ capabilities to smaller devices. Asus introduced the NUC 14 Pro AI at CES 2025, a mini PC that meets Copilot+ requirements. Other manufacturers like Geekom are offering small form factor PCs powered by Snapdragon and AMD chips, highlighting the ecosystem’s growing footprint.
These new entries help position Copilot+ as more than just a spec sheet. They serve as proof points for Microsoft’s evolving idea of what an AI-capable Windows device should look like, regardless of form factor.
Performance Consistency—And the Road Ahead
Microsoft’s shift to hardware-level AI acceleration through NPUs underscores a broader goal: to make Windows an AI-native operating system. Processing AI tasks locally offers latency and privacy benefits over cloud-based models, but it’s also dependent on tight hardware integration. That’s why the company is setting aggressive performance baselines and controlling feature releases via Insider testing and CFR.
Still, challenges persist. Some ultrathin laptops and fanless mini PCs may struggle with thermal performance when running sustained local inference workloads. Additionally, the mixed availability of features like Recall and Voice Access could lead to confusion among buyers—especially if branding outpaces consistency.
With more devices launching, UI changes rolling out, and feature sets expanding, Microsoft is laying the groundwork for Copilot+ to become a default expectation rather than a premium upsell. But its success will ultimately hinge on whether users experience meaningful, reliable benefits in everyday use—and whether Microsoft can deliver those benefits across a fragmented hardware landscape.
