Microsoft Copilot is a free AI assistant for Windows from Microsoft Corporation. The installer link here points to download.microsoft.com, Microsoft's own server. The current build is version 156.0.4314.58, updated on October 30, 2026, and it needs Windows 10 or newer.
Microsoft as publisher of the Copilot app
The developer is Microsoft Corporation, and the package ID is Microsoft.Copilot. The license is proprietary, so the source code is not open and use follows Microsoft's terms.
The app sits in our AI tools category, with tags for assistant, productivity and copilot.
What the assistant is meant to do
The store description presents Copilot as an AI companion for work and daily life. It names four jobs: finding information, creating content, learning new skills and getting more done.
Windows 10 minimum and a 269.6 MB package
The minimum system is Windows 10. The download size is 269.6 MB, which is sizable for a chat-style assistant, so plan for the space and bandwidth.
The app is free. Alternatives in the catalog include ChatGPT, Claude, Ollama, LM Studio and Jan.
Microsoft Copilot pros and cons
Pros
- Free to download
- Distributed from Microsoft's own server, download.microsoft.com
- Published by Microsoft Corporation
- Runs on Windows 10 as a minimum
- Covers search, content creation and learning in one assistant
Cons
- The 269.6 MB download is large for what it does
- Proprietary license, so the code cannot be inspected
- Large download for a chat-style assistant
- Alternatives such as Ollama and LM Studio are not mentioned as local options in this entry
Is Microsoft Copilot safe?
The installer comes straight from download.microsoft.com, and Microsoft Corporation is the publisher. We have not reviewed its security or privacy behavior, so read Microsoft's privacy terms before you sign in or paste in anything sensitive.
How to install Microsoft Copilot
- Press the download button to get the official file.
- Run the installer you saved and confirm the Windows security prompt if the publisher matches.
- Follow the setup steps, then start Microsoft Copilot from the Start menu.
